Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-10-05
lives IN HISTORY
City of Alexandria, Virginia,
Is immortal.
American, It Yields Place Only
to the National Capital.

Economic clocks cease their ticking,
industrial enterprises stop their whirr,
and America celebrates each twenty-s
second day of February in honor Of
George Washington.
"Across the Potomac from the city
which perhaps is the most elaborate
and enduring monument that perpetu-
ates the name of any human being is
a smaller, older, but up-to-date city,
which revereEtly pays her tribute to
Tots. He also commanded its troops,
sat in it's historic Christ church while
President of the United States, and
tripped the stately minuet In its par
lors," says a bulletin from the Wash
ington, D. c., headquarters of the Ma
tional Geographic society.
alexandria, Virginia, which was so
promising at the close of the Revolu-
tionary war that it was considered
possible seat for the infant national
government, and which indeed might
have had the honor. so the story goes,
IL lAC eiCdI llldu WIN ANCu Il
stones throw Of its borders had
thought it fair to use his influence in
its behalf, is today an up-and-dOing
city. A naval torpedo plant is being
constructed there at the present time,
aad during the World war 1t had a
fully equipped shipbuilding plant.
THE first ship built at this plant
was the Gunston Hall, named after
the home of George Mason, father of
the Virginia declaration of rights, at
that time probably the most complete
statement of the rights of man.
This shipbuilding plant which now
stards idle awaiting the development
of new plans concerning our merchant
shipping covers 46 acres Of land along
river which measures 40 feet in
depth at the city pier. At no point
in its course to the ocean is the chan
mel less than 80 feet in depth.
1.-The coal fields of the Cumberland
are but 40 miles away, and the cheap
ness Of transportation to the city adds
another commercial asset The in
habitants in the decade between 1880
and 1910 foresaw the power which
them, and expended large amounts Of
money in building the Alexandria
canal and in contributions to the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal.
1.-THE Lee highway from New York
to San Francisco, now being con-
I'd, fhrn,,ub AlnvanHria
and westward through the beautiful
and historic Valley of Virginia. Very
aptly might Alexandria, from its geo.
graphical position, be given the SOU
briquet, The Gateway to the South
Tourists to the Capital city-and
must see the capitol, the White House
and the Monument-usually find few
hours, if no more, to cross the Poto-
mac and sit in the silence of the
quaint little church in its pretty green
churchyard where Washington advo-
resistance to Great Britain, and where
Robert E. Lee agreed to take COM
mand of the Virginia troops at the
beginning of the Civil war in 1861.
Washington's pew is marked today,
but unfortunately the high backs of
the seats which in former days kept
the President from seeing exactly
what kinds of lace the bewigged gen.
tlemen in front Of him had at their
threats. were cut down by subse-
quent rector who wanted his church
to keep apace of the times. 1t is said
that Washington and the famous and
devoted Martha always rode from Mt.
Vernon in handsome cream-c olored
coach to attend the services.
1.-THE seeker for excellent examples
sigh of satisfaction wheI he catches
his first glimpse of Carlyle house, MS
this home in which the illustrious gem
tlemen and charming women of old
colony days discussed state questions
and tripped measure or two is con-
sidered one of the best specimens of
Eighteenth century architecture In ex-
istence. Maj. John Carlyle, who built
it in 1852, provided means of escape
for his family, in case of attack by
sage that leads from the house
through the fort on which the house
is located to the Potomac. Here they
could get into boats and sail down the
river to safety"