The Washington herald., 1909-04-14

George Washington was not merely a
soldier and a statesman. His title 20
greatness does not rest alone upon his
grandeur OF character he was man Of
drcams-"the supreme dreamer Of ali his
tory" according TO Judge Charles l.
Bundy. who spoke briefly before the Co
lumbia Historical Society last evening
This new Characterization OF the gen
tleman from Mount Vernon came as the
aftermath OF a comprehensive and pains
taking address relating to THE history
Of Kalorama." by Mrs. Cora Bacon Fos-
ter. The interlaeIng Of the chronicles Of
the Capitals picturesque suburb with
the career Of Washington served 10 bring
the jurist to his feet. His material was
ample. and ne treated it inclsively.
Saw the Steamboat.
The visions Of Washington are an in
splration 10 his countrymen." he said.
He saw the steamboat before Robert
Fulton did. He observed experiments on
the Potomac, carried on before his man
sion. with the profoundest interest
James Ramsay was the inventor Of
whom he became the patron. He grasped
the idea in a fash and saw the limit
less future OF water transportation.
The Ramsay experiments were con-
Quoted q fun quarter OF a century before
Robert Fulton saw the vision. and
lclinched II for all mankind on the Hudson
II is unjust TO call Fulton the inventor
OF the steamboat. He was not. He merely
applied the ideas. which were developed
by his predecessors
Judge Bundy declared Washington
should be given fun credit for the estab-
lishment OF the Capital city he did not
propose 20 attack the popular estimation
OF the French engineer. LEnfant. but he
knew the scales were not balanced right
/ ly. washington had the vision. and
70 L'Enfant he entrusted the details. The
] Frenchman did the rule and line work.
Washington was the directive genius.
The Erie canal came within the scope
/ OF Washington's dreams. His mind was
/ immediate II saw the needs OF the mo-
ment. and none excelled IN the power
Of flashing decision But when he in
dUlge5 IN the luxury and glory OF dreams.
/ II leaped a century ahead Of his time
! He foresaw the future accurately.
Dreams Came True.
"AH his dream prophecies have come
I true. With a rare fash Of commercial
judgment he bequeathed the project OF
the Erie canal to his successors. Il was
the magic stroke which Quickened all the
forces Of national development"
All the piquant historical memories
which cluster about KalOrama hill were
related by Mrs. Cora Bacon Foster. Il
has played a prominent part in the de-
velopment OF the Capital The charming
| shades and groves which crown its sum
nit have been the retreat OF many great
Americans. From the first cabin builded
upon its slopes. il has been a scene OF
peace and domestic felicity and social
gayety-
Only in war time. when the Federal
] troops encamped upon the hills about
/ Washington, has its classical beauty been
/ disturbed. The soldiers overran il, and
when they marched 10 the front vagrants
/ looted II. The fate Of its quaint colonial
mansion, built by Joel Benton in I798. was
/ pitiable. Vandals ruined the halls which
once had Tung with the melodies Of the
/ stately minuet while cavaliers bowed
low and exquisitely TO damsels in crino-
line.
When Federal officers were preparing
TO give a grand farewell ball on the eve
OF tueE departure IOr srglnldn pdLlie-
fields. FIRE gutted the east wing. Strag-
glers and marauders who snooped about
the army did the rest.
Left Worthless Shell.
AS tale after tale OF wretched spofatior
came TO their ears. the hearts Of the old
and distinguished family, which had viii
lpatrfotic self-sacriice dedicated the beau
tiful home TO the government as a (-nIor
hospital, were broken. The mansicn wa.
a frail and worthless shell when peacs
finally called a halt upon the promiscuoul
vandalism.
In later years more pre-entious resi-
dence was erected upon this impregnablc
site, but IL shortly succumbed 70 the re
lentless advance OF real estate promoters
who cut the noble estate into narrow
strips and lots. The residence now occu.
pied by William A Mearns. 1902 s street
northwest, is not far from the historic