The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-01-24

tuHlty OF spending at least the WIN
ters along the south Atlantic and
Gulf coast. Florida is already doing
wonders in the way of road building
In proportion to her population and
wealth, she could do wonders if she
could have the cooperation of some
of the great automobile interests and
some others who are so actively
working for the building of the
great Lincoln highway to connect the
Pacific and the Atlantic coasts
There are men identified with
southern interests who could organ
iZe a campaign and head the sub
scrfption list with half million dol
lars and not miss the money If men
of the highest standing in the south,
men who have achieved great things
in other undertakings, would for
niulate such a plan as this and push
it with the same yigor the Lincoln
highway is being pushed, it would
be an assured thing, and the very in
terests which are contributing so
literally to that work, would con-
tribute with equal liberality to our
plan to build a road thru the south
thru Florida and across to New
Orleans and the central west. We
are aware of the work being done on
the Quebec-to-M Miami road and on
the so-called National highway in
the south, but we know, too, and
from experience, that much of these
roads outlined as part of these sys-
TENS are more or less bad at all sea-
sons and practically impossible dur
ing the winter and spring. Some
thing far more comprehensive is
needed. The highway demanded by
the times is one unbroken line and
we want that line to extend from
uorth to south, east to west, built
so solidly that it cannot be affected
by the weather, and in keeping with
the character and construction of the
Lincoln highway between the Allan
tic and the Pacific coasts.
SOHSOi act Vi hcSp-
ing, protecting from loss or injury,
health or social order Does Flori-
da need it? Does the southland need
it? Conservation in health to the
millions that come our way. We are
responsible for the guests within our
! homes. Are we not responsible for
the strangers within our gates?
With open waterways, solid rail-
read beds and good roads, our hap
piness will be full of light and life,
and as tender as the dews of morn
: ing, for our desires will be in meas
ure fulfilled and our charities will
! go abroad in the land as the perfume
! of the beautiful flowers that bloom
: in the winters sunshine But, good
roads alone, as greatly needed as
! they are, will not make an ideal
rural community, or city, either, for
that matter But good roads, lead
ing to good churches and good
schools and to a good town where
good prices are paid for good farm
products, and where merchandise is
sold at living prices, will work a
righteous revelation, give material
comforts and directly promote the
kingdom of the inner life.
Florida is unique in geographical
position. The greater part of it lies
beyond the line of wintry frosrs, and
much Of our history embraces ro-
nance and tragedy. You've heard
the story of the American, who dur
ing his travels in the old. country
net an inquisitiye co-traveler who
nearly pounded him to death with
questions as to what America and
Florida was like. In desperation the
man answered: Oh, America is a
: wonderful place; we are immense
: We are bounded on the east by pri
meval chaos, on the north by the
Aurora Borealas, on the west by &
procession of equinoxes and on the
south by the day of judgment and
contentment. Our Florida rivers are
as clear as crystal springs. famous
in song and story, and your Thames
{ wouldn't make a decent mouth-garg
l he for our st. Johns. Its true tina
the waterfalls OF Europe are as tn,
.'dews of perspiration' as compared
with the wonderful Falls OF Niagara
From the first day when Ponce De
: Leon, Spanish cavalier, STOOD il
: amazement upon the banks OF tn
l fountain of youth down to the pres
0 ent day, all the old world Of the Eas
I has maryeled at our wonderful de
I velopments. Our scenery, our rivers