Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-12
FOR GREATER
ALEXANDRIA
Interview With The Rev. DIR.
E. B. Jackson of First
Baptist Church
DR.. Jackson Says Alexandr!as Lo-
cation Gives it a Peculiar
Advantage

Let our past help to. secure for
our future the things which Will make
i bigger and brighter and
greater Alexandria. This, in the sight
of Rev. E. B. Jackson, D. D., pastor OF
the First Baptist Church, VIII help
us toward the goal. In statement Tor
the Gazette he says.
"Certainly the location of AleXan-
dr:a gives it, peculiar opportunity, and
nrosnects. Once these docks were lined
with ocean-going vessels. Many i'm
movements within a few years, are
noted in it's physical aspects. Marx
ed improvements have come IN the ne
schools but no one thing could De
more attractive than an adequate sys-
tenn. The Editor of the Gazette IS TO
be congratulated on his fearless edl.
torials which probe TO the bottom OF
the situation. Our city is more to pc
congratulated upon such a leader WIN
such wide vision.
byron says, in one of his letters
that "the best of prophets OF the u
tire is the past" Alexandria's great.
ness is rooted in her past, and tnaI
mast NAV be looked upon as hope1ui
aupury of the future. Alexandra mas
wrongfully been accused Of making TOO
much of her past and living too much
in the past. But it seems more true
to saw that she has neglected much OF
her past that might have been an as
cot in the present. Much history OF
general interest was forged mere anu
Alexandria has allowed herself 70 lor-
ret much that might make these pare
facts a living present reality. 80,
"This was an arena OF heroic deecs
when courageous, masterful men
plaved the game for the recovery OF a
Continent from tyranny. Those days
that tried mems souls were days OF
lights and shadows. A divine provld-
ence seemed to throw a wall OF pro-
lection about the. old city when some
of the worlds mightiest men moved
Familiarity along her streets.
"Tennyson speaks somewhere OF the
| Eternal landscape of the past, A
movement is on foot to mark the MS
toric places in that landscape. A com
mittee is now at work, from the Civic
Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce
and this past will be recovered. Gov
errors and Premiers and Presidents
will stop at these markers to do re-
yerence to the deed enacted there.
What city can point to tn spot where
the great pioneer of Democracy
George Mason probably wrote some OF
his immortal papers-a verltable trea-
sure-house for those who shaped our
government. Think of looking upon the
spot which witnessed a vital phase in
the struggle for religious liberty!
Think of a spot which heard the mar
velous eloquence of Patrick Henry in
defense Of a martyr to Religious Lib
erty! Think of City that knew men
of three generations of the Lee fam
lily which men all have written their
names high on the pages of human his
tory. Think of a place where George
Washington twice received commission
in the British Army, and in which he
might have made his career, but for
the pettiness of British officials. Think
of places marked where Aaron Burr
moved in social circles, and whose at
mosphere of patriotism seemed not
to inuence. Think Of the great Ben
jamin Franklin here not searching
the myteries of the heavens, but en-
gagged in the work of helping England
in the Conquest of Continent.
eve have city to some of whose
homes Washington delighted to come
and speak of great issues. Let US be
certain in making our interests world