Evening star., 1943-04-25

in the Capital. However, what we see
now in this particular section, speaks for
itself, while what was there in Lincolns
day is no longer and consequently must
be described to the many thousands of
residents whose memory does not run
back so far.
Naturally, the Washington Monument
was the principal object that met
Lincoln's gaze, for even at that time it
had risen to the height of ITO feet, and,
standing alone, with no high structure
near it, undoubtedly looked quite for
midable even in its mcompleted state.
And, besides this, no man loved the first
President better than did Lincoln whose
tribute to him will ever live. OF him he
said:
washington is the mightiest name on
earth-long since mightiest in the cause
Of civil liberty, still mightiest in moral
reformation. On that name no eulogy
is expected. It cannot be. To add
brightness to the sun or glory to the
name of Washington Is alike impossible.
Let none attempt it. In solemn awe
pronounce the name and in its naked
deathless splendor leave it shining on"
When in the White House, President
Coolidge, we are told, made statement,
brief as it was, that showed his great
reverence for President Washington. He
was, it seems, standing at the time in
one OF the upper south rooms Of the
mansion, talking to a friend who was
telling him of certain sighting remark
made by public speaker about this
good man and Father of His Country.
when Mr. Coolidge, turning toward tho
great white shaft and gazing upon it
intently. said, well, the Monument still
stands, anyhow"
Lincoln, OF course, had many reasons
for admiring this marble tribute to
Washington, for it was during his entire
administration that his Government was
fighting for the preservation of the
Union, for the achievement OF which
Gen. Washington played such an impor-
tant part-indeed, an indispensable part.
1t is also true that the Civil War Presi-
dent was member of Congress when
the cornerstone of the shaft was laid.
adjourn until sometime the following
month, after this event took place, it can
well be assumed that he was present at
the exercises and listened intently to the
Grafton delivered upon that occasion by
Robert c. Winthrop of Massachusetts,,
Speaker OF the House of Representatives.
1t is also probable that he had the
pleasure of seeing some Of the notables
invited to be present at that time, in
Guiding Mrs. Hamilton, the 91-year-old
relict of Alexander Hamilton, famous
American soldier and financier. Mrs.
Dolly Payne Madison also was among
those present. as well as Mrs. John
Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren,, Mil
lard Fillmore, Lewis Cass, Gen. Sam
Houston, Chief Justice Taney, George
Washington Parke Gusts, adopted son
OF Gen. Washington, and others.
Tiber Greek.
When the United States took title to
the Mall, in 1871, the Tiber flowed along
Its northern boundary for practically its
entire length. The portion east of
Twelfth street and nearest the Capitol
appears at an early date to have been
more or less heavily wooded, while from
Twelfth street westward to the river was
largely marsh and farm land, titled,
where tillable, by the so-called "obsti-
nate David Burnes, whom the record
shows was not obstinate at ALL
Squatter sovereignty seems to have
prevailed, for about 1902, according to
Christian Hines, colored man called