The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-04-08

ton, ID. c., March 23.-Dear Mrs.
Cooper: Mother and Mr.. Clague
are both feeling well again and both
doing their regular work once more.
Last Sunday we made a short trip,
the first since they recovered, a four
teen mile tour along the banks OF
the Potomac river TO the Great Falls
of the Potomac. The great volume
|, of water plunging over the massive
rocks present most impressive and
awe inspiring sight. Here remains
by George Washington. Also the
foundations of a mill and iron foun-
dry established by him in 1855. This
afternoon mother and / made our
first visit to Potomac park and the
beautiful sight t~lt met ones view
can never be forgotten. We wished
all our friends were with us TO en-
Joy 1t. To our left was Washington
grassy knoll upon which 1t rests. To
our right the Lincoln memorial one
fourth mile distant and just now
| excavations are being made for an
artificial lake of that length, which
will extend to the memorial and thus
give not only the view OF the me-
mortal but also Of its reflection in
the lake. We are nearing an inlet
of the Potomac, Tidal Basin. circular
Japanese cherry trees in full bloom.
Twas a wonderful sight to look
across that body of water and see
the row Of trees in their pink ar
ray, above the trees the speedway and
| on the other side the historic Poto-
mac. We walked along the waters
edge and stood underneath these
Il N~4 ,~A ~. s-AA ~sx.Y-
blossoms we looked again to Wash
ington monument. Such beautiful
| view as we beheld cannot be de-
scribed-will leave 1t to the readers
imagination. These cherry trees are
as large as our Minnesota's largest
apple trees. They had been In fow-
er for five days and blossoms usually
last about ten days. This year the
blooms are one month In advance OF
many other flowers in bloom here
now. People who have lived in
Washington many years say they
never witnessed such wonderfully
warm weather In March before. The
Japanese cherry tree blossom re-
sembles our wild plum blossoms, on
ly larger being single; but on our
small tree OF same kind wearing
the double blossoms. This in color
resembles the Towering almond, only
much larger. Here too we saw many
tulip trees. No foliage thus far, but
covered with either white or pink
flowers resembling the tulip. Too
you will see clumps Of yellow bios
SONS (forsythia) resembling the
Towering currant only larger bloom.
voir within a small circle stands a
monument to John Paul Jones. On
one side above the pedestal was a
large bronze, full length figure of
the naval hero. For the benefit Of
our boys and girls am going to tell
them the exact inscriptions. His
name was on the monument above the
bronze statue. Below which on the
pedestal was 1447-1792; First to
compel foreign man of war to strike
colots to the Stars and Stripes. On
the other side near the base was a
plate upon which were engraved the
words Of John Paul Jones' address
/ to the marine committee September
| IA, ITS. "r Is by no means enough
that an OFFICER OF the army should
be capable mariner. He must be
that, OF course. but also a great deal
more. He should be as we'll gentle
man OF liberal education, refined
manner, punctilious courtesy and the
incest sense of personal honor. He
| should not only be able to express
himself clearly and with force in his
own language, both with tongue and
pen, but he should be versed In
French and Spanish. He should be
| the soul of tact, patience, Justice,
| f1rmness and charity. No meritori-
Gus act of subordinate should es
cape his attention or be left to pass
without its reward, II even the re-
ward by only the word OF approval.
Conversely he should not be bind to
a single fault in any subordinate
Though at the same time he should be
| quick and unfailing to distinguish
| error from malice, thoughtlessness
! from incompetency and well meant
| shortcoming from needless or stupid
blunder. AS he should be universal
| and impartial in his reward and ap-
prevail of merit so should he be ju-
dicial and unbending in his punish
ment or reproof of misconduct"
Above this plate was the familiar
| figure Of history unfurling the Amer
lean flag to the breezes and beneath
were these words: Til life he hon
ored the flag, in death the flag should
honor him." Is 1t not most beauti
full spot among the Japanese cherry
blossoms on the bank Of the Potomac
Body of Admiral John Paul Jones
rests in the crypt Of the chapel OF
the United States Naval academy at
to all, Stella Porter Clague.
| FIGURE HOSPITAL COST