The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-09-18
Another Shrine
for Uncle Sam
nv NORA COLE SKINNER.

~ ttANH ,tAaA oNAaMAN
We arc not as old a. some nations.
but still we are old enough TO take
pride In our past. our country lB
hardly $50 years OF & and it's
short history has been crowded with
achievements not approached by
any other nation.
We do well to commemorate the
outstanding mile posts in our his
tory by holidays and suitable cNer-
cises, for 1t !mprcsses the childhood
and youth Of tho land as nothing
else would. But this alone ls not
sufficient. There is nothing sacred
In a holiday. and In our mad rush
after pleasure we arc too prone to
lose sight Of the great event It COM
memorates.
II Is far better that the govern
mcnt buy up the sacred spots OF our
land, u hold them as a holy
mecca, to which our people ly the
millions shall make frequent pill
grimagcs.
We have made a start in that di-
rection.
Mount Vernon and Arlington
across the Potomac from Washing
ton were the homes OF two Of
Americas greatest men, George
Washington and Robert y. Lee. No
one visits tho city Of Washington for
the first time without making a pill
grimage to these two haliowcd
spots.
The hirthplaccs Of Abraham Lin
coin and Andrew Jackson. Old Hick-
Dry, are also owned by the govern
mcnt, and just recently a move
ment has gotten under way for it to
buy Monticello, the home OF Thomas
Jefferson.
The idea In buying Monticello Is
somewhat different from the others,
more practical. II Is to be the
summer homo, or country home, OF
our presidents, and a more Digit
fled and handsome place could not
be found within casy motoring dis
lance of Washington.
There IN no reason why Il also
ahould not be opened to the public,
~ part at least, and at designated
hours. as In the case of che white
house. and be a shrine for visitors
the same at Mount Nernoa.
The present owner OF Monticello
Will sell only to the government. It
can be bought for $500, 900, though
he has spent more than a mi. ION
dollars in improving the place, re-
storing the house, and bringing bncl;
to tho estate mos; OF the land that
originally belonged 10 Jefferson.
There are those who look upon
the acquisition as an extravaganza
not to be INDUCED IN at this time
But purchases must be made when
the object wanted Is for sale, and It Is
good business to drive a bargain
when the other fellow needs the
money.
A few years back private parties
put on a widespread campaign TO
arouse interest that would enable
the buying OF Monticello for an
American shrine. II came to naught
when 1t was definitely ascertained
that the owner would not part with
It az any price, wanting the honor
OF possessing the place for his own
periodic visits. Now, II he wants
to sell to the government, by all
means Uncle Sam should make the
purchase. who knows but what.
enough financial pressure brought
to bear, he might forego his resolve.
and dispose of II to some private in.
dividual. again and indcflnitelS
shutting the American people out.
The first white house of the con-
federacy. at Montgomery, Ala. wal
purchased by the state sometime
ago, and an annual appropriation
made for its maintenance as n con-
fcderate library and museum. The
80 N'fl w tl'AA'h W wv
public under tho auspices Of the
white house association Of Mont
gomery. Many books. autographed
letters and documents. pictures
furniture, and other family heir.
looms were contributed by Mrs. JEFF.
ferson Davis In 1895, when she
broke up her home, Bcauvolr. In
Mississippi. other relies were pre-
scented by her daughter. The old
4 t-... 49,. ~ IH,,IF e NHA.-4a. L. 49,.
owned by the Daughters of the Con-
fedcracy.
Not only should the national gov
eminent buy up these sacred places
which are Of interest to the people
at large. but each state would dc
well to follow the example and ac-
qulre spots sacred only TO herself.
Texas is especially rich In his.
torlc settings, having existed under
six flags, and some Of its shrlnes
are OF national Importance.
The birthplace of Roosevelt In
New York city has already been
purchased by an association organ
ICED for that rurpose, and Will soon
be opened TO the public. Ma doubt
in time his estate at oyster Bay will
be acquired by the government. And
this will be we'll.
II Is not to be understood that the
birthplaces OF all our "big politi-
cianS' are TO be procured. They arc
not great men; and while we have
had many great ones. II IL only the
truly outstanding ~figures, men who
have made a deep impress upon the
country, and whom We revere. that
should be so honored.
Let us have more shrines, shrines
OF the mighty within short dis.
tauces Of us all. where We can as-
scmble from time to time, renew our
faith in humanity, and ~rededlcate
ourselves in love TO our common
country.
Disastrous Oversight.