Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
The Stars Half Century.

Fifty years ago today The Star assumed
its modest place In the local newspaper
armament 1t could not then be called
fixed star. Many sparks of journalistic
light had appeared here only to flicker out
after a brie- period Of more or less bril-
hancy. But fortune favored the newcomer.
Governed bye principles of devotion 10 the
local welfare The Star finally shone with
steady light FOR the Illumination of the path
of duty wh9sh the nation should tread in
caring for it3 ward, the District OF Column
bia. and today, at the completion of its first
half century. it feels that 1t has won the re-
gard and support of the people of WASH
ington chiefly because Of its unwavering
championship OF the interests OF the ma
tonal capital.
1t is gratifying today. on a birthday oc-
casion like this. for The Star to look back
over years of accomplishment as a factor
In capital building. They have been years
of struggle, with periods Of difficulty and
doubt as well as of triumph. Closely united
as they have been, the story of the paper
and the story of the capital have pass ed
through chapters of dependency. But
there Is no doubt now, no question of the
victory which has been won in the cam
paign for the creation on the Potomac of
great city, honored of the world and as
sured of wonderful future.
In other portions of today's anniversary
number The Star tells the story of various
phases of the struggle for the evolution of
the capital. Reading these articles
whole the true significance of The Stars
material Success may be clearly seen.
Washington is today far different from the
Washington upon which The Star cast it's
first feeble rays in 1852. The nation nas
passed through the severest trial which can
confront a united people. 1t has entered
upon a per cd of Notwithstanding pros
perty. 1t las spread its influences far be-
yond the seas which in 1852 bounded the
activities of the republic.
The Star Lelieves that ii has aided in the
evolution of today's Washington as type
of the great national growth and expan-
sion Its own development has been closely.
connected with that Of the nations city,
and has accompanied its advance at every
step. Today this capital stands a po-
litical center, as an educational center, as
an art center, as a literary center. That it
is not also Conspicuously industrial CEN
ter in the sense that the phrase applies to
some of the country's busiest cities is be-
cause of the proper Limitation which the
presence here of the national government
imposes. But Washington is no drone, and
one large section Of today's birthday issue
affords convincing proof that the capital is
Industrious Its citizens progressive, public
spirited and prosperous, and alert to utilize
their business opportunities. 1t is pleasing
TO reflect in this connection that few other
cities can boast of such an intelligent citi-
zenship, so helpful in emergencies so ready
to respond when the welfare of the entire
community calls for union of effort.
To the extent to which II has assisted in
the grand work of capital-making on a
national scale The Star feels that it has
been helpful as well to the nation Through
out its efforts for the adequate develop
ment Of the capital 1t has been guided by
the thought that the republic would be
benefited morally and materially, by the es-
tabishment here of a worthy symbol of its
greatness. by the creation of an accurate
exponent of its progress and prosperity.
The Star has, therefore, at all times sought
to represent not only the Washington idea,
but through it. and above 1t. the American
idea. and its policies with reference to fed
eral affairs have been steadfastly guided
accordingly.
No more comforting, stimulating encour-
aging birthday thought Is possible to The
Star today than that its half-century of
growth reflects the steady upward tendency
OF the national capital and the United
States. 1t could not have fiourished had
local and national conditions been unwhole-
some and retrogressive. 1t could not today
point to the externals of it's success with
confidence and pride II 1t did not believe
that they are the signs of substantial
growth on the part of both nation and cap
stal. And II The Star has helped through its
own endeavors in the raising of the stand
ard of local or national thought it Is graft
ned to believe that 1t was not In vain that
nifty years ago an enterprising Washing
eonian was inspired to print the modest little
sheet whose reproduction forms an inter-
esting feature Of todays great issue.