Evening star., 1901-03-18
AN AMERICAN PANTHEON
GREAT HALL OF MEMORY FOR THE
COUNTRY,s HEROES.
should Be Erected On Observatory
Hill, the POtOmac's
Bank.

| To the Editor of The Evening Star:
| 1 suggest the erection at no distant day
| OF a national pantheon to aid in the per-
! petuation of the memory of noble deeds
a form of gratitude commencing in the
| early ages, and which will doubtless con-
! tinue to the end of time. This structure
should by preference be located on reser-
vation No. 4-old Observatory HILL" for
| merly called Camp HILL from it's occu-
pancy by our District troops in 1914, and
previous to that Windmill HILL" from a
large octagon mill erected by DR.. Bruff,
father of the late Joseph Goldsboro Bruff.
The building should be placed on the brow
of the hill, exactly opposite 2lth street,
which terminates at the center of the north
side of the grounds.
1t is not intended to be a place of Sepul-
ture but q repository for inscribed me
mortal urns and pedestrian statues of very
distinguished persons who have been con-
spicuous in great acts of craftsmanship,
philanthropy and courage, resulting in last
ing benefits to our country.
Its SPECIFIC character and sacred purpose
should remove all objection to it's location
on this spot, which We may hope will some
day not remote be occupied by elegant uni
versty buildings, as suggested by our
greatest of all leaders, General Washing
ton, whose propositions as to reservations
were no doubt the guide OF Major l. En-
FAINT, the accomplished engineer who SO
skilifuly and tastefully projected the beau
tiful plan of our loved city of Washington.
l have sketch of such a structure. made
during leisure hours, which, in the hands
of an able and experienced architect, and
constructed of pure white marble, selected
by men of judgment and experience in ma
ter1al, and carefully and solidiy built under
capable, faithful and inCOrruptible super
vision would give us one of the most
elegant of our very attractive public build
ings, If carefully guarded and preserved
from the hand of the spoilcr and desecrator
who is so prone in our free country to lay
hold of sacred objects to secure and specu-
late in valuable mementos.
The great elevation of the ground at this
place, together with the height of the
building would make such q structure a
very conspicuous object from all points
within the District of Columbia the ma
tion's capital, destined to be the Mecca of
the people of the United States of America
end all intelligent and liberal travellers of
the entire world. Our best architectural
efforts are models, and were declared by
the distinguished man under whose care
the Prince of Wales, now Edward VII,
visited this city during Mr.. Buchanan's )
term as President, 1857 to 1861. At a lee
ture by him in London soon after his re-
turn to England, he said, among other
things impressing him, when Europe
wants a model for a capital. she will find
a fitting one at Washington. This was a
matter of publication In the newspapers of
the day. If due care is taken in the plan
ming, selection of materials and construc-
ton of our prominent buildings in the fu-
tUre, our city will undoubtedly be a very
attractive place
The great size Of reservation four, ex-
tending as 1t does east and west from 23d
tC 25th streets, and north and south from
E street to our noble Potomac, would give
ample room without crowding for several
large university buildings, and leave gen.
erous space for adornment with grass.
shrubbery and promenades. The view of
the grand old river from the crown OF
the grounds, both up and down it's course.
is very fine. IT takes N the stream west
ward for about two miles above George
town, and southwark some sixteen miles,
down to Fort Washington, and includes in
the vista the Maryland hills east and south
east, together with those of Virginia on
the west and southwest, embracing the
now sacred spot. Arlington the silent city
of dead heroes who aided in saving our
country from the dissolution deprecated by
Daniel Webster in his ever memora BILE
words. "Our country, the Union. one and
indivisible now and forever" The pano-
rama is superb one, not yet familiar to
the general public. To me it has been very
attractive from my earliest recollection.
The pantheon is a worthy theme and I
hope the public will echo and re-echo it's
desirability. VIM w. BIRTH.