Evening star., 1932-02-24
National School Best
Tribute to Washington

| To the Editor Of The Star:
The celebration Of the Bicentennial
Of the birth of George Washington af-
fords wide scope for reflection and
appraisement, admiration and teSti-
monial. Whether we consider Wash
ington as citizen, Mason, patriot,
soldier, president Of the constitutional
convention, statesman, or chief magi-
| strate, his career reflects high credit,
an honor accentuated by the influence
OF his character and achievements not
only upon his country and his age, but
upon the whole world and through sue
ceeding generations.
Varied as were his public ac-
complishments, 1t was in the realm Of
democracy that they were most con-
spicuous, have endeared his name to
lovers of liberty throughout the world,
and will consecrats his fame to all
, posterity. And 1t was directly out Of
this paramount phase of his public &C
tivity that grew his advocacy of a ma
tional university for the country he
loved and served so well.
And yet, strange as 1t may seem, this
great educational interest OF his life is
perhaps less known to the general pub
lie than is any other. Unfortunately,
the American people have been too alb
SOIQCu Ill LdC 1CAAAbOA A0A 0AAA bSA A1A,
Industrial and commercial development
of the United States, and in the sew
eral wars through which 1t has passed,
to found the national institution Of
learning which Washington knew
would best disseminate the principles of
democracy to the uttermost ends Of the
earth.
It is fitting, therefore, at this special
time of testimonial to Washington's
public services, that renewed attention
be directed to his national university
project, with the efforts made there
for by himself, by q number Of his
successors In the White House. and by
a multitude of distinguished Americans
In all periods Of our national history.
Many will be the tributes paid Wash
ington during the period Of the b.
centennial observance, February % to
Thanksgiving day, 1882. The great
national Masonic temple, at Alex
andria, erected primarily in his honor,
will attract attention to his virtues as
q Mason. His restored birthplace at
Wakefield, Va, and the churches where
he worshiped. at Pohick and Alex
andria, Va, will share with Mount
Vernon the distinction Of pilgrimage.
His name and fame will be the theme
Of hnumerable speeches, pageants and
writings. His monument at Washing
ton will draw added scores of thous-
ands. And yet. noble as is this marble
obelisk, no one acquainted with Wash
ington's mind and heart will for a
moment doubt that he would tndeh-
nitely have preferred, as a monument
to his memory. the national university
which he so repeatedly and earnestly
advocated-a monument to endure In
living and benefcent activity when
monuments of stone are dust.
Indeed, how so finely could gratitude
and honor be shown Washington. and,
at the same time, how could so splen-
did an educational service be rendered
the Nation which he beQueathed TO
posterity as through the establishment,
by the Government, at the National
Capital, OF the national university 30
near his heart-an institution calcu-
lated to have resources, prestige and
achievements impossible TO any other.
and yet to cooperate with each and be
the friend and inspiration Of allan
institution which would give the United
States q new and enduring distinction
among the nations Of the world. Could
the nation give Washington so hitting
testimonial as through such atone
ment for It's neglect, for l40 years, Of
his great educational ideali
KEPLER HOYT.