Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-06-27
Mount Vernon Avenue


Left 10 our own Judgment should unhesatngy say that
the citizens of Alexandria could be concerned IN no more nm
Doant project than the execution OF the plans OF the ASsoca
@ has II in charge For many years that patriotic public
s;ed far-seeing citizen of Alexandria, NJ B. Harlow has
q 70 the dream of his early manhood and kept alive by
devotion rarely eoualed in matters OF public import AS lar
hack as 1886 Mr. Harlow then the city treasurer OF this NUM-
c;na conceived the idea the people OF Virginia and o
the whole United States as we'll owed duty to the mem
or of him. who by common OF the nation Is hed as
w first and greatest citzen-to monument IN some way
commensurate with his enduring and worldwide tame Inns
idea assumed shape gradually and finally Sprans upanophed
ike Minerva from the brain OF its progentor 1t was nothing
more or less than highway from the nation capital to the
nations shrine But highway, indeed that would rival the
Appian Way as a classic horoughiare and emulate NeStNer
Abbey in its scupted tributes to the lstouS dead "ho
by historic word or deed had borne worthy part IN the up
building of this great Republic
This highway some seventeen miles in length to De d-
vded into approximately fifty sections for every state
which will thus contain about OF ground tor each par
tcnant the proposed width the road being two hundred and
fifty feet This plan admits OF every commonwealth erecting
such memorials and to Its own sons as would COM
memorae its appropriate part in national history Doubt
less too the Department of Agriculture could be utilized to
Law out an mvaed landscape along the entire route with trees
flowers grass plots hedges and the like that the Journey from
the capital to Mt Vernon would be verabe fantasy OF delight
The Virginia legislature OF 1888 transferred the Mt
Vernon Avenue Association the claim OF the State OF ga
for loan made in 100 the Federal Government and used
for the construction OF the first public buildings iii the city OF
Washington the principal amounting TO SlIOOOO Inc pro-
ceed from the collection this debt be used III connection
with the great Boulevard from the capital the tomb OF Wash
ngon The Act of Legislature also gives the Association the
authority 70 poe and control the Boulevard with the right OF
transfer of all powers the Federal Government without
further legislative action The Mt Vernon Avenue ASSoca
ton bv the way under It's amended charter OF 100 has cor
porate powers ample fulfil and carry out all the details OF ITS
comprehensive plan.
Since its incorporation the Association has had the endorse
e and active cooperation presidents OF the United States
senator's congressman distinguished army officers and eng
neers executives of the various states and organizations OF
national scope and influence The Daughters OF the American
Revolution took lively interest the project from its ncep
ton and in 1910 unanimously passed resolution urging upon
the membership their digent support and appointing COM
nittee memorialize Congress.
AS we understand it the matter already before Congress
and needs only resumption Of its consideration to become
an active
We do not need here dwell upon the lofty features OF
this plan of nationwide Importance Arguments the most
erfu and convincing arise spontaneously IN the breast
OF every Vrgnan The eloquent words of senator's and repre-
senatves in the past the halls of Congress- have met with
such immediate and ardent response from their ieUow-ega
tors doubt their action the measure brought
up for their consideration again must be slenced
The proposed memorial bridge across the Potomac has
been designed by the United STAKES Board OF Engineers and
Architects approved by former Secretary OF War and Is
thing of beauty that will be a Joy forever.
The new Masonic Memorial, another wondrous vision
brought to realization BY felowtOwnsnan Charles H. Cal
lahan will itself constitute additional shrine amphyng
and emr1azng the necessity OF great national highway to
the estngpace OF the cosecrated relics at Mount Vernon
We believe that once the project is set aoat in the proper
chauuek there will only the warneSt welcome from all quar-
ters We cannot conceive the slightest opposition from any
There cannot breathe in this country today man with
soul so dead with patriotic SenSbles so parayzed as TO re-
fuse his entire sympathy and cooperation IN an enterprise that
would reflect the grateful recognition OF nation heroes
the sentiment Of people toward its first and greatest citizen OF
all time and that would constitute the most unique memorial IN
history and render sacred forever the soil dedicated to ITS stately
purposes and designs.
We look therefore or definite results in the near future
with the imposing membership OF the various committees We
congratulate Alexandria that its history and It's traditions