Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-24
From the Correspondent of the Baltimore American.
WAsHINGToN Feb l7lh. 1929.

WARRINGTON, Feb. l7lh, 1929.
We have at length arrived at that point OF
time in which the natural AID political elements
here delight in commo,ion. The whirlwind,
the gus, and the storm, with intervals OF calm,
aud moments Of sunshine play alternately over
th,s ours,re,ching plains; and the hopes, ex-
pscts,ions, fears, jealou>ics and rivalries, The
as many phases and PtaSissies, as the clouds
driven by the winds.
Yesterday, though admoDishsd to the contra
~ by the howlings Of an unreIenting north.
wsster, | ventured 10 push my rambe. 20 lhr
WESTMINSTER ABBEY, or in more republic an
style, 10 the public grave yard Of this CITY,
which is situated to the northwest OF the E ,s'.
ern branch of The Potomac, about a mile and a
half east of The Capitol. l had expected to be
engaged much more intensely ny the sepulchral
ground and it's monumental testimonies, Than
was realized in The vsi,, - although thr tomb
or the fumnlns Away, affects mr. to a degree IF
SOLE mnity which no words can express. The
corpse OF the dead, in state, or Enclosed in a
o"fin never brgrts in nv mind ryhe of the
awe which ever subdues me when look upon
grave, ITO matter how old, or how young, how
august, or how obscure the departed may have
been; the grare eves all distinctions, and fuI-
Judgment day will be read in the history Of the
whole human race. "aa hare d,ed."
The grounds are in d verN rude state, enclos-
ed by paneled buck wall, with several ga,e-
ways, aid may be entered by Style, a, the
uor,h-~es, angle; bu' for which ra"g, RS would
be entirely di>epp ia,ed 10 their visits to this
m"urntul spot. There is no, house near the
premises, nor janitor at hand to admit or re.
FMS ri mi | Iol h,o
while TO linger among lhe graves and the mo,
numents Of those ike myself, who have attain
ed 10 no dstinc ton in this world, but buri
here because death has overtaken them in this
city If hamle's. Here and :hrre l observed
some naked graves, tufed only by he swsrd
winch cover, his whole valley, whose tenants
have acquired Pope first desire
-' Steal from this world, nor let stone,
Tell where lie"-
Others are incissed by brick and stabbed with
marble, having ordinary obituary inscriptions,
not OF sufhciert point in any instance, 10 reward
the trouble Of transcription, especially wnen
quivering unGer the influence OF an angry and
pi,iless northwest blast. Tired OF this mono
tonous assemblage, bent my slow Steps 10
those prouder columns, " hich challenge insprc.
ton by comparison-by contrast 81 ould say
with those humble mementos ! had just lett
These are the monumental al dedc 10 men,
who had acquired some distinction IN their day
and generation, and are, with few exceptions,
the tonbs Of deceased members OF Congress.
They are principally arranged in Two parallel
lines, al the head Of one and the other of which
are erected those 10 commemorate GEORGE
CLINTON and ELBRIDeE GERRy.Vioe Presidents
OF The United States. They are both pyrami
dsl. one finished with fime, and the other
with an hour glass. IN the eastern panel #
hat OF Clinton Is very handsome bus Of The
deceased, and below il an inscription ich
Transcribed; but having no Characteristic value,
Immediately afterwards rendered i, as peace
off ring 10 the angry winds.
Stretching suuthwardly from the monuments
Of the Vice Presidents are arranged, as before