The Democratic advocate., 1908-08-14
THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL BOULE-
WARD.

VAkD.
The idea of building a great and
magnificent boulevard from Washing
ton to Gettysburg, by the general gov
ernment, as memorial to the late
President Lincoln, has excited great
deal of interest, and has been the sub
ject of favorable comment, both by the
press and by the people generally.
The centennial of Mr. Lincolns
birthday will occur on the 18th OF
February next, and it is regarded a
fitting thing to have, if possible, the
bill authorizing the work to be done,
and making suitable appropriation
for it, enacted into law and receive
the Presidents signature on that day.
Such a memorial to the late dis
tinguished President seems in every
way proper. 1t would be commend
able thing in the general government,
to show it's appreciation of the SER
vice Mr.. Lincoln rendered to the coun-
try, by building this great highway to
his memory. Such an act would be
in exact keeping with what we be-
lieve were the tastes of Mr.. Lincoln.
He was a plain man of the people,
and yet withal one of the greatest
Americans the country has produced
And to build this great thoroughfare
for the use of the people would, we be-
lieve, if he could Speak, be much pre-
ferred by him over the finest monu-
mental shaft.
Congressman Lafean, of Pennsyl-
vania, conceived the idea of this mem
orial boulevard, and says he will en-
deavor to pass a bill at the coming
session of congress making an ap-
preparation for the work. z.s.--
The bill which he proposes will
bring the great highway through Car
roll county to Westminster. and
thence to Gettysburg, and the road will
be about 72 miles long. 1t is stated
in the public press that Congressman
Pearre, of the Sixth Congressional
District, will offer an amendment to
Mr.. Lafeans bill, which, if adopted,
would take the road through Mont
gomery and Frederick counties, reach
ing Frederick, and then to Gettys
burg. This route would be 10 or II
miles farther than the Westminster
line.
The building of this road would be
done in the best and most substan-
tial manner, and be forever main
tained by the general government,
and if passing through our county,
making Westminster one of its points,
would be of inestimable value to our
people.
1t behooves our business men and
the public spirited citizens of our
county to stir themselves and see
that the route be not diverted from
that originally intended, and which
can be shown to be the best.
Our county, and Westminster in
particular, was made historic during
the battle of Gettysburg. The first
encounter between the Federal and
Confederate cavalry in the Gettysburg
campaign occurred in our streets
Westminster was the base of supplies
for the army of the Potomac during
the battle. The Sixth Army Corps
passed through the streets of our city
on their way to the Gettysburg Bat
tlefield. Prisoners were brought bacl
here, and the remains of number
of the Federal dead of the battle were
brought to Westminster and forward
ed to their former homes.
So that Westminster was closel!
connected with the great battle o
Gettysburg, and as it is in an almos
direct line between Washington ant
Gettysburg, it would seem most natu
raj and business-like, that this rout'
should be taken. 1t would, moreover