Evening star., 1941-05-09
Says Capitol Now
Is Worlds Center
Writer Declares America
Needs Revival Of Spirit
In Present Crisis


In Present Crisis
| To the Editor OF The Star:
Among the thousands of visitors each
year who climb the steps of the Capitol
to reach the inner sanctum Of the edifice.
only one in ten thousand pauses at the
threshold for a moment to comprehend
the significance of his act; to reflect
that he is about to enter the most holy
of holes of the American democratic
State.
In this building, elaborate in its archi-
lecture and awe-inspiring in its grandeur
but symbolic of the equality and SIM
plicity of man, have been enacted many
of the historic scenes of the Nations
| life. Save for that brief interval be-
fore the seat Of Government was moved
to Washington, every political event OF
any significance has taken place within
this building It's walls have echoed the
speeches of the Founding Fathers, even
alton. In its dark corners still lurk the
ghosts of those first statesmen. In its
Statuary Hail. caught in the classic per-
lection of cold marble, stand their fig
ures and those of many of the other
men who labored, fought and died, that
the ideals of this Nation might be given
in perpetuity to those who came after
them.
Other buildings certainly have played
their part in history. Independence Hall
in Philadelphia, the Executive Mansion,
now universally known as the White
House, and many others have occupied
the center of the stage for a moment but
not one of them has witnessed continu-
Gus enactment of history comparable to
the Capitol. independence Hall is now
a shrine, revered as the meeting place
Of those patriots who drafted the Dec
laration Of independence and the Con-
stitution.
Since the cornerstone Of the Capitol
was laid in 1893 there has never been
any other seat of Government of the
United States. Even the attempt by
the British to destroy the Capitol along
with the Executive Mansion did not sue
ceed and it has been the permanent
meeting place of the Congress since 1901.
At the first inaugural ceremony held
within its walls, Thomas Jefferson took
the oath of office as the third President
Of the Republic. It's SOUL If such it may
be said to have, has been stirred by the
speeches of Calhoun, Clay and Webster.
Down its corridors has stalked the lanky
figure OF Andrew Jackson. as out of
place among his contemporaries as
hawk in chicken yard. Upon its steps,
Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office
and made his futile speech of reinsurance
to Nation on the brink of civil war.
Through Its portals have passed the
great and near great, kings and prime
ministers, mobiles and potentates, from
the four corners of the world.
The figure of freedom atop the dome
offers inspiration and announcement
to the free of this Nation and the hope
OF salvation to the oppressed and en-
slaved OF the rest of the world. Repre-
senting a united peoples concept of gov
u
peace-seeking world, attracting as
magnet attracts the prayers of war
weary nations. Today, as never before,
the Capitol is symbolic of what is near
est and dearest in the hearts of all
lovers OF liberty. Today the thoughts
OF the world are upon the Capitol. It
ls indeed. the center of the world; the
cynosure of all eyes The influence
emanating from it will determine the
destiny of millions yet unborn.
As Americans. We are inclined to take
our Capitol and what it symbolizes too
much for granted. We need to be
reawakened to the true significance of
our form Of government. Just as our
Capitol represents a renaissance in
architecture, we as individuals need to
experience renaissance of the spirit of
ITS. We need to live again that period
which prompted Nathan Hale to give
his life freely and gladly for his country
and which brought forth from the lips
OF Patrick Henry that immortal phrase,
Give me liberty or give me death!"
The forces from without which now
confront this Nation are no less sinister
and cataclysmic in their design than
those during the dark and fateful period
attending the birth of the Nation The
spirit of the Nation is not everlasting.
Nations are like individuals. They live
and reach their moment of fulflment
and then decline. Only their seed
is perpetuated; and that by their off,
spring. Today, this Nation stands at
the crossroads. Either it will march on
ward and upward to that glorious des-
tiny forseen by its founders; or, by its
own acts. it will relegate itself to OBJ
scurity. While we tarry and hesitate in
indecision, the world around us is crash
ing. The other nations need our leader
ship. The call to action is now. Awake
Americans, before it is too late!
PAUL D. HAMMACHER