Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-21
THE LINCOLN ROAD
Argument for Memorial High
way to War President.
CAPITAL TO GETTYSBURG
Neither Statue Nor Building AIDE
quate Monument.
STORY OF THE APPIAN WAY
How Lincoln Should Be Honored at
Washington on the Centenary
of His Birth.
CAPITAL TO GETTYSBURG
STORY OF THE APPIAN WAY

James T. McCleary. in American Review of Re
views.
II is hard to realize that in few
months it will be a hundred years since
Abraham Lincoln was born Men by no
means old have seen him and talked with
him We think of him as he appeared
when President. In the minds of the peo-
pie he remains a middle-aged man. 1t
requires some mental effort for us TO
realize that the 10Th of February next
will be the centennial of his birth.
And how that centennial will be cele-
brated, In all parts of the country his
eulogies will be spoken. From pulpit and
PLATFORM by quiet firesides and around
banquet boards. will be told again the
story of his inspiring life. The children
in the schools will repeat his words. and
the greatest of earth will sound his
praises. All sections will unite to do him
honor. The people of other lands Will
join in the acclaim. This nation and the
world outside will feel again the uplift OF
his kindly and useful life.
Lincoln's best memorial will always be
the affection of his couhtrymen. But it
is customary and proper for affection to
express itself in tangible form. AS yet
this nation has not thus expressed its at
lection for Lincoln. The centennial of his
birth should not and will not be allowed
to pass without at least beginning be
ing made on a memorial which shall suit
ably express the feeling of his country
men toward the best beloved American.
1t is high time, therefore, that careful
consideration be given to the question,
What shall the Lincoln memorial be?
AS this is to be national memorial 1t
may be assumed that the American peo-
pie will desire that the memorial shall be
connected with the nations capital.
hal he charaCfpr2 |
not be amiss to begin by agreeing on
some kinds of memorial that should be
excluded from consideration as unsuited
for a memorial to Abraham Lincoln.
First, then. the Lincoln memorial should
not be a shaft of any kind The Amer
lean people already have in their Capital
city the noblest memorial shaft ever erect
ed by man. the Washington monument
There it stands in simple majesty. tower
ing far above every other structure in
the city-a fit memorial to the exalted
character of him In whose honor 1t was
erected.
1t is unnecessary, and it would mani
testify be improper. to bring Washington
and Lincoln into contrast Each was SUI
premely great in his own way and at his
own time. Probably neither could have
of the other. But to propose a shaft of
any kind as the Lincoln memorial would
inevitably result in the making of COM
PARSONS and contrasts between these two
that all memorials of the shaft type
should be excluded from consideration.
Neither Statue Nor Arch.
Second, the Lincoln memorial should not
be an equestrian statue. Lincoln was not
at his best on a horse. Besides, We al
ready have in the city of Washington
more than one-tenth of all the equestrian
statues in the entire world. Moreover. a
CT ff,e ~ nd
pedestrian. however mounted. would be
wholly inadequate as an expression Of the
nations regard for Abraham Lincoln.
. So statues OF all kinds except as features
of some comprehensive design, may be
excluded from consideration.
Third. the Lincoln memorial should
probably not be an arch No visitor to
, Paris fails TO take look at the Arc de
, Trtomphe de rEtoile. Erected on slight
elevation. this splendid arch is the center
from which slope away in all directions
streets and avenues bordered by trees
and lined with stately mansions. The arc
is thus the browning glory of dozen
of the most beautiful streets Of Paris.
No one who has looked at this noble
arch from the Place de la Concorde up
the broad Avenue des Champ ElySeeS can
ever forget the vista. And when viewed
at close range the arch by its great size.
Its admirable proportions and the finish
of its details. Is seen to be worthy OF its
splendid setting.
Both in itself and it's setting this great
est of all arches is quite worthy of the
purpose for which 1t was designed. AS
its name indicates, 1t is an arch of tri-
umph, erected to commemorate the VIC
tories of the great Napoleon. Indeed
nearly all the arches that have ever been
erected in ancient or in modern times.
whether we regard the time-de flying
arches of the old Roman forum or the
beautiful but transient arch erected in
New York in honor Of the return of
Dewey from Manila bay, have been rear
ed in commemoration of victories in war.
Admit that Lincoln was the command
er-in-chief Of the greatest aggregation Of
fighting men ever under the direction of
one man. Admit that the men he led con-
Quered in the strife. 1t yet remains true
that II is not alone. chiefly. as the
head OF victorious army that Lincoln Is
or will be remembers While an arch.
then, may be feature of the grand de-
sign Of the Lincoln memorial. the me-
mortal cannot properly be restricted to
an arch, however imposing.
Should the memorial be a great univer-
sty of research? Through the munifi-
cence Of Andrew Carnegie the American
people already have at the Capital city
the Carnegie Institution of Washington,
with princely endowment Though only
recently established. 1t gives promise Of
great usefulness.
Should the Lincoln memorial take the
form of a building Of some kind? An art
gallery? We already have in Washing
ton the Corcoran Gallery of Art. which is
developing into An admirable institution
of the kind Moreover, Congress has made
provision for a national gallery of art In
connection with the National Museum.
Besides. what is there about an art gall
lery to suggest Lincoln? How would such
a memorial to Lincoln harmonic with
the eternal fitness of things? Should
the memorial be museum of some kind?
We already have the Smithsonian Institu-
ton and the National Museum each fill
ing its own field we'll Should the memo
nal be something in the way OF a structure
that could be called. say a Temple Of Lib
erty? How should 1t be constructed?
What should it contain? How could 1t be
made To have the proper significance
aside from its name? 1t Is hard to see or
say.
Some magnificent structures have been
erected memorials-the national me-
mortal to Victor Emmanuel. the first king
of United Italy, now being completed in
Rome, for example. It's memorial char
acter is revealed by its imposing front
Incidentally. and part of the memorial
idea the structure is to house and pro-
tect a museum illustrative Of the progress
of Italy since the unifcation. 1t is n
beautiful building. but already have a
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