OCR Text |
Show A Memorial To Lincoln. The Library Committee of the House of Representatives Rep-resentatives at the late session reported favorably on a bill providing for the extension and beautifying beauti-fying of the capitol grounds in Washington. It is understood that this will include a monument to Abraham Lincoln, and that the first stone shall be laid on the centennial anniversary of Mr. Lincoln's birth, February 12th of next year. It is a misfortune that Congress did not offer a premium for the best design for this national memorial. But artists the world around should, without any promise of reward, beg on the possible possi-ble acceptance of their design be at work to prepare pre-pare something to be submitted. Of course men may say, "it would be idle to work upon anything without knowing somewhat near the amount that will be set aside for the work, but in this case it is known that It is expected the memorial will cost at least $1,000,000 and if the design happens to be magnificent and striking to a degree, it is safe to conclude that Congress will not haggle o"Ver the cost? - - In preparing it there should be kept In mind the character of the man whose memory this monument mon-ument will be Intended to honor. On tho Potomac Poto-mac is the monument to Washington. It is cold and white and towers above all other structures of stone, and that is as it should be. Washington Washing-ton in life was austere and generally smilelesa and towered above all other men in the measure of his fame, hence the shaft to him Is signally appropriate. Can anything as appropriate be designed for a Lincoln memorial on the heights behind tho capitol? For him who was at once sad and genial and strong, whose love of country was all-embracing, whose consecration to duty was absolute; ab-solute; who in his life was Truth Incarnated and whose death was the closing sacrifice of a mighty war? It may be a simple monument, it may be a national Pantheon; it may be a sublime arch of triumph with appropriate embellishments; only artists should decide. But whatever it may be, it should be the very acme of art in its severe simplicity and warm humanity. It should not be bronze; it should not bo alabaster. If stone, the tents should be soft and warm and should carry an idea that would symbolize the man as he was on earth in his completeness, his gentleness, gentle-ness, In his truth and power. His sovereign soul was sent to tho world not only to save his country, but to bo an example for all time to his countrymen. Can any artist catch that idea and in some form give It expression? expres-sion? If there is any such, his design will bo accepted whether it cost much or little; and on that thought the work should be begun. |