Evening star., 1909-05-04
Alexander r. Shepherd.

In honoring yesterday the man who
thrty-five years ago led the way IN the
rescue of the capital from its depicrapie
condition resulting from persistent ma
tional neglect. the citizens of Washington
pledged themselves anew to carry on MS
work and thereby 10 assist In bringing
the District up to its full measure OF
municipal perfection Alexander K. Shep-
herd was the pioneer whose sturdy strokes
prepared the ground His successors OF
today the men of all walks OF life. have
their own responsibilities to discharge in
the cause which he so bravely espoused
and 50 faithfully served.
Yesterdays ceremonies brought to
climax an effort of several years TO per-
petuate in a permaneIrt token the memory
of the man who dared to do what had to
be done to redeem the nations despised
capital from the worlds contempt. The
unyeiIjng of his statue was more than
final recognition of Shepherds priceless
services Ii was the signal for new
campaign of capital-making. inspired by
the same un7agging faith in Washington
which stimulated Shepherd throughout
his years of effort and sacrifice, but aim
ing at the develoWpent Of the capitais
possibilities along somewhat broader
lines Shepherd strove to cure physical
defects. to establish Washington upon
sound basis of municipal equipment. The
TASK today is not only 10 promote more
and more the city's material interests
hut 10 cure legal defects. to remedy leg
islative wrongs and to obtain for the local
citizenship the full measure of oppor-
tunity which the nation ewes to 1t. In
natonaliz:ng and developing the capital
its cocoon people are not to be ignored or
Inundated or degraded.
The speeches delivered yesterday sound
Cd clearly the note OF this requirement
and set plainly before the community the
duty of today. the urgent need of CO.
operation to gain necessary ends. to over
come prejudice and to establish fully the
right relations between the United States
and the municipality serving as it's seat
of government. The Shepherd spirit suf-
feed to overcome far greater obstacles
than those which rise in Che way of the
Washingtonian of today. 1t was the
spirit of the mountain mover, the man
unafraid
Shepherd did not work alone in. his tre-
mendous task; he had the answering
support of men who believed in Wash
ington and in him. men who later carried
on his work under the happier auspices
which were evolved in consequence of his
demonstration that a readjustment of re-
lations was necessary. This same CO.
operation of civic forces is today possible
and necessary. Washington is now far
better organized to conduct a campaign
for it's own advancement. 1t has a larger
permanent population. clear concept of
the meaning and responsibility of citi-
zenship. justiiable pride in the progress
scored and an abiding faith IN the future.
1t has developed numerous agencies of
intelligent expression. Its Board of
Trade, it's Chamber of Commerce and it's
local citizens associations all make for
a clearer mutual understanding and for
a more effective voicing of the public
needs in the quarters of federal action.
Never before was Washington So well
equipped for the work of capital-making
in accordance with the high standard es-
tablished by the man whose bronze effigy
before the District building stands as a
guide to those who are today carrying the
burden of civic responsibility. The fact
that Shepherd has been thus fully honor
ed and truthfully praised should alone
serve to inspire the members of this
generation TO move onward, shoulder to
shoulder, to reach the goal of municipal
development set for them by this man
of courage and force and loyal devotion.