, 1923-02-08

'Rf t'@ N'Ff Es
traffic and 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 a
joy forever and this is a 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 a sight to stir
the anpreclative to ecstasy. What a trinity-the
Capitol, Washington's monument, the Lincoln mon
ument-with Arlington near byi
Lincoln's memorial in Washington stands today
n completed and perfected national shrine for a
peoples homage ON February II. 1t was officially
dedicated last year-on Memorial day. This year
it will be rededicated on Lincoln'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 l, 1911, congress authorized the expen-
diture of 100000 for a national memorial to
commemorate the life and character of Abraham
Lincoln. In 1913 plans were approved. Work was
begun February II, 1914. The cornerstone was
laid February -, 1918. Henry Bacon of New York
DESIGNED y simple and massive Greek temple OF
white Colorado marble, erected on a granite rect
angular base. The memorial consists of n central
memorial hall. containing a colossal seated statue
of Lincoln by Daniel Chester French, and two
smaller rooms containing memorials of Lincon's
Second Inaugural Address and his Gettysburg Ad-
dress. There Is a colonnade of ~thirty-six Doric
columns, symbolic of the United States in 1865.
huONt lntNt III VII - III - *
lief representing the forty-elght states.
The memorial has cost almost exactly S3.OO0,OO0
to date. The total height of the structure above
grade is I'D feet. Each column is A feet high
and Z feet 8 inches in diameter at the base. The
colonnade is 1888 feet long. The statue OF Lincoln
is 81 feet high and weighs 81 tons its height, with
pedestal and base. is 80 feet. The visitor enters
the memorial TO gaze from n distance of seventy
feet IT this gi0autic lincoln. represented as the
great war President. Over his head Is Inscribed
In This Temple,
As in the Hearts Of the People
For Whom He Saved the Union.
The Memory Of Abraham Lincoln
Is Enshrined Forever.
As to the spirit of Lincoln's Birthday in Ameri.
en- In 1923. no 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 mp
polntcd by congress In 1911. with William Howard
Taft for chairman. President Harding said. among
other things:
ut is a supreme satisfaction officially to accept
on behalf OF the government this superb monu-
ment to the savior of the republic. No official
duty could he more welcome, no official function
more pleasing. This memorial edlfice is n noble
tribute, gratefully bestowed, and In Its offering Is
The reverent heart OF America In It's dcdicntion 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. l am
thus inclined. because the true measure of Lin
coin is IN his place today In the heart Of American
citizenship. though half a century has passed since
his colossal service and his martyrdom. In every
moment OF peril, In every hour Of announcement
whenever the clouds gather, there Is the Image Of
Lincoln to rlvet our hopes and to renew our faith.
Whenever there is n glow OF triumph over nation
nj achievement, there comes the reminder that
but for LIncoln's heroic and unalterable faith In
the Union. these triumphs could not have been.
Here was the great purpose. here the towering
hope, here the supreme faith. lie treasured the
Inheritance handed down by the founding fathers.