The Colorado statesman., 1923-02-10

traffic and travel of the nation which he saved
Today the Lincoln memorial in Washington
stands supreme among memorials to Abraham
Iincoln-perhaps among memorials to any man or
in ali the world "a thing of beauty Is
joy forever, and this is thing of beauty. 10 look
from the Washington monument down the long
Mall and the simple massive white marDe
Greek temple, its stately Doric columns reflected
I'm the waters of the quiet lagoon, Is sight to sur
the apprecative to ecstasy. What trinity-the
Capitol. Washngton's monument, the Lincoln mon
ument-vith Arlington near by
I.ncons memorial in Washington stands TO-DAY
a completed and perfected national shrine for
peoples homage on February T. 1t was oihcialy
dedicated last year-on Memorial day. This year
u will be rededicated on Lincolns blrthday 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 authC !zed the expen-
dlture of So 100000 for national memorial to
commemorate the life and character of Abraham
Lincoln In 1913 plans were approved. Work was
begun February H. 1914 The cornerstone was
laid February 10, 1915. Henry Bacon of New York
designed II simple and massive Greek temple OF
white Colorado marble, erected on granite rect
angular base The memorial consists of central
memorial hail. containing colossal seated statue
of Lincoln by Daniel Chester French and two
smaller rooms containing memorials of Lincolns
Second inaugural Address and his Gettysburg Ad-
dress There is Il colonnade of thirty-six Doric
columns symbolic of the United States in 1865.
Above these are forty-elght festoons In high re
representing tne IoTly yeiSHl stuteS
Tie memorial has cost almost exactly S3OoO'ooo
IN dote The total height of the structure above
grade is 10 feet Each column Is Al rect hlgh
and z feet 5 inches in diameter Mt the base. Inc
colonnade is 1SS 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 a distance OF seventy
feet at this .i~artic lincoln, represented as the
great war President. Over his heau Is inscrioeu'
In This Temple,
As In the Hearts of the People
For Whom He Saved the Union,
The Memory of Abraham Lincoln
Is Enshrined Forever
A. D.. tho snirit of Iiacolns Birthday In Ameri-
-, in 1e23 no truer words be said than were
epoken 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 Ho"ard
Taft for chairman President Harding said among
other things:
at is n supreme satisfaction officially TO accept
on behalf OF the government ths SUPERB i,,nu si,
ment to the savior of the republic No ornciai
dutv couId he more welcome no official function
more pleasing. This memorial edince is hooie
tribute gratefully bestowed, and IN ITS oiierhg ~
the reverent heart of America In Its dedicatlon Is
the consciousness OF reverence anu si"'
beautifully expressed.
"SomehCw my emotions Incline me 10 speuh
simply reverent and graterul Anie,iean' an
ruther than one in official responsibility am
thus inclined because the true measure OF LII
coin is In his place today in the heart OF American
citizenship though half century has passeo siice
his colossal service and his martyruom' III every
moment of neril in every hour of discouragement,
wherever the clouds gather there Is the image OF
Lincoln to rvet hopes and to renew our riitn'
Whenever there is glow of triumph over milton.
al achievement, there comes the reihihuei . az
hut for IincoIns heroic and unalterabie falth In
the Union, these triumphs could not have peeh
-,,,
Here was the great purpose. here the towering
nope. here the supreme faith He treasurer .lie
tnh.r.,nc. banded down hy the @oundng fathers