The Ordway new era., 1921-02-18

tnted and instructed them as to where they
build locate the permanent capital. Those COM
ssioners named the city for the man who had
the victorious armies Of the colonies In the
volution and who was then serving as Presi-
BIT. Many fairy stories have been written about
" Washington personally selected the site for
capital. even driving some Of the surveyors
kes," ETC. The unvarnished truth is that he
rely carried out the will of congress by ap-
hitting a commission which was instructed by
pgress to do certain thing.
rom the day the tract ten miles square was
ked out Washingtons impress has been in the
y and Its enyirons. That impress stands out
arer as the years pass. More than a million
Fsons Americans by birth or adoption, gain
Inspiration every year merely by looking
on the material things that connect the days
zen Washington was moving about there In the
eh with the present time. Thousands of for
ners benefit In the same way. There Is never
y pause In the stream of pilgrims to Mt. Vernon
In the throng that is always on the way to the
OF the Washington monument. Winter and
INNER. through sunshine and storm, the homage
Ping to the Father of his Country" goes on.
cry recurring anniversary Of his birth seemingly
reases the interest in his memory. On these
niversaries floral decorations are invariably
ed high in the tomb at Mt. Vernon. and neither
men OF congress ever fails to provide that his
Jewell address shall be read.
FroDaoly because the point has never been en-
aslzed many persons have the idea, 1t seems
p Washington lived for short time In the
y that bears his name. There is also popu-
belief that the WashingtOns at one time Oc-
aed the White House. Washington was never
PRESIDENT of the permanent capital. The seat
government was in Philadelphia when con-
Fss voted to locate the capital where 1t is, and
shihgtoh mad temporary home In that 'city.
returning from Philadelphia at the close of
second term as President he gave consider
9 :, personal attention to the early developments
the new capital. He frequently rode up from
vernon on his favOrite black horse to see
" things were coming on,
cSno would undertake to say that he did not
3uaiize the national capital in some such form
II stands today? If he did, he saw in his
Is,nauon the Capitol building on Capitol hill,
Library OF Congress with Its golden dome In
rear OF the Capitol, the magnificent office
l'uihgs Tor senate and house of representatives,
expansive Mall extending from the Capitol to
Fotomac, with the monument to his own men,
'ne most conspicuous thing on it.; and he
eaw the splendid memorial to Abraham Lin
/ "liSh mas just been completed, as well as
a. memorial to U. 8. Grant, which is almost
Wy 70 be turned over to the government. And
~ asain would say that he did not have vision
ue resident section of the city extending far
vna the White House to the northwest7
as,,nston never saw the White House occu-
~ 20 some extent 1t represents his ideas Of
combined home and business ONCE for
Sesloent should be-the original idea was
I,a.u .ne President should make the house his
kss k!ce ana also his workshop. Washington as
asYn ~ss "a asslsted in laying the cornerstone Of
"Tte House That formality was conducted
,S,, Masonic lodge in. Alexandria Of which
1 |Isnips stou was member. ~
4 n certain that he was deeply interested In
.,wprk q construction. At the time Of bis
81 tne mouse was practically ready for occu-
M, MI xnc furnishings were being placed In
n. ~ Oniy few days before his death he
na IA. Warrington went through ths entire
4 WE ana, according to the chroniciers Of the
y ~ seenly Interested d every dstaiI df the
Il Assa vas TO- b ths hcnne q future Prssl-
n + a. y has evy -, Il Il ~ ~ nueh
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