Evening star., 1937-03-14
Merle Thorpe Urges DC. Meet
Its Musical Responsibilities
Calls Upon Washingtonians to Aid in
Collection of $4,000 to Keep
National Symphony Alive.


and feeling are nodded by the past.
No value to sentiment? Make a pro-
posal tonight to tear down a land
mark, remove the hallowed relics of
a museum, or bring low monument,
and the very stones will rise in protest.
Atmosphere Rouscs Memories.
We sense aS We go about our daily
tasks the atmosphere of the city that
rouses memories of great personages
and OF great events. Pennsylvania
avenue has resounded to the tramp
OF political and military legions. It
has vibrated under the ponderous i'm
pact OF armored tanks and the rum.
bling wheels Of artillery. The pomp
and panoply of foreign powers is no
stranger here.
What city can boast the two hun
dred red, white and blue shields that
are found at various places through
out this city. Do you know what they
are? They are symbols of imperishable
sentiment, importunate signs that saw
to the paSserby, stop a moment and
take thought, for here history was
made" And he who does, comes to
better understanding of his country's
travails and triumphs. Why, the very
bricks and stones and streets of this
city are professors of history.
What variegated texture we find
in Washington's history. Here de-
bauchery and corruption have held
sway in high places. Here we have
indecent scrambling for political pre-
ferments, and to the ears Of citizens,
the omlnouS sounds of battle have
been borne by the fateful winds.
But also here men have planned
great projects and performed prodigies
OF courage and devotion to principle
| and to country.
And I doubt If there is one In
Washington tonight who has not
stood at some time in reverent silence
among the tombs OF. our heroic dead
The crypts Of Arlington and St.
, Adams are powerful influences in the
land of the living. Citizens of other
| cities regard visit to Washington
as a pilgrimage to a shrine.
Grace and beauty have played roles
no less renowned than the strategy
OF craftsmanship and war, and the
| charm of their presence still persists
| in the old houses A hard boiled real
estate man told me once he believed
every old house had soul. He saw
in each one Of them the imprint of the
former owners record of life and
living. This real estate man knows
the value to sentiment, because every
old house does have soul. The soften
ing touch of age has descended upon
1t. 1t has met the world and the
weather on even terms, and sur
vlved the fray. Its doorways are in
viting There is hospitality in its
corridors. On its rooms have been
lavished the loving care OF a woman's
hands. 1t has felt the glow of many
cheerful fires.
Few Historic Spots.
Take a walk with me. There IS
Tudor Place in Georgetown. where
washington and Lafayette and many
another distinguished guest was en-
tertained. Not far from it is the
Bellevue" where a Presidents wife,
Dolly Madison, found refuge from
the invasion by the British: from
there she took up her residence in
the famous "Octagon" house, with
Its secret doors and panels. Only
block away from here is the house
built by Commodore Decatur, hero
OF the war with the Tripoli Pirates,
where his broken body was carried
to his bride after duel of which she
was unaware. And across from the
State Department building is the
house built by Francis Preston Blair,
where Gen. Lee was offered the COM
mand of the Union troops, and cast
the die for his beloved South.
When you pass st. Johns Church.
do you get the full significance of why
1t Is called The Church Of the Presi-
dents? Stop a moment and realize
that over those stones and into that
door came Presidents Madison, Mon
roe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson,
Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler, Fillmore
Buchanan and Arthur.
On every hand, Washington Is
touched with an historical signifi-
canoe. Here was written the story Of
our national life. Tragedy and sor-
row have stalked here. Men burdened
with great cares have sought solace
in the silent streets and we are told
that at night the troubled Lincoln
often made his solitary way about
the city in quest of peace and calm.
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