The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-05-31
Description Of the
Lincoln Memorial

Washington. May c0.-The Lincoln
memory Of Abraham Lincoln. Is one OF
The worlds most beautiful structures
and the greatest shrine OF the man who
saved the union. Impressive in It's
simplicity. the memorial probably Is the
ma stcrpiece of all public buildings and
memorials IN the United States. 1t
stands In Potomac Park facing the
Washington monument, and its con-
struction was begun on Llncoln's birth
day anniversary in 1914. The total cost
has been approximately 100000.
This monument to Lincoln Is a largo
rectangular building OF white marble,
designed by Harry Bacon. a New York
architect. 1t has a beautiful setting on
a direct east and west line with tho
Washington monument and the nations
capitol and rises 144 feet above the
Lowell OF the park 1t Is composed OF
four pricipal features a statue OF the
man. a memorial Of his Gettysburg ad-
dress. Il memorial OF his second inaug-
ural address and a symbol OF the Union
OF the States.
The most important object In the
memorial Is the statue Of Lincoln In
marble. by Daniel Crester French, New
York sculptor. placed In the central
hall where. by virtue OF It's imposing
position in the place OF honor. II pre-
dominates all else. The statue Is CO.
lossal In size and Yet distinctively per-
sonal. It represents Lincoln seated, IN
a thoughtful mood. and Is the first thing
that meets the eye as one passes
through til" immense colonnaded en-
trance Smaller halls. one at either
side OF tho central hall. contain monu-
mental tablets in which deeply incised
letters reproduce word .or word. Lin
coins Gettysburg address on the !eft
wall and the address made by him at
his second inauguration on tn" right
wall Above these are two large mural
PAINTINGS by Jules Gucrin. New York
artist. ono typefying Emancipation
ard tho other IMPLYING Reunion
Th"ir production occupied three years
time.
Magnificent Colonnade
Surrounding the exterior Of the walls
inClosing these memorials is magni-
fiCcnt coinunadC forming n symbol or
:hc union. each column representing one
If the IS states existing at the time or
Lincolns death. On the outer walls
above tho Colonnade and supported III
intervals by eagles arc As festoons,
one for each state existing at the pres
ent time.
At one end OF the great axis, planned
over n century ago. Is the capitol OF the
nation. which is the monument OF the
GOV crnmcn,. and a mile westward from
tho capital Is tho 555-fOot granite shaft
which Is the monument to George Wash
InCton. Now. on this fame great axi3
half a mile west Of the Washington
monument stands the Lincoln memorial
Th!r completes an unparalleled compo-
eition n trology which imparts to each
Of It's monuments value In addition TO
that which each standing alone pos
scsseS.
. Approved by Hays.
~ More than y dozen years Hg" fotomac
mark, one OF the most important units or
Washington's great park system nnf
which lies along the Potomac river. was
first suggested as the site for mem
orial TO Lincoln. The late John Hays.
one of L!ncon's secretaries and bio
gr:,phcrs. and later Secretary of Stale
OF the United States. favored Its selec-