The Washington herald., 1909-01-31

Among many suggestions made for
fitting way to commemorate the services
OF Abraham Lincoln 10 the country by
the erection Of some enduring monument
to him in Washington, one comes 10 The
Washington Herald from Rev. Frank
SewalI. pastor Of the New Church. which
IS alike interesting, timely. and pertinent
His suggestion is that the memorial take
the form. at least in part, Of The Lin
coin Gate to be erected On the highest
point Of Sixteenth street. in the form OF
a triumphal arch similar TO those built
on the highways in and near the city OF
Rome 10 celebrate the deeds Of its en-
perors and great military leaders.
1T is some eighteen years" says Mr-
SewaH since the press Of Washington
was discussing the question Of a suit
able Columbus memorial 20 be erected in
Washington 10 commemorate the 40eth
anniversary OF the discovery OF America
Among The schemes suggested for such
memorial, beside the bold proposition 70
hold here the Worlds Columbian Expo
sition. was that Of erecting on the rise
al the head OF sixteenth street a tri-
unphaI arch TO be called The Columbus
Gate following the old Roman style Of
designating these heroic monuments
placed at the main entrances 10 the city
Chicago Sends Designer
Neither the worlds exposition noT the
triumphaI arch found its realization at
the time in tbe Capital City. but by
kind Of poetic reparation the great West
ern metropolis, which realized the
White City-a tangible. though tran
sient. vision OF beauty-sends in turn its
designer and constructor, Mr- BurnhaTl.
TO the nations service TO control the
| erection here OF a true -Porta Coium-
biana' in the majestic facade and portico
Of the Union Station and the graceful
| Columbus Fountain which Is 70 adorn
the spacious plaza before IL
Meanwhile TO carry out the complete
reversal Of titles and honor. the Senate
! sd0pts resolution looking 20 the build
ing of a great national highway Of honor
( leading from the White House 70 Gettys-
burg. 10 be named again after the ancient
fashion OF the Roman republie--Ihe
| Lincoln Way'-and what remains but 20
mark its junction with the city On the
2 {emiRence referred TO- at the head of
/ Sixteenth street, by a dignifed structure
worthy OF so imposing a site and desigua-
ton, 10 be known as The Lincoln Gate
Might Be TriumpbaI Arch.
This structure might take the form
Of lofty and massive archway. Ike the
Arc de TEtoiIe. AT Paris, occupying a
site not unlike this. in the great pleasure
drive leading from the government palace
ou- Of the suburban park; or It might
consist Of q row Of columns, like the
Brandenburger Thur. az Berlin. connect
ing the great popular driveway. 'Unte~
den IsRden' with the Zoo o. this en-
itrance upon the great monumental high
way might be suitably marked by iofD-
pz-l0ns OF groups Of columns With their
entabIatures supporting trophies or
winged figures on either side Of the way
The site IS 80 exceptionally hne for sn
imposing structure Of this kind that The
government would seem 20 be neglectag
the best interests Of the people and their
! legitimate pride IN the National Capital
in not securing 1t for this or a similar
, purpose
.--The admirers Of the great lincoln. who
suitable Lincoln memorial viii find tse
variety Of plans proposed net 50 en-
barrassing in reality as Il might seem ~
first The erection of q memorial IN the
Plaza Of the railway station We may
presumably set aside AZ once as entirely
lout Of harmony with the deeper and more
re-e-ens sentiment Of the American
: D PIE toward their great representa-
lgye The other two plans. namely,
the majestic temple on the banks Of the
iPotomsc, at the foot Of the Mall. and the
highway TO Gettysburg. 10 be called The
Li1coln Way. are in no way anita gonisfic,
,and there IS nothing TO prevent the carry
ing out Of both. in the course OF time.
according TO a concerted plan which
might be Immediately adopted as a
scheme for future and gradual accom-
lpliShment-
= Temple the True Memorial.
-UnqueSiionabiy the memorial structur,
prope--the real monument-would be ths
I temple standing apart in its noble. sol
5 tary grandeur. devoted solely and NhoIly
E TO the n,e1ory OF the great President
= But the natioa's highway built by ~
people. TO honor the memory Of thos.
who fell at Gettysburg. and named afte,
MN WttOSC tAitAl UfrL Lll-lL EIIAeS Ila.
won an undying place in human letters
while being truly Lincoln memorial.
can nersr have such an immediate ant
exclus- ASSOCIATION with him as viii
e temple dedicated 10 his memory alone
and rct capable Of being put TO the use
o. a highway or other utiitarian pur
lse however dignified and proper.
= the two plans, therefore, that q
; . - -emple on the Potomac site wouil
seem 10 me TO be preferable 10 that o
; the highway and gate. but as the Senst'
resolution seems 20 contemplate NOR
: than one form Of memorial the nor
utilitarian scheme OF a national rOs,
dedicated 10 patriotic memories nigh
very properly be undertaken in the gen
: eral public interest and as a feature o
:, the Capitals development as = nationa
|. center ard focus. while the dignity 0
:, the monument 20 the man whose memor7
haliows alike the road. the battlefield
the city. and the nation. should be re
: served for q noble and beautiful struc
1 ture erected for and dedicated TO tht
: purpose alone
4 For such a building no site IS so suit
. able as that chosen by the park commits
: sion. and now recommended BY the IN
stitute Of American Architects
Commercial Paeer Scarce.