Evening star., 1923-12-19
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
Member of the Associated Press.
George Washington's Dream.

George Washington's Dream.
When the Capital of the young
American republic was planted on the
banks of the Potomac there was one
great man conspicuous among those
who visioned there a city Of superla-
tive grandeur and beauty. The genius
Of L'Enfant was inspired by the en-
thusiasm of George Washington and
of Thomas jefferson, and the combina-
ton produced a city planned from its
inception on a magnificent scale, a
thing new in the history of city build
ing. George Washington saw in
prophetic vision rising on the banks
OF the Potomac a Capital surpassed
only by London.
Among the conceptions of the fore
fathers for the Capital were a great
national university and a great na-
tional memorial church. George Wash
ington believed in and favored the es-
tablishment IF a national university
at the CaTtal, selected a site for 1t
and added works to faith by contribut-
ing stock for the endowment, which
afterward, however, unfortunately be-
came wortnless George Washington
emphasized the unifying, Matchmaking
function of national university at
the Capital. Here, he said, the sus-
Ceptible youth Of the land, In the atmos-
phere OF the Nations city and view
ing the workings of the general gov
ernment, would be impressed with a
love Of our national institutions, coun-
teracting both foreign and sectional
sentiments.
The national university and the ma
tional memorial church Of the fore
fathers have never been born. But the
thought and purpose underlying the
conception of these institutions have
taken and are taking material form
and give increasing promise Of realiza-
ton.
It is a coincidence Of more than
passing interest that during the same
week which witnessed the breaking Of
ground for the impressive new build
ing which is to house adequately
George Washington University's 5000
students, drawn from all parts of the
republic, and inspired by the unifying,
nationalizing spirit of the Nations
city, there Is being conducted a cam
paign for the raising Of the Capitals
quota Of the cost Of completing the
Washington Cathedral
The imposing structure which is to
dominate the landscape from Mount
ST. Alban Is to be known officially as
the Cathedral of Saints Peter and
Paul, but common usage already has
given 1t the name Of the Washington
Cathedral, and as such it will take its
place as one Of four among the
worlds most beautiful religious edi-
fees. In its broader sense 1t Is to be
q national cathedral, free church for
broad national conception cannot al
ter the physical fact that it will be
the Cathedral OF Washington, an en-
during addition to the beauties Of the
National Capital, a spiritual inspira-
ton and a mental stimulant to the
residents of this city.
There is no man nor woman nor
child in Washington, now or in the
future, who may not derive direct
and personal benefit from the building
of this cathedral. That is why the
appeal for funds necessary to carry
on the work is made city!wide. AS
there will be no sectarian barriers to
the enjoyment and benefits to flow
from the cathedral, so there ought not
to be any sectarian barriers to inter
fere with giving. And It is an elo-
auent sermon on the broad.minded-
ness Of our citizenship that no such
barriers have appeared. From all re-
ligious denominations. from Chris
tians and on-Christians, have come
contributions, and there is every rea-
son to believe that when the local
campaign is over and the nationwide
appeal for funds Is made, the National
Capital will have set the nation fine
example of public spirit and apprecia-
ton Of what such an undertaking
means.