The Holly chieftain., 1923-02-08

trnffic md travel of the nation which he saved.
Today the Lincoln memorial In Washington
stands supreme among memorials to Abraham
Lincoln--perhaps among memorials to any man or
woman in all the world. "a thing of beauty Is
Joy forevec" and this Is thing OF beauty. To look
from the Washington monument down the long
Mall and see the simple, massive white marble
Greek temple Its stately Doric columns reflected
in the waters of the quiet lagoon, Is sight to STIR
the apprecintive to ecstasy. What trinity-the
Capitol, Washington's monument the Lincoln mon
ument--with Arlington near by! /
Lincoln's memorial in Washington stands today
completed and perfected national shrine for
peoples homage on February -. 1t was officially
dedicated last year-on Memorial day. This year
1t will be rededicnted on Lincon's birthday in the
hearts OF the American people
In briefest words, here is how the Lincoln me-
mortal was created and what 1t is:
February 1. 1911. congress authorized the expen-
dlture of S2O00,000 for national memorial to
commemorate the life and character. Of Abraham
Lincoln. In 1913 plans were approved. Work was
begun February 12, 1914. The cornerstone was
laid February II, 1916. Henry Bacon of New York
designed simple and massive Greek temple Of
white Colorado MARBLE erected on granite rect
Singular base The memorial consists Of q central
memorial hall. containing a colossal seated statue
Of Lincoln by Daniel Chester French, and two
smaller rooms containing memorials Of LfncOln's
Second Inaugural Address and his Gettysburg Ad-
dress. There is coonnade of thrty-sx Dorc
Above these are forty-eight festoons In high re
lief representing the forty-eight states.
The memorial has cost almost exactly $3,000000
to date The total height of the structure above
grade Is 100 feet. Each column Is "A feet high
and feet S. Inches in diameter at the base The
colonnade Is 1888 feet long. The statue Of Lincoln
is 81 feet high and weighs d tons; its height with
pedestal and base, is 80 feet. The visitor enters
the memorial to gaze from distance of seventy
feet at this gieantc Lincoln. represented the
grent war President Over his head is inscribed:
in This Temple,
AZ In the Hearts Of the People
For Whom He Saved the Union,
The Memory Of Abraham Lincoln
10 Enshrned Forever
Is to the spirit of Llncoln's Birthday In Ameri-
ca in 1923, truer words can be said than were
spoken by President Harding when he received, in
behalf of the American people, the Lincoln me-
mortal from the Lincoln memorial commission ap-
pointed by congress In 1911. with William Howard
Taft for chairman. President Harding said among
other things:
cit is supreme satisfaction officially to accept
on BEHALF ot the government this superb monri-
inent to the savior Of the republic. No official
duty could he more welcome, no official function
more pleasing This memorial edifce is noble
tribute gratefully bestowed. and In Its offering is
the reverent heart of America in Its dedication Is
the consciousness of reverence and gratitude
beautifully expressed.
Somehow my emotions Incline me to speak
simply as a reverent and grateful American,
rather than one in official responsibility am
thus inclined because the true measure Of Lin
coin is in his place today in the heart of American
citizenship, though half century has passed since
his colossal service and his martyrdom. In every
moment Of peril. In every hour Of encouragement,
whenever the clouds gather there is the image Of
Lincoln to rlvet our hopes and to renew faith.
Whenever there is glow of triumph over nation
al achievement, there comes the reminder that
but for Lincoln's heroic and unalerable faith In
the Union, these trumphs could not have been.
Here was the great purpose, here the towering
hope. here the supreme faith. He treasured the
inheritane handed down by the founding fathers