SYMBOL OF GREAT NATION

Evening Star, Issue 23701, 8 October 1940, Page 8

SYMBOL OF GREAT NATION

I have a small piece of writing paper in my possession which 1 cannot handle without something of a thrill, says a writer in the ‘ Melbourne Age.' I must frankly admit that I stole it, but plead excess of excitement as justification. There are a few words printed on the top of this small piece of paper which / show its origin"THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON.”

The notepaper came from that simple yet famous room where the President of the United States meets his Cabinet. There is the chair in which so many great men have sat—Lincoln, Wilson, and Theodore Roosevelt. 1 could not sit in that chair without a feeling of awe; nor gaze around the room without realising that here was the romantic centre of American life, here was the heart of a great nation. Yet the room, like the White House itself, is simple, unpretentious. There are no gaudy or spectacular decorations; the House is solid, comfortable, and spacious, the emblem of a people whose whole tradition is simplicity and freedom.

The White House is the nerve centre of American life, symbol of its unity, pride of its past, and witness to its future. The House itself is of freestone, built in the English renaissance style, and painted white. It was evening when 1 got my first glimpse of it. I had struck up an acquaintance with a young American on the day of my arrival in Washington, and with typical friendliness he walked round with me in the cool evening to see something of the city.. It amazed me when we casually strolled into the gardens of the White House. It was all so easy. I stood gazing at the front of this famous House. Four imppsmg pillars support the entrance. They are flanked by spacious windows on either side. A large carriageway sweeps right up to the door, and an oval pool is directly in front. Next day, aided by my Australian letter of introduction and the kindly offices of another friend, I was taken over the home of America’s President. From room to room we passed, and all the time I was thinking of the romance and heroism that lie behind this large, pleasant house, pulsating as it is with the heart-beats of history. Taken into the room where but recently the President of the. United States entertained the King and Queen during their American tour, I could not but be stirred by thoughts of the blood and bitterness that had come between us in the past, and marvel at the rapidity with which the world was healed. The White House is different from the rest of Washington. Mighty buildings dominant and futuristic,_ thrust upward in the great city with its 310,000 public servants. But at its heart there is this old house, the foundation stone of which was laid by George Washington himself. It has been the official residence of America’s President since it was first occupied in 1800 by John Adams.

Fourteen years later, in August, 1814, the British laid waste the.city. It was a brief but poignant incident in the war between England and America, of which Henry Adams said of one of the many naval duels; “ A small affair it might appear among the world’s battles, it took but half an hour, but in that half an hour the United States of America rose to the rank of a tirstclass Power,” Britain had blockaded the coast, and was landing invading parties. Several thousand land troops and marines under General Ross were landed about 60 miles from Washington, and marched against the city. The American militia made a brief stand at Bladensburg on August 24, and on the same evening the British took possession of Washington. Stores were destroyed, two ships burnt, public buildings, including even the mansion of the President, were plundered and set on fire. Apparently the invaders did not realise the significance of their prize, for within a few hours they returned to their ships. And the White House was saved.

The first President, Washington, was 22 years old. He gave the capitol city its name, and was a major in the militia when he was chosen for his first important task. Through stressful years he was the guiding genius in that epoch-making struggle which gave America freedom. His spirit has ever since inspired the occupants of the White House. So great was his patriotism and so high his altruism that in May, 1782, he repelled withdisdainthe offer of a crown from certain individuals in the army. Later he wrote to the Governors of the States: “According to the system of policy the States shall adopt at ttys moment they will stand or fall . , . there are four things which I humbly conceive are essential to the well-being, I may even venture to say, to the existence, of the United States as an independent power—an indissoluble union of the States under one Federal head, a sacred regard to public justice, the adoption of a proper peace establishment, and the prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the people of the United States which will induce them to forget their local prejudices.” If, as has been observed, the name of Washington was almost a part of the Constitution, the snirit of Lincoln became the life force of .the nation which emerged after the Civil War. In Lincoln’s mind the issues were clear cut.

“ A house divided against itself,” he declared, “ cannot stand. I believe this Government cannot endure half slaves and half free. I do not expect the house to fall, but I expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.” After years of stern struggle he was struck down in the hour of his triumph by the bullet of John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1803. “ There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen!” said Stanton in tears at the President's death couch The hero of ‘ From Log Cabin to White House ’ has been followed by a long succession of great men.

In 1800, under the Presidency of John Adams, who followed George Washington, Congress met in Washington for the first time. _ Twenty-three years later, under President Monroe, the famous doctrine that bears his name was enunciated, and the influence of the United States began to be felt. . . , And through all the vicissitudes of the years White House has stood with quiet dignity and austere power.