Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-07-21


flag. lfcrucl treatment like this is
deemed n suitable reward for the sol,
dlcr's tolls and dangers, where, here's
after, let me inquire, shall he find in
ccntlve TO cheer ana fire his heart IN
the hour ol danger aud on the field of
battle Sir. | know the generous fee,
llngs Of your bosom revolt at the
thought; that YOU arc ready To cxclaim,
forbid ii, gratitude; and that You are
prepared 10 cXhort the noble minded
youth of the country TO resent the in,
suit, and sustain the hard -earned fame
and lanrels of the brave and successful
cofnniahder of the Enlesiaen Armies
n commander who, according 10 the
testimony of CO... Richard NJ. Johnson,
was oltcner in action than any other
general and never sustained defeat
And seeing that gallant and victorious
general maligned ard lbeled day by
day in the official organ of Martin
Van Buren, as red pettcoat hero
and, superannatcd dotard,' feel i'm,
PEELED by strong sense ofduty tocast
aside every mere sentiment Of dellca-
cy, and to 'cry aloud and spare not the
abcttor, the encoutager, and respon-
slblc accessory, of those base libels
| shall therefore claim the right TO dis
cuss the political principles, the pub
lie conduct and behavior of Martin
Van Buren,, with that perfect freedom
which should characterize the indepen-
dent representative of ii plain, honest
and brave constituency. Where |
discover meanness will expose il to
the contempt and loathing of honora-
bic men; where | encounter audaci,
ty, shall maui its brazen head, and
level it in the dust; and where ! de-
tect corruption, | shall run my spear
into lis putrcscent carcass, up TO the
very hilt.
Let me now, Mr.. Chairman, turn
your attention to the amendment I'M
der consideration. 1t proposes TO strike
out orthc bill the sum of $1,000 in
tended for alterations and repairs OF
the Presidents house, and for the pur-
chase Of furniture, trees. shrubs, and
compost, and for superintendent of
the Presidents grounds. The site of
the presidential palace is perhaps not
less CONSPICUOUS than the Kings house
in many of the royal capitals of Eu-
rope. 1t is situated at the interscc-
ton ofiour spacious avenues, which ra-
date from this point as centre. The
palace pile is one hundred and seven
ty feet front, and cighty-siy deep, and
stands about the centre ola plat Of
ground containing twenty acres, the
whole whereof is surrounded by firm
ly built stone walls and lanceolated iron
railing, with. imposing portal abut-
ments and wcll-barred iron gates.
The main enteiance front faces north,
upon Lafayette square, and the garden
front to the south opens TO an extern
sive view os the river Potomac. As
the palace is very accurately described
by Mr., Elliot, in his Picture Of Wash
ington,' | will read a portion of that
descriptions:
cit is built Of white frcestonc, with
Ionic pilastcrs, comprehending two
stories ofrooms, crowned with stone
baustrade. The north front is orna
mented with a lofty portlco, with Ionic
columns in front, and projecting witt
three columns. The outer intercol
animation is for carriages TO drive into
and place company under shelter; the
middle space is the entrance for those
visitors who come on foot; the steps
from both lead to broad platform in
front Of the door Of entrance. The gar
den front is varied by having rusti-
Gated basement story under the Ionic
ordinance, and by scmicircuIar pro-
jccilng colonade Of SIX columns, with
Two flights Of steps leading from the
ground TO the level Of the principal
story"
Previous 70 its destruction by the
British army, on the gath Of August,
1914, there had been expended IN bull
ding the palace the sum Of three hun
bred and thirty three thousand two
hundred and seven dollars; aud since
that period the further sum Of three
hundred and one thousand four hun
bred and ninety-six dollar. and twenty
five cents, 10 rebuilding the interior,
and in erecting the two splendid por-
ticoes; making together the large IL
mount of SGs4,7Ol 2j laid out on the
palace structure alone. 10 say nothing
about the very liberal sums that have
been expended from time 10 time on