Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-28

wherever it may be placed and whatever
it's separate history may have been But
if in fact 1t be almost coeval with the re-
public itself; if it have been founded by
the idoliZed father Of his country and
bear his name; if it have been for up
wards of century the scene Of historic
events that have determined the fate OF
the nation if it swarm with memories OF
statesmen and heroes and martyrs; II no
one can look upon 1t without recalling
titanic struggle for it's possession which
marshaled men by the million, sprinkled
the whole land with blood and finally
gave that land, as Lincoln declared, a
new birth of freedom then l say 1t may
we'll be, and surely must become. mecca
for the feet of patriots as long as the
nation shall endure.
whether we will it so or not, 1t Will
become a symbol, a symbol of the great
republic whose visible throne Is here. FOR
imagination is not dead and cannot die;
and the way of men in all ages is to make
symbols, and to cling to them when they
are made. 1t is wisdom. then, to see that
the symbol shall be worthy of the love
and veneration it expresses. that 1t may
i'm turn strengthen love and deepen Ven
Grafton for the reality which 1t shadows
forth
come and go shall not bear away in their
bosoms a loftier conception of their coLn-
try, a juster pride in its history, nrmer
faith in It's principles. a brighter nope
for its future and more stead1ast pur-
pose to make that future what 1t ought
to be, IL they behold here city which
is the outward and visible sign of the in
ward and spiritual life Of free and ad-
vancing people? Not a dollar Is wasted
that is carefully devoted to that use.
When you throw a noble bridge across
this river it will be an arm to draw the
south and north together. 1t will not only
symbolic reunion. 1t will serve to make
reunion surer and more lasting. For the
masses Of mankind learn by what they
look upon even more than by what they
hear or what they read. When they look
upon that structure they will feel the
impulse of the fraternal love that put 1t
there. Their hearts will tell them what 1t
means 1t will need no inscription. They
will see north and south clasping hands,
in the shadow of Washingtons monL-
ment and under the fatherly eyes of Lin
coin who loved and would have saved
them both
Should Be "Work of Art"
ITO serve it's highest purpose in this
kind. the city, then, must be a work of
art-not a loose gathering of various
works of art. but one work. How can
this be. without observance of the first
principle of art-unity? Unity of ideal
and unity of design-these we must have,
unless we are to be satisfied with a mere
collection of separate and inharmonious
attempts. That is the idea, that is the
truth. that has united us and called this
committee into being. Upon the success
of our endeavors. or the endeavors of
others inspired by the same principle.
the success of the enterprise depends. To
have some part however small, in secur-
ing the realization of this ideal is a
privilege. and will be a joy and pride to
us and to those who will come after"
Park commission Plans.
In calling the meeting to order last
night Chairman Brown referred to- the
successful termination of itthe fight to
have the Lincoln memorial placed in ac-