Evening star., 1923-03-19
Plea for Monticello.
Historic. Home Should Be Pre-
served, Says Correspondent.

1 CSANSos 01yS
To The Editor OF The Star:
To those who are interested in the
preservation of the historic land
marks Of this country, and of the
memories of "the simple. great ones
gone" tho proposition to secure the
home of Thomas Jefferson as ma
tional possession, must make its own
appeal.
Among the stabilizing and energiz-
ing factors in our life today are TO
be counted the influence Of the
traditions, the standards. the ideals
embodied in such a structure as the
house St Monticello, the birthplace
of the Declaration of independence.
Thomas Jefferson, author of the
Declaration of Independence. framer
of the statute for religious freedom
in the State of Virginia, father OF
the University of Virginia, is ac-
knowledged to be the second greatest
, man of his period. There is no lifting
/ memorial can be established most
appropriately in the preservation OF
the stately home which he loved,
| built after. his own designs. scene
! of his greatest inspirations and most
profound thought, situated IN the
lovely hill country Of Virginia.
Monticello. should be secure from the
| uncertainties and possible changes
of private ownership. and dedicated
| to the memory Of Jefferson, and to
the pleasure and inspiration or the
! American people.
In this age, called not untruly an
age of materialism, although some
| OF the loftfest idealism has glorified
| IL TO all time. such relics Of the past
! are national assets, reminding US
competition and the crash Of con-
| ficting opinions, there are some
| things certain still the great
straightforward principles which are
! the cornerstone OF our independence.
No one can travel the roads of
| of the University at Charlottesville,
| which Jefferson so dearly loved,
| study the house at Monticello. which
bears SO Enthusiastically the stamp of
| elegance and culture, breathe the
! atmosphere that was Jefferson's daily
| environment, without experiencing a
| renewal of responsibility toward his
brother. his country, and the whole
world.
And a certain pride enters into It.
We, a pioneer people, the refugees
from political or religious tyranny.
4
continent, repeated the homes Of our
forefathers in an older culture. and
passed on to our children the tastes
and traditions of gentleness. of
! scholarship and of courage. Ignorant
| men do not build such homes as
| Monticello. and common men do not en-
4 JOY them. Great inspirations have been
! born in log cabins, thank God, but
/ a serene wisdom is at home In
! stately halls and under ancient trees.
| AS the cathedrals of the otd world
mere rags which hang from the
| ceilings and drape the walls, flags
and pennants, torn and tattered.
sconched and bloodstained, which
compel the reverent attention of all
| behoiders. as symbols of the courage
and victories of by-gone days, So
our country cannot he too rich in
such landmarks as bear witness 10
/ the wisdom, the culture. the courage,
! Of our forefathers. during the soul
stirring days OF our Nations infancy.
It is true that American energy
and initiative. in this twentieth
! century, give US authority, but we
| should not be blind to the fact. nor
suffer our children to forget it, that
| much of our present power and pros
| perity is traceable to the foresight
and wisdom of men whose own day
! was clouded with doubt and darkness,
| who in the period of our country's s
| greatest stress. established policies
| <hich have been our bulwark and
our safeguard. Washington, Jefferson,
Monroe, Madison, Adams, Franklin,
Hamilton-and more than I can name
here
children If we suffer the concrete re-
| minders of these men to crumbIe
coming generations can visualize the
| earlier phases of our national
existence
Christ said that man could not live
| by bread alone. The soul needs
| nourishment, too. and the imagina-
tion must not starTe. The romance
of sacrifice was a vivid reality to
| Him. and His teaching established
| the eternal value of symbolism. He
| instituted and ordained certain sym
! holic obserVances, the outward and
visible signs of inward and spiritua al
grace.
A flag is such a sign. A shrine is
such sign. thing OF material form.
! representing an Intangible thought,
a. memory, an inspiration, an aspira-
! tion.
! Our Government is wisely endeav-
oring to conserve the physical re-
| sources of our land, it's oil, its coal.
| its timber. That its equally valuable
| and more sacred resources of rev.
erence and patriotism be conserved,
| individuals.
| That beautiful Monticello be added
| to the list of rare historic homes,
| thus guarded by a grateful public,
! is the dear hope of the National
Monticello Association. Money can
/ buy Monticello, but Monticello Stands
for what money can not buy.
| In making Its appeal for funds,
this Association can not. importune
the reluctant, nor beg the Indifferent,
for money. 1t points out the on
tpoHunity- and takes the burden OF
| correspondence, propaganda. exploit
! tation. etc, upon itself, but to beg
for this money as a personal favor
would be unworthy of the cause, and
unf1attering to the intelligence and
patriotism of others. The purchase
| of Monticello now. is a thing worthy
| to be done. The officers Of the Asso-
| citation will be at its ONCE, HOS
Sixteenth Street. daily from ten
O'Clock to one. Cordially they will
welcome all persons interested. and
gladly enter into correspondence with
! groups in clubs or patriotic societies
| throughout the land.
| MARIETTA MINNIGERoDE ANDREWS.
Tells of Weather Signs