Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-13
Working of Transformation.


This ma gical transformation has been
wrought before the very eyes of the Old
est Inhahitant. He saw the shaping into
repuisive ugliness of the discreditable cap
ital which had resulted from leaving a
national plan of magnificent intentions
to be carried into execution by local
population. feeble in numbers and re-
sources and hampered by the hostility of
some and by the Indifference and neglect
of great majority of its legislators and
constitutional protectors He saw Uncle
Sam as unfaithful trustee violate his
pledges and neglect his obligations in re-
object of ridicule and derision In the eyes
of the world and joining in the laugh at
the shame which he had himself caused.
He saw Uncle Sam repent and in partial
PREPARATION for his breach of trust save
the municipality from the bankruptcy
which his own acts had threatened and
give permanent pledges for the future in
the equitable settlement of 1878. AS a
result of the national capital partnership
between the nation and the local COM
munity established by the organic act
he has seen the nations city whoesomely
and wonderfully develop and prosper
Knowing the causes that made Washing
ton a reproach and hyword to the nation
and the laughing stock of the world, and
knowing also the causes which converted
the nations city from the nations shame
INTO just cause of profound national
pride. the Oldest Inhabitant is more dis
turbed than the Young Inhabitants by
threats OF dishonorable Reputation of the
permanent settlement and agreement of
1878, which merged and offset all equi-
ties: and by the menace of an overthrow
of the new conditions of justice and fair
dealing and return to the dishonor and
shame of the nation and the misery OF
the capital which this equitable settle
nent cured
| No one knows better than the Oldest
Inha bitant that the local community Is
no more able today to perform unaided
the nations task of capital building and
maintenance on a grand national scale
| than it was in the Cos and lus of the
| last century. 1t is more populous and
prosperous and has more resources, but
the National Capital standards of life
and the municipal cost of living have in
creased In vastly greater proportion
The same prolonged observation and
| experience which enable the Oldest In.
/ habitant to perceive clearly the danger tc
| which the capital Is exposed. also, on the
/ other hand. inspire him with supreme
confidence that Uncle Sam will not ulti-
4 mately he guilty of any mean and base
/ act Of reputation and confiscation. From
/ the beginning OF the citys history the
nation, as represented by certain misrep
| resentatives. has repeatedly threatened
| destruction to the capital community, bu,
| In the end. when the crisis came. sthe ma
( llOil mas always acted III accordance Will
| the American principle of fair play in its
dealings with the nations city.
| For the reasons indicated no other
| ashingtonlan will feel a stronger i'm
! pulse to buckle on his armor and to fgh,
/ for Washington. thus assailed. than this
! Oldest Inhabitant. and since the impend
! ing battle is one not of physical strength
| hut of reason. Of logic, of equity, tn,
! rheumatism and other physical ailments
Of the Oldest Tnhabitant may not prevent
him from enlisting in this war and from
rendering good service in the cause