Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-23

into legislatfon as far as practicable ana
reasonable their opinions and wishes ana
to protect faithfully their interests ana
welfare. -.
| AS local legislator under the Consttu-
ton the CONGRESSMAN represents not the
nation. not the state. not the consres-
! siOnal district, but the District of CO.
lumbia and Its $4,000 Americans
/ The extensive powers in respect to the
capital conferred upon Congress involve
equally far-reaching responsibilities and
obligations; and sacrifices in the nation s
interest are required on both sides of the
partnership. A great power is to be
greatly nobly exercised. controlled by
no motive or impulse that is small or
/ mean or base.
/. The greatest legislative body in the
world, representing the worlds foremost
nation. is to build up, typifying that ma
ton. the worlds grandest capital. The
nations city which the forefathers nobly
no less noble.
The capital which wisdom and patriot
ism are to make truly great includes not
only the physical city, but the people
who live In It. the men who make the
call for sacrifices of time and thought
and patient consideration by the nation
through Congress In return. The Obliga-
ton Is to build not merely a beautiful
city. but healthful. wholesome. well
governed, contented and self-respecting
city
| What then will the nation do with its
city to make 1t more attractive. more
healthful, more creditable in every way
as the National Capital? What will
it do with the Americans who constitute
the people of its city to promote their
welfare? =
The greatest of our public men have
been the strongest champions of the cap
ital. Greorge Washington created it and
gave 1t his name. Thomas Jefferson with
and following Washington was a planner,
founder and upbuilder Of the city. An
drew Jackson threw himself with en-
thusiasm into the work of adequately
bridging the Potomac: urged the allow
ance of delegate in Congress to the
District and in his administration with
his cooperation and sympathy the ma
ton came to the financial relief of the
community bankrupted in performing the
nations task. Discrimination between
the later Presidents from Lincoln to VIII
son. all or whom have been friends of the
District, would be invidious Grant, the
man of deeds. not words. had the oppor-
tunlty which he effectively utilized to
lay broad and deep the foundations of
| washington as truly the nations city.
| Great men from all sections, in Con-
delighted to labor to make the capital
worthy of the republic Clearly there is
no nobler work for any statesman than
to Identify himself conspicuously with
the upouilding of the nations capital.
In these days of easy divorce. trifline
causes of dispute often disrupt the fam.
lily partnership: but in the capital making
partnership between Congress represent
| ing the nation and the people of Wash
| fngton divorce, though sometimes sug.
gested. now on one side and now OH the
other in spasm of discomfort, is neither
feasible nor desirable. What the Consti-
tuition of the United States has thus join
ed together it seems impossible for any
| man or men by the divorce of radca
| constitutional amendment to put asunder
Since, then. these partners are to live and
work together in capital-building let them
by mutual consideration, forbearance
sympathy and regard live together han
PLY and work harmoniously and effect
lively to the end that through their join
abors magnificent capital may be de
veioped. which every Washingtoniai
may with patriotic enthusiasm claim a.
his home, and of which every American
may be proud.