The Lincoln Memorial

I want to recommend Susan Mandel's fascinating article on the debates over the Lincoln Memorial. The story itself is interesting, but it also provides great insights into the weird politics of Progressive Era America, with people opposed to change of any kind like Joe Cannon ruling the House with an iron hand. It took ten years to get Congress to allow the Memorial to be built in its present location. Cannon wanted to build it next to Union Station. Others wanted it in Arlington. I was particularly amused by the strategy used to undermine the Arlington location. The speaker of the House after the Democrats took over the majority in 1911 was Champ Clark from Missouri. He said, "I, for one, will never consent to the erection of the Lincoln Memorial in any part of the South. We should not imitate the custom of the ancient Romans by placing a memorial of the conqueror in the territory of the conquered."

I'm not sure Clark really believed that strongly in this position but it was a good excuse.

Anyway, read the whole thing.