The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-15
LETTERS TO EDITOR
My Trip to Washington

10 the Editor of The Age Herald: Tn 1916 after the annual meeting, when it was announced in the papers that the next reunion of the old Confederate sol diers would be held in Washington, with the Grand Army people, my heart said: T want to go to Washington then" By the mercies of God and the kind offices of my friends, 1t was my great pleasure to be there.
 l went with special over the Seaboard line. On it was my camp, Camp Hardie; Camp Wilcox. touring party, in charge of Mrs. Alexander, and a touring party in charge of Mrs L. S. Proctor, all from
 Birmingham. The trip was made without
 much delay or any accident arriving
 safely at the terminal in Washington. My supreme desire and purpose was to 'see Washington I had read the story of my great country, when a boy, In , Peter Parley's Tales. from the days of Christopher Columbus to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and have fol- lowed it up to these momentous times. So when I see Washington, I see it as the outgrowth of a long chain of illustrious events, and the deeds and words of emi-
 nent men and women. So when I walked
 the streets of Washington I was pleased with their spaciousness and cleanliness admired the fitness of the general lay out of the city to the convenience of the public and to the laws of good taste and beauty. Washingtons streets, parks and public buildings all contribute to her beauty and grandeur and to the nation S glory.
 Every man and woman, capable of ap- preciating the real value of these things, should come to Washington once in his life. Everything in Washington is edu- cational-to our people, especially to our young people.
 II was impressed with the open-hearted courtesy and hospitality of the Wash ington people, especially the women and girls. This was brought to bear upon me by the very respectful treatment received on the street cars and the parade line.
 I may never see Washington again, but cast my eyes. as it were, backward, in grateful remembrance of Washington S beauty and grandeur, and the lovable character of her people.
 What I saw on the way going and com ing from that memorable occasion the renewal of former friendships and of the closing up of all past differences between the blue and the gray.
 When I took my seat in the cars at Birmingham and the wheels began to l turn, I began to look out to see what was going on outside and by the way. much of the country between us here in Alabama, and Washington, has been set | tied by white men from 100, 150 to nearly ! 400 years.
 l The first settlers in new country are apt to wear it out, and devastate it in | less than 100 years. The next newcomers generally have to build up what the first people destroyed. These are the lessons an ob serving man reads upon the face of things when he goes over the country
 that lies between lovely Washington and young Birmingham. | In my trip, too. from the great reunion of the two grand armies, that met to | close up an apparent chasm, I saw some signs of new life and progress. I saw several such. I specially mention Athens Georgia.
 l I note another thing: I do not think T have seen the crops. in most places. so | late starting. The corn and the cotton often barely out of the ground-and this
 now nearing the middle of June. | One more thing ask your patience to read. and that puts a brighter fringe on my heightened story.
 All this country lying along my route was once a very prolific wheat country. l I have seen 1t in the days of my boy- l ted with golden fields of wheat, all ripe for the harvest. I saw many small fields of such, in my long trip. That Is, cheer ] ing. I wish to see I hope to see again. | our farmers return to the happy old days when peace and abundance once four lished, where now We see deep gullies and pine thickets growing
 J H. WEATHERLY.
 Birmingham, June 14, 1917.