Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-15
AN AMERICAN vALHALLA.
Proposed Hall of Fame to Contain
Bodies Of the Great.

The arrival of the remains of James
Smithson in this country has directed at
tention again to the fact that in this coun-
try there is no national memorial hall
where the remains of the great soldiers,
statesmen or scholars can be laid away and
their tombs visited by their friends and fol-
lowers. There are many national Gene
teries for the burial of the soldier dead,
but there is no place where the bodies of
the great men of the country whose claim
to fame does not come through force OF
arms can repose where all ages ana all
people can them. AS rule the IA
nous men of the country are buried In
some place designated by them or their rel
atives. Thus, Washington rests peacefully
on the banks of the PotomaS, below this
city; Lincoln sleeps i'll Springfield, III, the
body of Garfield is in Cleveland: James
Monroe's remains are at Richmond, Va.
and the other dead Presidents are Inferred
in other sections of the country. Many men
and women who have given much to the
United States are inferred in graves ull-
known. The body of Mary Washington,
mother of George Washington, for time
rested beneath a tangled mass of weeds in
lonely spot in Westmoreland county, Va.
the last resting place Of the remains of
Francis Scott Key, author of The Star
Spangled Banner are not known to this
day, although several persons have claimed
to know the spot. And so on through a
long list of men and women who hold con-
spicuous places in the history of the United
States will be found the names of those
whose tombs are unknown.
The question of the disposal of the re-
mains of James Smithson seems to offer
some solution of the problem, and will
probably lead to "a better adjustment of
things. The United States government has
the body on it's hands and is not interfered
with by relatives. 1t will be compelled to
provide place for its reception, and q
place that will be commensurate with the
greatness of the man and his deeds. James
Smithson was not an American citizen. He
was an Englishman, and the British people
Will look to the United States to give the
remains of her distinguished son as con-
spicuous a place In its mortuary records
as she would give one who had done as
much for her.
A proposition has been advanced to use
the Smithsonian Institution as a memorial
building, and to place therein the remains
OF the distinguished dead of the country. 1T
has gained many friends throughout the
country. 1t is proposed to make the jnsti-
tuition building something akin 10 West
minister Abbey, and to place therein the
bodies of the great. The matter was adj
vanccd in connection with Smithson's body
and naturally it has broadened to a much
wider scope
The consideration of providing a fitting
receptacle for Smithsons remains has d-
rected attention to the Smithsonian build
ing itself fitting mausoleum to inclose
the Dody OF such man. 1t has been sug-
gested that no other tomb is necessary. and
that the body could be placed in the chapel
or under the floor of one of the public
rooms of the building. To build a tomb,
erect mausoleum or shaft in honor of
his memory would be an Unnecessary ex-
penditure it is claimed. when the plan of
placing the remains permanently in the
building could be carried out economical Ily.
without disturbing the order of things.
These suggestions have been made to the
proper authorities. it is understood, and
Will be given proper consideration.