Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-04
THE NATIONAL APPALACHIAN
PARK. s.


It takes no argument, nor examine
tion Of witnesses, to establish the
claim of that region embraced In that
section OF the country where Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Ten
nessee and Georgia come together for
mutual admiration. and OF once capti-
vate. astonish and thrill the observer,
With vision of mingled beauty and
grandeur. Nowhere east OF the Rocky
Mountains is there any scenery to COM
pare with its infinite profusion of the
most delightful and impressive aspects
Of nature In amplitude. sublimity,
gorgeousness and never-ending variety.
1t is collocatioh Of mountains, val
leys and skies, of precipice, gorge and
peak, of sleeping and gliding water,
punctuated with dashing falls and cas-
cades. OF vast forests and sunny glades,
OF the romantic and picturesque, where
Burke could have found his best Illus
trations for his essay on the Sublime
and Beautiful" and where in an atmos-
phere so soft and brilliant and per-
fumed, temperature so genial and
invigorating, one finds himself Tapped
in Elysium.
This is no fancy picture. It is the
concensus of all who have visited that
Land of the Sky" and the fact that
a Vanderbilt. with all the world to
choose from, should select 1t for real
izing his dream of a Paradise on earth
in the palatial home he has built there.
surrounded by all the adventurous
aids of arts in tribute to the abound
Ing glory of nature all around is but
an additional testimony to the unsur-
passed and unrivaled attractions of
this grand park, where every sense,
sentiment and senslbility is appealed
to and satisfied, and where five States
combine and emulate one another in
contributions of the lovely, the agree
able and the magnificent.
Yet but few have penetrated to the
inner treasures and pictures and Won
ders OF this marvellous district All
the world have been, to its borders,
and there have been contented to rest,
to enjoy and to praise; but as admir-
able as are these borders, as all agree
there Is more and better and more raw
ishing within, where the magicians OF
the scene have their penetralia, and
reserve their best for the most zeal
Gus and enterprising. Everybody goes
to Ashville. N. c.. and all are familiar
with 1t and Its surroundings; but how
much more there Is beyond! Let us
throw open the whole wonderland, and
let all the world share in ENJOYING 1t.
The Appalachian National Park, Asso-
citation Is already organized for this
purpose and is seeking to interest the
Federal government in 1t.
And what could be more becoming
the national aid and care than this
| grand exposition Of the works OF ma
ture? To preserve and exhibit them to
the present and the future is but the
due service Of our government; 1t is a
| tribute OF gratitude and appreciation
that would disgrace US to withhold
and there are none to begrudge the out
lay that would be necessary to estab.
lish and preserve the park. All sec
tons of the country are interested in
the project; all the people, from Maine
to Texas, from Florida to Alaska, know
the way; and posterlty will justly hold
this generation responsible for the
crime, If. by our default. this glorious
Appalachian Park is lost to America
and the world.