The Washington times., 1902-01-26

COrcOrdu ftemlCyClt drouScS du oP
timistic enthusiasm that would not
have been possible before the CO.
lumbian Exposition at Chicago. There
was an object lesson Of great value In
the lath and staff splepdor of THE White
CITY," 1t established architectural ideas
that, through familiarity with their
seeming achievement, make any PROPOSE
tion for real achievement on a large
scale less shock to credulity than 1t
otherwise would have been.
To most of us the White City is as real
to the imagination as London, or Paris,
or Berlin. We forget the slight and tenn
porary character of its construction and
remember 1t as an imposing reality. We
shall measure future achievements In
this direction by this consistent and
harmonious presentation of an ideal. But
very shrewdly and wisely. this Commits
sion has given US standards which cam
not be put aside as fine but imprac-
ticable.
The Old World has set pace which we
cannot, as yet, hope to keep step with.
Imperialistic power and the concentra-
tion of wealth in the hands OF few
have made it possible for monarchs to
realize architectural dreams. There Is a
concentration of wealth now In America
that carries with it immense powers for
good or evil Misdirected, it debauches
legisiation; well used-and it often is
well used-it achieves much in such ways
as these we now have under considera-
tion.
But this proposition of the Park Com
mt
pride, to the national imagination, and
makes its demands upon the national
purse. This noble avenue, these imposing
parks, these attractive waterways are
not for the aggrandizement of the indi-
viduaI nor the gloIification of potentate.
The humblest citizen OF the farthest cor
ner of our domains is to be part owner.
1t shall appeal to the pride of any Ameri-
can who is worthy to cast a vote for the
legislator who is to have a hand in its
fulhllment.
There is no lack of pride on the part
of the American citizen in the material
achievements of the nation. We are
proud of our bridges. our tunnels, our
locomotives, our sky-scraping city build
ings, our big farms, our moving ma
chimes, and our big guns and gunneTs.
of our domains; we are proud of our rice
fields and our apple orchards. There is
saving grace in a pride like this. 1t
keeps the brasswork of the locomotives
bright; it straightens the rows in the
cotton fields; it makes the railroad men
walk erect; it makes self-respecting citi-
zens, and. in crucial periods, it develops
into patriotism.
Material achievements.
Our material achievements are fine
basis for our ultimate, more advanced,
achievements We do not greatly respect
the man whose only claim to considera-
tion is his rent rolls, or his bank depos-
it's. The successful financier builds a
palace in park and buys old masters
and fine furniture to gain the credit his
millions do not bring him
Should a nation be less wise than the in
dividual citizen? What heritages have
the nations of the past enriched US with?
We cherish the old Greeks philosophy
and his art, and build museums for the
bric -a-brac of the Orient The art idea
does not crumble and pass away with the
canvas or stone that embodies it. 1t is
kept alive from generation to generation |
Michael Angelo inherits Phidias' thought,
and we are still heirs to the Greek cul-
ture.
1t behooves US then to consider we'll
these problems that call into action the
mutual activities of the race, that re-
lease the mind from the grooves of daily
custom, and bring it into harmony with
the enduring varieties, and these are not
stocks. and shares, or cotton fields and
factories.
To hold our heads well up among our
fellow-men we cultivate the social
graces; to hold our heads wei, up among
the nations of the earth We must con-
slider other things than accumulation or
enlargement. We must build we'll, think
we'll. write well, paint we'll. and love we'll
Those are the enduring qualities that en-
rich mems minds.