The Washington times., 1901-12-22
NOBLE TRIBUTE TO
NATIONS FOUNDERS
A MEMORIAL HALL IN THIS CITY
Erection of Great Temple Of Fame
Contemplated by the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
Magnificent Structure.

The erection OF memorial continental
Hall in this city Is in contemplation by
the National Society OF the Daughters OF
the American Revolution. The purOse of
the proposed structure is indicated in its
/ name: for while it will serve as the head
quarters OF the society, it viii also per-
! petuate the memory and honor the
achievements OF the founders of American
liberty.
No definite conclusion has been reached
regarding site or style of architecture
and, according TO one of the officers OF
the society, these questions will probably
! only be determined at the next annual
Congress Of the Daughters in this city
in February, 1892. 1t is authoritatively
| stated, however. that the style Of archi
lecture employed will be either Grecian
or old colonial. Tie hall WILL it is said,
contain an auditorium accommodating at
least j,CO0 people, with reception rooms.
Offices, etc. adjoining. which can be used
| in conjunction with The work OF the in
Vulnerable societies and organizations
that annually meet al the National Capt.
tai. A Hall of Ancestors viii be one Of
its features. containing statues. memorial
tablets, and relics of revolutionary pa
4 triots.
To Resemble the NalhnIIa.
The proposed structure will be in fact
a monument serving a utilitarian purpose
as well. 1t is designed to make It one OF
the grandest memorials in existence,
somewhat after the model of those in Eu-
! l.,
architecture the triumrhs of nations and
individuals. These Eurorean monuments
are mostly the work OF Kings who have
thus sought TO perpetuatc their fame.
The Walhalla, however, built by Lud-
wig l Of Bavaria, IS a temple OF fame
consecrated to the memory Of all German
| heroes. and it Is this magnificent mcnu-
Elent which the Continental Hail will in
| all probability most closely resemble. The
Walhalla is of nearly the same dimen-
sions as the Parthenon of ancient Athens,
and is built Of marble. By means OF
| statues, busts, reliefs, and tablets the
mythology and history of Germany arc IL
| lustrated, and he7 greatest names COM
memorated.
in Paris, also built in imitation Of a Greek
temple, was originally designed By Ma
| poleon ! as a hall of fame to commem-
crate his victories. The Pantheon. at
! Paris, was converted. By the constituent
assembly OF republican France, into a
| temple dedicated to the great men Of
the nation. and this purpose. In an ap-
propriately subordinate measure, f serves
today.
The Roman Pantheon. FIRST para- en-
pie, now a Christian church, serves also
to arouse the pride Of the italians in
the great men of their nation Vest
minister Abbey IS a glorious memorial OF
| the genius and patriotism Of England.
Indeed. the citation Of monuments Of
the most magnificent description which
| have been erected TO tell the glorles OF
a nation might be continued at great
| length.
Concentrating Great Heroes.
It is apparent that no noblcr instance
Of human heroism and triumph in the
great cause Of liberty can be recalled than
the American Revolution. 1t was the
keynote Of reform in government through
cut the world ana demonstrated that the
right. rigidly adhered TO. in the heat Of
action as in the deiiberation Of council
is certain to triumph over injustice and
inhumanity.
That there exists no monuments 10 the
patriots OF the Revolution is not sur
prising when one reflects on their m0desiy
and lack Of vainglory. The triumphs of
war were soon lost in those Of peace
which they gave rise to. and the carnage
and destruction Of the battlefield were
forgotten in the work OF upba!lding a
| great nation.
Washington himself, after reluctantly
serving as President, retired 10 con-
| genial rustic retreat. and II was many
years after his death that his couDtrymeH
erected to his memory The grand o5elisk
| that looks over the river he loved so well.
There was no seeking after recognition
or fame BY anyone among that devoted
band Of heroes who laid the formulation
OF this nations splendor; and it is onls'
now. after the lapse Of more than cen
tury, that the graceful task OF aclSnowl-
edging their services appeals TO the ma
tion which owes It's origin TO their pa
| triotism.