Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-26
The National Memorial.

The formalitieS OF organization are ho"
virtually concluded blythe Mckinley Me-
mortal Arch Association and practical
stems toward the accomplishment Of its
purpose are about to be taken. The plans
have been laid with great care to ensure
the national character of the enterprise,
appealing to the sentiment of the whole
country in behalf of a structure to be
erected in this city which will typify the
virtues and the services of the late Pres
Ident and the esteem in which they are
held by the American people. No protest
is to be heard anywhere against the Idea
OF erecting such memorial In this city.
On all sides It is recognized that here,
where Mckinley attained his fame as
statesman, where he served his country
best, where he lived in his last great days,
where will always be maintained the SYM
bols of the authority vested in him and
exercised by him for the benefit of all his
countrymen, should be erected an enduring
token of appropriate character, size and
cost. There Is no conflict between this
movement and that which aims at the
construction of a suitable memorial tomb
at Canton, his personal home, while living,
and his resting place now that he is dead.
The latter enterprise appeals not only to
his fellow citizens of Ohio, but In some
measure to all the people, and will doubt
less be pushed to success: but the truly
national expression of grief and gratitude,
the memorial in which all Americans will
feel a direct personal interest must nee
essarily be erected at the federal capital,
the city of the nation
The citizens of Washington must regard
themselves from the outset as in GER
tain degree responsible for the success
of this project however broadly national
It may become. The actual management
will be chiefly in the hands of their own
representatives. From them will spread
the spirit of giving which must be aroused
on every side and among all classes to en-
sure an adequate response. The appeal
will be first heard by them, and in the
proportion that they answer substantially
the success of the movement will be en-
sured. Washington, having established
a generous nucleus for the fund, can then
say confidently to the country: Follow
this example" Here then will be one of
the first great opportunities for the Dis
trict to demonstrate it's enterprise and gen.
eIosity to forward a grand national pro-
Ject.
The plan of a memorial arch will ap-
appeal more and more forcibly to the peo-
pie as the idea is exploited abroad.
forces which are to be utilized in this con-
nection will ensure complete canvass.
The people are to be approached individual
ly and through their associations. AS wo-
men holding in high reverence William
Mekinley's noble devotion to his wife; as
churehmen thankful for the elevating ex-
ample set by his pure personal life; as
business men and workingmen grateful for
his adherence to policies productive Of pros
perity: as veterans of the couDtrys wars
faithful to his memory as soldier and as
commander-in-chief; as patriots in tribute to
the steadfast love Of country which al
ways guided his actions; as school chill
dren to whom the life of that great man
will always prove an inspiration.
Washingtonians will give in memory Of
a fellow-citizen, a staunch friend of the
best interests of the seat of government;
a personal associate distinguished through
out the world. The closest of ties bind all
here to William Mckinley's memory, and
when some day the noble structure now
held in mind as the product of this pres
ent enterprise rises TO completion the peo-
pie of the District will be able to look upon
it with love and personal interest, as the
sign of the nations appreciation, suggested
and secured through their initiative AID
example,