The sun., 1919-08-24

makes it necessary, more than in any
other city in the United States, that
the spirit of the old town hall gath
ering, THE Town Meeting" be re-
vived among its people. He is blind
who refuses to see in false and un-
American theories. mouthed by ele-
ments Of the foreign population among
us, the real fundamental menace of
our institutions and our national life.
Every right thinking, well balanced
American of education Is thoroughly
conscious Of the reasonableness, the
righteousness, the justice and the sane
tity Of progressive democracy. The true
American is convinced that no nos
trums of political dreamers, whose in
spiration. so-called, is drawn from con-
ditions in foreign countries, can bring
about II governmental or even social
millennium; that only by slow and
consistent development can the world
or even Il nation attain a higher plane
of humanity and enlightenment.
Therefore broader education and
free discussion are requisite for the
solution of the apparently overwhelm-
ing economic problems that since the
signing of the armistice have forced
themselves upon our attention. Time
and time again the spirit of the Town
Hall meeting has risen as a buWark
against false economic ideas, injustice
and human slavery.
In considering various angles of the
great problems confronting the coun-
try and which In New York seem most
acute, Gen. Wingate has realized that
this great city requires a central rally
ing point for ideas and ideals There
fore he has sought to plan tentatively.
choosing n site which is In a way the
centre OF the city, a huge building
which might serve to revive the spirit
of the Town Hall, in addition to serv-
ing as a monument to American prog
ress and prowess.
Halls I'm other Great Cities.
It must be not only a symbol of vic
tory AMI our conquests and heroism OF
the battlefield, but Of the progress in
human mind; of the conquests of peace
no less than of war. 1t must be Ii
spiritual as we'll as a material symbol.
and upon its walls must be engraved
the history OF tho self-secrifice OF men
in the struggle against ruthlessness
and rapacity. Built of everlasting and
abiding stone, simple, dignified. and
expressive of all the best we have
in us 10 give, 1t must picture great
chapter of the history of our country
and tell the names of our beloved dead
who have made the supreme sacrifice
therein.
In every great capital OF a free
country there are halls for public as
semblies. Travellers are familiar with
the Albert Hall in London and the
Grand Palais in Paris. Liverpool,
though not capital, has its famous
St. Georges Hall, and in our own
country other cities than New York
| have built great convention halls to
| serve as places for public assemblies
and to draw conventions. The con-
vention hall in San Francisco, built
during the exposition, is a structure OF
which New York might be we'll proud
Another and one even better known In
the East being the great convention
hall in Milwaukee.
Tentative plans for a Victory Hal
have been drawn for Gen. Wingate
| These plans are only suggestive ano
sc rye merely to crystalline and picture
possibilities. Gen. Wingate is enthusi-
nstic over the Idea and he believes the
time is now ripe for the erection OF q
memorial. He recognizes. however
that the whole question of whether
such building shall be constructed
the choice Of architects and all details
must not only meet the approval OF
the Mayor and his committee but be
decided and carried out by an execu'
tive committee composed OF citizens
who are interested In the idea and OF
| representatives Of the Board OF EST
mate.
But" said Gen. Wingate yester.
day. NOW is the time when the con
struction OF suoh memorial can best
be undertaken. Every citizen who II