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National Geographic : 1915 Mar
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Photo by Albert G. Robinson SUMMER ARCADES IN WASHINGTON Many of the streets and avenues in the National City are transformed into sheltered, green-walled arcades in summer by the magnificent forest growths which border them. One may read a lesson in Gothic architecture as he walks, for he finds himself in the midst of a far-drawn-out Gothic archway whose parts are giant trees and whose whole represents the archetype of the bright conceptions of the Gothic builders. In those days there were men a-plenty in Congress and out who bitterly opposed provisions for the future of the Capital City. To them the old doctrine of letting each generation provide for its own needs outweighed every other consideration; but a grateful nation rejoices today that the wisdom of the Father of his Country prevailed, and that the National Capital was built for us as well as for the people of his generation. THE FUTURE AMERICA If we are grateful that Washington made provision for the century ahead of him, how much the more should we be careful to provide for the century ahead of us! Consider what that future may be. Our whole history shows that we grow from decade to decade in increasing vol- ume. From 1870 to 1880 our population increased about 12 millions; from 1880 to 1890 it increased 13 millions; from 1890 to 1900 it increased 14 millions, and from 1900 to 1910 its increase exceeded 16 millions. But suppose from this time henceforward for the next hundred years it never exceeds 16 millions a decade, we shall have 260 million Americans whose seat of government will be at Washing ton. Washington picked a site for the thou sands of years which we hope will be the measure of our national destiny. The capital of no other nation approaches it in the beauty of its situation, and no where else does nature so admirably lend itself to the embellishing touch of art. The controversy over the location of the National Capital, which finally ended in the selection of "the original ten miles
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