The Dolores star., 1923-02-09

traffic 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 forever" and this is thing Of beauty To look
from the Washington monument down the long
Mall and the simple, massive white marble
Greek temple. its stately Doric columns reflected
in the of the qalet lagoon, is sight to stir
the appreciative to ecstasy. What a trinity-the
Capitol, Washingtons monument, the Lincoln mon
ument-with Arlington near by!
Lncons memorial in Washington stands today
n completed and perfected national shrine for a
peoples homage on February u. 1t was officially
dedicated last yea~on Memorial day. This year
ii will be rededicated on Lincolns birthday in the
hearts of the American people.
In brefest words, here Is how the Lincoln me-
mortal was created and what 1t is
February /. 1911 congress authorized the expen-
diture Of S2,OOoOO0 for national memorial to
commemorate the life and character of Abraham
Lincoln. In 1913 plans were approved. Work was
begun February II. 1914. The cornerstone
laid February IL. 1915. Henry Bacon of New York
designed simple and massive Greek temple Of
white Colorado marble, erected on granite rect
angular base The memorial consists of a central
memorial hall, 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 colonnade of thirty-six Doric
columns symbolic of the United States in 1865.
Above these fOrty-eight festoons In high
lief representing the fortyeight states.
The memorial has cost almost exactly 100000
to date. The total height of the structure above
grade is 122 feet. Each column is A feet high
and feet inches in diameter at the base. The
colonnade is 1Ss feet long. The statue of Lincoln
is q feet high and weighs 81 TONS its height, with
pedestal and base, Is 80 feet The visitor enters
the memorial to gaze from distance Of seventy
feet at this gigantic Lincoln. represented 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-
ca in 1923, truer words can be said than we're
spoken by President Harding when he received, in
behalf of the American people, the Lincoln
mortal from sthe Lincoln memorial commission ap-
pointed by congress in 1911 with William Howard
Taft for chairman. President Harding said among
other things:
on behalf of the government this superb monu-
ment to the savior Of the republic. No official
duty could be welcome, official function
more pleasing. This memorial ediflce 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 reverent and grateful American,
rather than one in official responsibility 1 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 rivet hopes and to renew faith.
Whenever there is glow of triumph over nation
al achievement, there comes the reminder that
but for Lincolns heroic and unalterable faith in
the Union, these triumphs could not have been
Here was the great purpose. here rhe towering
hope here the supreme faith He treasured the
inherit6" 20 handed down by the founding fathers.