Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-07
Real Purpose of the Memorial.

We are compelled to come down to the
fundamental quest .on-What IS the real
purpose of this memorable We are to de-
eide wisely and honestly as to the char
acter II shall take. To me 1t seems that
the purpose of the Lincoln memorial is
that of cherishing and answering to the
sentiments of Lincoln as the father. not
''of his country not 'of the Union but
of the reunion of these states and OF
their lasting unity in an indissoluble ma
ton. nd reunion impl es two parti s and
two interests. and the restoration OF har-
mony between these without destroying
the integrity Of either
A road" or way" however impos-
ing in itself. is not suggestive as a per-
soma. monument; the only suggestion can
be In the n me attached to 1t, and this
will not strike the trave er or occur with
1t has become familiar and commonplace
any more than Washington street in
Boston recalls vividly to the people who
throng it the memory Of the great found
err of our nation.
But even II road We're chosen as a
sufficiently concrete and suggestive form
Of memorial, surely the location and d.
rection of the road become matters OF
the first impo: lance. What road would
suggest most forcibly and wildly the
idea Of the reunion of these states under
the benign and mighty influence of the
personality of Abraham Linco n? Ger
tain a road from Washington to Rich
mond would have such a .signidcance
un. Ting the once rival capita's of the
contending sections OF the Union, but
certainly not a road to Gettysburg, a
road to the north, to a place of great
and deadly battle; u road to what is
ments to the illustrious heroes of the
armies Of the north. 1t is true that there
was delivered Lincoln's immortal Grafton
of dedicat'on-perhaps the greatest monu-
Ilr.y hat So .
but this majestic utt me- is in the hool
books OF all the children. Of continent
and requires no national road to reach
It. The fitting monument to Lincoln Is
enc that answers not to the sentiment OF
war. OF victory, or mourning for the
DEE but Of the reunion of great ma
ton in the peace and happiness Of a
lasting Tn on.
The competing desfcns Of Messrs. Pope
and Bacon are both consplcuously adapt
ed to this end in the qualities they both
possess of quiet majesty, largeness and
simplicity in architecture and the digni-
| fed housing Of the mcnnme3tal statue
| of the man commemorated. The question
between the t, desi ms becomes now
| largely one Of the location rather than of
actual form of the building. the severely
simple Greek temple or peristyle being
chosen for both.
And here a ain there are conflicting
| noi.ts of merit which demand careful
cons liberation. The designs are three in
number. Mr.. Pope submits two. one OF
vast circular temp e or peristyle in the
center Of whose uncovered court or in
/ closure is to be placed the statue Of Lin
coin; the other a classic temple of the
Parthenon type, to be placed on the axis
| of 10th street at or beyond the crest Of
| the elevation above w street.
| The design Of Mr.. Bacon is that Of a
Greek DorIc temple. to be placed on the
shore of the Potomac In the axis of the
Capitol. the NAL and the Washington
Monument forming. as 1t might with
| the ri ng'on Men o al er'd"e. an actual
portal or gateway between the north and
| the south and STANDING as note OF
| peace. harmony and charity in the great
! brotherhood Of the states.
| AS remarked by the art critic Of The
| Star the drawing and delicate color ne
| Of the designs Of Mr.. Pope by o. r
Eggers are so capt waiting in their skill
and beauty as to almost disturb the bal
| ance Of fair Judgment in their favor
| With no desire to deprec' ate tn fin,
| work, we must nevertheless keep In minc
the hard necess ties of local environ
| men,. atmosphere. climate and other &C
cidents as affecting the realiza ton of tn !.
beauty OF form and color in actual cree
ton.
i Location Discussed