New Ulm review., 1908-09-02
The Lincoln Way
A National Memorial.
Former Congressman McCeary Offers Striking Sugges,
ton in Connection with Centennial Celebra-
ton Of Lncolns Birth.


the essence of this memorial, instinct
with the spirit of him whom it is to |
commemorate. That there will be a
maintenance cost is ia harmony with
the governing idea. And it would be
entirely fitting that this cost of main
tenance should be borne out of the na-
tional treasury. But it is the opinion
of experts who have been consulted
that, in view of the hundreds of thou
sands of tourists who may be expected
to make the trip from Washington to
Getty sburg yearly, the road can be
made largely, if not wholly, self-sus-
tanning. If, when the roadway is be-
ing constructed, the tracks for the
electric lines be laid as part of the
general construction, it is believed
that the use of these tracks can be
leased for considerable sum of
money annually to an operating com
pany which would furnish its own
rolling stock. This arrangement,
while furnishing transportation at
rates within the reach Of every one,
would provide from a proper source
the actual users of the road - in
come for its maintenance. In addi-
ton, considerable income could be
derived from special licenses for the
running of public and private auto
mobiles over this road.
Lincoln's fame is inseparably con-
nected with the preservation Of the
union of the United States. This road
would cross the famous Mason and
Dixon line, formerly the dividing line
between the north and the south. The
road would, therefore, serve as we'd
ding ring for the sections once tenn
porarily discovered symbol of
the union to which Lincoln dedicated
his life.
Imagine two-hours ride in the
morning over that magnificent road
from Washington to Gettysburg, thru
beautiful Maryland and Pennsylvania,
with the Blue Ridge mountains in
sight part of the way. Imagine even
six to eight hours spent at the worldre-
nowned battlefeld-park, seeing Round
Top and Little Round Top, Seminary
Ridge and it's famous theological
seminary, Cemetery hill and Culp's
hill, the Chambersburg pike and the
Emmetsburg road, the Peach orchard
and the Apple orchard, the wheat
fields and DEVILS den, ''High Tide
at Gettysburg'' and other noted spots,
traversing the ground where the First
Minnesota won eternal fame, and
following the sweep of Pickett's won
drous charge. Imagine the visit to
Gettysburg ended by standing for a
time reverently where fLincoln de-
livered his immortal speech, at the
''fnal resting placeNfor those who
here gave their lives that the nation
might live," and the day closed by
the return trip to Washington in the
evening. What a observation-disclosures
ten day that would be! Imagine such
trip being taken by hundreds of
thousands of Americans every lyear!
Can any one measure the mental and
moral uplift, the exaltation of spirit,
the deepening and strengthening of
patriotic sentiment and devotion to
public duty that would result? Would
not the inspiration thus secured render
it more certain that government OF
the people, by the people andifor the
people shall not perish from the
earth?'
If it were possible to consult. Abra-
ham Lincoln himself as to the charac-
ter of memorial that would be most
pleasing to him, can any;sone doubt
what his answer wouldsbe?-
Postmaster General ames T. McClea.
ry in the Sept. Review of3Reviews.