The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-07-17
THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY
ANOTHER WASHINGTON PAPER FAVORS
The PROPOSITION
Looks Like a Sure Thing---No OppOSi-
tion From Any Quarter

Last week we gave much space to
the proposition to build grand bou,e-
ward, with a trolley line on the side,
from Washington to Gettysburg by
way of Westminster. This project has
met with such a favorable reception
in every quarter that it may now be
looked upon as almost certainty,
and the only question left for specu-
latiOn is as to the time in which the
road may be built. This is principally
a matter of money. The u miles to
be built may be given to 5, 10 or 20
contractors. 1t is not likely that it
will be completed in less than 2 years,
and 1t may be more than that. The
assurance that We are to get it, how
ever, will be of great benefit to West
minister and Carroll county from the
moment Congress passes the bill.
Land values will increase, home seek
erS will become more numerous, and
all our people will feel the stimulus
of being connected with the national
capital by this great artery of traffic.
We give below an editorial from
the Washington Herald of July 8:
1t is to be hoped that the very un-
conventional recommendation to the
Lincoln Memorial Commission ar-
pointed by Congress may not, by its
striking originality put it beyond the
pale of consideration. AS the memoir
al is to be in Washington or it's vicin-
ty, already the home of the magnli-
cent Washington Monument it was
eminently desirable that the new me-
mortal should be as unlike the monu-
nent to Washington as possible. And
so comes the recommendation that
the memorial to Lincoln take the form
of u mile road, running from
Washington to Gettysburg battlefield,
the spot where Lincoln delivered his
immortal address. 1t is proposed to
make it model of road building, and
there is suggested the practicability
of adorning it along its length with
minor memorials of Lincoln's career,
and making it artistically expressive
of what the martyred President did
for the Union.
To an age used to towering shafts,
to rounded domes and memorial arch
es, the idea of a monument level
with the earth will seem monstrously
radical at first blush, and yet there
must be few thinking men who have
not wondered why the expensive mon
umentS to national heroes could not
have a utilitarian as well as an es-
thetic value. In the proposed road,
art and utility, could go hand in hand
With such road from Washington to
Gettysburg, that field, now a bit diff
ficult of access, would be visited by
thousands where now dozens see it
And Gettysburg battlefield with it's as
sOciatiOn with the memories of Lin
coin. has a lesson that we'll might he
! impressed deeply on the hearts of all
true Americans.
Nor is it so unusual as it might
seem, this plan of building a road as
a memorial. Travel through England
and France and Germany and as you
ride over roads so solid that they seem
made for eternity, you realize that
these are monuments to that great
road builder and conqueror, Julius
Caesar. The Lincoln road from Wash
ington to Gettysburg would be a per-
petual inspiration; continuing and
daily honor to the memory of a great
American. 1t would give joy, not
alone to the cultured but to all men
who have in their souls to travel q
fine road and realize the beauties OF
natures setting. Such a road would
be a great joy to thousands Of people
now living and yet to follow after, and
| it would make the visit to Gettysburg
in some sort pilgrimage, reminding
us for all time of the price our fathers
paid for liberty, and of how they
wrought under the leadership Of Lin
coin, to arm this nation in perfect
union against, any perils that might
chance.