Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-08


in architecture and style of living as
is to be found in Washington. Here
many striking examples are to be seen
OF one of the fundamental principles of
the republic-that all men are created
equal and have the inalienable right-to
live, how. where and in what style best
pleases them.
Going back to the early days of the
town. when the Capitol building was the
center OF fashionable residential life. far
away to Meridian Hill stretched vacant
lots, where cows. goats and geese roamed
at will. few-a very few-paIatial
homesteads dotted what is now the FASH
ionable northwest. From the CAPITOL
away to the east and south were to be
found many beautiful homes, with their
outlying slave quarters. Homes that de-
scended from one generation to the next.
and over which hung the air of perma-
nent family dignity.
Then the civil war came, and with 1t
the soldiers who roamed from one end of
the town to the other. Then followed
ten years Of apathetic standstiIl so far
as progress or development were con-
cerned. During this period came that in
hux OF thousands of negroes to Washing
ton lor the forty acres Of ground and a
mule which they expected to be given
them as substantial proof that thew
were free and Independent citizens of the
hatlon. In years that succeeded little
nuts went up to the north of the town
ootting the fields and vacant lots like
mushrooms. When the trend of growth
1oifowlng the rule Of all the cities of the
Atlantic coast. started to the northwest
these novels were gradually supplanted.
and only here and there have their own
ers withstood the tempting money offers
made them for their homes.
In the older sections Of the town the
contrast between the large and small
homes Is less noticeable. for the reason
that houses recently erected are of mod
crate size. adapted to the new order of
things. when no nimble-fo footed slave hovs
are TO be had to clean wide halls and DOL
ish brass and wood work Over this Sec
tons hangs an air of disnified acceptance
OF the new order of things and one finds
an oio succeed house. formerly the scene
OF stateiy hospitality. occupied by three
or Tour negro families. its former owners
either dead and gone or living within a
stones throw Of the old shell in a smaller
nome, or possibly following the tide OF
emigration to the far northwest
II Is In this section with It's superb mod.
ern mansions that the contrasts are gro.
tesque and almost pathetic. In a street
nned on either side. as far as the eve can
see, with modern residences, is to be seen
frame shanty with its erassless front
yard, guardian peach tree and countless
pickamnnies. nesting as IL for protection
against dignifled stone mansion. Strange
TO say, the most amicable relations exist
pe'"een these two homes. so antipodal in
every respect. The owner of the mansion
WIN pause on his way to his automobile
tor pleasant word or to listen to a story
from the dark-skinned dweller in the cabin
next his home. Or the sportily clad son
OF the larger house will joyously greet the
pickaninny across the way whose chief
article OF dress Is pair of blue jean over
ais held up with scanty security by one
strap.
oh another residence street is to be
seen the Chinese laundry. with its mig.
tailed celestial bobbng behind the half
curfained window. side by side with the
residence of prosperous merchant. Just
wnen the Chinaman first sifted into Wash
ihgton no one knows. OF his coming there
Is no record, but here he is. a part of the
great pulsating mass which makes I'D the
hfeblood of the capital
Much has been said about the China.
man and as much more written-of their
opium Joints. gambling horrible secret So
cieties. saualid manner of living, and all
mat goes to feed morbid imagination
out OF their true life little. is known. If