Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-18
Grant and Washington Memorials
To the Editor Of Tho

Grant and Washington Memorials.
To the Editor of The Star:
Mr.. l.. j. Woollen. auditor ,f swi,,a-
land county, Ind, in letter to The Star
today March H. zoos. asks fit would
not De better to place the statue of Grant
SO that every old veteran visiting the
capital OF the nation might see the me-
mortal of the great general as soon as he
steps outside the Union station?' This
is patriotic plea. There is great army
like him-the old veterans, and the sons
of veterans and others. Mr. Woollen fur
ther asks If the authorities reflected that
II the statue were placed near the Union
station twice as many strangers would
see il than If placed in the Bontaic Gar
dem Such is in line with my own hum
Bile plea. printed in The Star December
%, 1907, follows:
Patriotism is the love of fireside. Of
home, of country. Patriotism is a prin.
ciple. sentiment or practical in appiica-
ton. constructive. or of defense or pres
ervation of the fundamental institutions
upon which We have built and upon
which we stand. Patriotism Is the
barometer which catches the way the
wind blows for good or for bad in mat
tiers of state. 1t is our duty to watch with
"A jealous eye the present: the future will
then take care of itself. or the past we
us our liberties and the Constitution guar
anteeing them, and the saviors of them
when in peril. And among the grea test
of these was Grant His monument OF
patriotism built should be q grand one, in
keeping with his high place in the galaxy
of the greatest Of the nation. His monu-
ment should be in the public eye. In cast
ing about for fitting spot l know of
none better than the public place In front
of the Union depot. There the incoming
and outgoing millions for ages to come
will behold 1t. There should stand monu-
ments of Washington. the father. and
Lincoln. the savior of the countrywide
utes to men who are flesh and blood. bone
and sinew of the nation; to whom the ma
tion owes its being. and TO such men
patriotism builds monuments-monument
by the whole people. And our monuments
to such men should be put in public
places. not in unfrequented spots as that
of the proposed site in the Botanic Gar
dent to Grant.
II is food for reflection that Congress to-
day seems bent on hiding memorials of the
great who made or saved the nation. AS
1t hides Grant in the Botanic Garden, 1t
puts Washington out of sight. Who Is re.
sponsibIe and what is the motive? Green
Rlgh'S Washington. an exquisite work OF
art placed where it is by statesmen. q
landmark for nearly century In the eye
of millions witnessing the Inauguration Of
a score of Presidents. is to be put aside
out OF sight, by politicians Nnat VIII
20 up in its place. Perhaps memorial
10 one who never had any relation with
this nation.
I feel very happy that Mr.. Woollen sees
the value of placing memorials of men
who have wrought for the nation in the
public eye on the public square in from,
OF the Union station. In knowing Swift
zerland county. Indiana, know Mr.. Wool
len. and whoever knows Switzerland coun'
ty knows one Of natures most beauti
full landscapes. 1t is said the early Swiss
settlers named il after their fatherland. Ir
all Indiana the people are patriotic and
none more so than in Switzerland county
Congress Is moved bv petition. The old
veterans and sons OF veterans of Switzer-
gress to place the Grant memorial on the
public square before the Union station.
ANDREW JORDAN GREEN.