Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-14
Mr.. MERGERS SUPPORT
GIVEN FREELY $40 G. A. r. EN-
CAMP1EENT.
Veterans All Anxious to Attend
Capital is an 0hject Lesson
City Sure 10 Grow.

Representative Dave" Mercer is regard
ed in Washington as'one of the best friends
of the District of Columbia in the House,
position which has been confirmed recent
ly by his ardent fight for local municipal
building. For several years Mr.. Mercer
devoted himself to this cause persistently,
and. while compelled to give way from time
to time, was never discouraged.
In conversation with Star reporter this
morning he expressed himself as confident
that Washington had a Larger future than
any city in America not absolutely depen-
dent on commercial and industrial life. "
The expansion of American territory and
the consequent growth of trade would
doubtless increase the number of perma-
nent Offices in the capital city, and the i'm
pulse given all enterprises which sought
markets abroad would thus prove of grea
benefit to Washington.
You can put me down as a steadfast
friend of the District he said MY peo-
pie are anxious to have me do everything
to beautify and adorn it. They take an in
teIest not only in their country, but in its
capital. Indeed, if many more come here
during the sessions of Congress than have
visited me this winter l shall be compelled
II employ guide to show them the sights
of the city.
I'VE have an opportunity a Washington
to demonstrate the fact that there are
SIDES the accumulation of money, and it is
significant. as We walk through the streets
OF this magnificent city to notice that some
or the greatest results which have been
memorialized by a grateful nation have rot
been achieved by men who have secured
their position and prominence by means of
wealth Brains predominant here as in the
hearts of the people. Wealth is mere in
cldent 1t is good, but it is not the object
lesson to hold up to the American youths
Tor the inspiration of their highest efforts.
Capital City's Best Friends.
washington has no better friends than
the old soldier. l have been touched by
their references to the city and also to
the coming encampment. They look to this
point as the one from which victory was
achieved in 1865, and from which the armies
of the Union were disbanded and sent
throughout the country to resume and build
up business occupations which had been
neglected du ing the civil struggle.
Many of the soldiers were young men
who have gone from eastern states into
the far west. They form a large and in
fuential percentage of the population of
my own state and district. They are active
in politics. They love their country. They
were taught the spirit of the republic early
in life and take an active interest in it's
affairs. They read everything that concerns
its welfare with profound interest.
Il know you will have a great attend
ance here. My people will come in force
The state of Nebraska{fias very different
feeling toward the national capital than
It had IN 1892, and its representatives in
congress cannot do too much by any action
or vote they may give toward making the
encampment a great success. / hope your
people will all cooperate enthusiastically
in welcoming the soldiers of the Grand
Army and their friends,in October, This en-
terprise will be of the greatest possible
value In every way. looking at it from pure
ly selfish and commercial standpoints.
You may comma nd me for anything I
may say or do and the sentiments | ex-
press are shared by a very large number
of my colleagues"