Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-12-07
Beautiful Washington.

Editor The Evening journal.
The majesty Of the scene from the
dome Of Washingtons Capitol con-
veys somewhat Of an idea Of the mag
nitude OF the grandeur that the Capi- !
tai City of a great nation win present
when the comprehensive plans for de-
veloplng and beautfying it shall be
carried on TO completion.
These improvements will be along
the lines Of the original plan Of wash
ington. which is one possessing much |
historical interest, as it was made by
Major Pierre LEnfant, as engineer of |
eminent ability, who was on the staff
of Count D'Estaing, in the War Of In /
dependence.
The plan met the full approval OF
General Washington, and also Of JEFF |
ferson, then Secretary Of State.
Broad parks and avenues. fountains !
and canals, and all that goes to make !
a city magnificent were considered !
necessary by the first President to |
complete the setting Of the National |
Capitol
The plans adopted by Congress a few |
years ago for these improvements
show the Capitol, the White House and |
the Washington Monument as the three
guiding points. The Capitol is to be
faced on three sides by legislative
buildings of dignified and artistic de-
sign of architecture. All the princi-
pal avenues radiate from the Capt.
tol. In front Of which is a great plaza
or square.
Pennsylvania avenue. the "Appian
Way" Of our republic, leads off on the
right to the white House. now restored
20 its original beauty, and which will
be faced on three sides by the new ex-
ecutve buildings. Leading from the
Capitol also is the Mall, which is a
great avenue 1000 feet wide and will
surpass in beauty even the famous
Champs Elysees Of Paris. Down its
centre leading to the Washington Mon
ument, is a wide greensward bordered
by driveways and stately rows of
American elms. This great avenue
opens up a magnificent view to the
I Capitol from the monument. and from
Arlington Heights. The great palatial
buildings which the government must
erect in the future win be placed along
the outer edge of this avenue, and as
seen through the trees their massive
white fronts will present an imposing
appearance.
The Mall broadens out into a beau
ful garden at the Washington Monu-
frnentgnnd in order to make this noble
structure still more impressive the
eardon has been sunk 40 feet below its
ibase and wide ornamental steps lead
down TO the garden.
A terrace carries the upper level
around the garden and shady trees
loverhang its walks From the garden
the White House is seen TO the north.
and the Washington Common and the
lpavilions of the public Fairgrounds to-
ward the South
Beyond the monument the Mall is
transformed into a grand canal. SINH
lar 10 those at Versailles and Foun-
tainebleau, in France. and Hampton
Court in England
The canal leads on through a park
to the Lincoln memorial. A grand
bridge is proposed leading to the beau
tiful hills across the Potomac. and the
entire District Of Columbia has been
planned out in a similar way.
The new union station, now in course
of construction, will be of an imposing
and artistic design and with its broad
plaza will harmonic with the plan
for adjoining the city.
The view at present from the dome
Of the Capitol is one of sublime gran
deur while that from Arlington
Heights, on the Virginia side of the Po-
tomac, as the sun descends in the west
beyon thecity is most charming So
that in future years the scene will be
more than enchanting.
Il was a cherished dream of the
Father OF his Country. to see the Cap
ital City. that was to bear his name.
become the seat Of a great university.
And is not his dream now being real
lied In the groups Of noble buildings
standing IN its environ hills. that will
be the Athenian centre CT scence. art
and literature for the American Re-
public?
Among these groups are Georgetown,
Columbia and the Catholic University.
Then there are also academies and
converts amid sylvan environments for
the higher culture of young women.
Georgetown University, conducted by
the Jesuit Fathers. is beautifully situ-
ated on the heights overlooking the
city and is next 10 Harvard as the old
est classical institution founded IN the
United States. The Alumni OF this
university have always attained emil
hence in Church and State in the arts
and sciences, and not a few in the
army and navy.
The first century OF Washington as the
Capital Of the United states when cons
pared with the great CAPITALS of Europe
with their centuries OF historical achieve
ments, their great universities, Their sub.
lime cathedrais and lasilicas. ana their
matchless works Of art. has been enc Of
marvellous progress, and IN thu centurle,
to come may surpass all Of them.
When, perchance. the astronc mcrs sal
Fash electric messages from the observ.
atory OF Georgetown University to al.
inhabitants OF Mars ana 20 those OF Other
vet undiscovered planets. And when, frcn
Panama to the Arctic Sea the flag OF III.
erty shan float in peace over hundred
iudestructible sovereign States, compon.
ent PARTS Of one great indissolubie I'm.
ion, with the Asiatic and the negro race.
each gathered together its own lccl
Sovereignty. yet bound together as ono
undivided nation
The conflict Of races has been prscipi.
tated upon Us in the vain attempt TO give
political expression 20 the beautiful Che.
CRY Of human equality.
This demands that we be just TO thes,