The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-05
THE DAILY UNION,

former-its wonderfully intricate details, all tending
to harmonious symmery--farm III emblem OF the
great oneness Of our people in their devotion to po
ltcal freedom, amid The diverse and seemingly d.
vergent interests of the republic; and even It's i'll.
proportioned and towering dome bears witness TO
the expansive sphere within which our enterprise
and prosperity are moving in harmonious concert
And how beautifully symbolica Of the simplicity
of our countrys ideal head Is the neat white e!hce
provided for our chosen republican chief! II Is
there, within the halls of that unpretending man
sion, that the American citizen may perceive the
substantial reality of his freedom; for its occupant
by far the otesi political dignary on earthis but
the illustrator of popular sovereigntythe represent
alive Of mans dignity, repudiatng the oppressive
and struggling traditions Of the past.
The growth Of our institutions has given increased
importance TO the departments in charge of those
officers Immediately connected with the executive;
and, within the last eight or ten years, Congress
warned by the fate of the old Treasury, and Post
Office, and Patent Office budings-has turned it's
attention to the vital necessity Of securing the pub
lie archives against ordinary contingencies and at
the same time added to the architectural adjournment
Of the capital The new Treasury, Patent Office,
and Post Office buildings have risen within that Pc
Rod and seem, by their construction, TO bid defiance
TO the destructive element There is feeling of awe
and admiration awakened in the mind by the con-
temptation of that long and unbroken colonnade on
fifteenth street. with its rich Ionic grace and pure
classic proportions II is to be regretted that the
congressional and executive fiat allotted this edifce
contracted and unfavorable site still more TO be
deplored that the fine proportions and beauty OF It's
design should have been so long marred by the abb
sence of It's south wing and principal facade, and the
awkward juxtaposition Of the common and fre-ex-
posed structure of the State department
The Patent Office building is more favorably stu
ated; but here, too the design is unfinished, and we
have yet to witness the imposing effect Of its mag
nifcent Parthenon portico and Doric massiveness
and solidity.
When these two structures shall have been COM
peted agreeably to their respective designs, we
doubt not that they too will elicit as favorable mo-
tice that so worthily bestowed on the Post Office
building by the correspondent Of the Morning
News" ''The subordination of the beautiful TO the
useful" in its design is the highest praise that can
be awarded to any edifce That this essential point
has been gained in the construction Of the marble
Post Office building, is explicitly admitted in the
"Noes of Tourist" Its architecture is novel and
emineny tasteful and its exterior and interior beau
ty bears irrefagabe testimony to the genius skill,
and refined judgment Of its protector. Now, is il
necessary, Mr.. Editor, to add to the well-earned
fame Of an able and efficient executive officer and,
collaerally, Of an honest and patriotic administra
ton, by forgetting or sighting, or, perhaps, not
knowing, the claims of an architect to some share in
the projection and "supervision" Of even govern
mental edifices?
know not, sir, whether you are acquainted with
but should, perchance, his connection with The
building Of the monumental church" in Richmond
or the designing and supervising of the noble monu-
ment in Baltimore to the honored "Father of his
country" with numerous structures throughout the
country that attest his professional merit and emil
nent usefulness, have endowed him with the title
Of an "old acquaintance" you will, am sure, be
pleased to vindicate the genius and just claims OF
Mr. Robert Mills, of your city. The stability,
commodious arrangement, and beauty Of the Post
Office building deservedly admired by every vis-
tor to the capital; and to the doubt of-repeated
inquiry-"who reared this noble structure 7" the
answer that il was 'erected under the supervision
of Amos Kendall, once the able chief Of the depart
nunt, " must be inconsequent and unsatisfactory in
the extreme.
Too often does il happen that the efforts of genius
are disregarded and spurned as visionary; too Of
ress Of society is their originator forgotten, his
legitimate laurels usurped or reaped by others.
Rarely does the of genius possess the rude iron
nerve necessary to combat for his undoubted rights
and beat back the wave Of persecution in which
envy, or jealousy, or presumptve authority is ready
to bury him. Let the honest statesman of the coun-
| try-him who has lofty consciousness of the pow
er with which science and the arts invest On aspi-
ring people--arouse the neglected votary from his
lethargy and vndcate his claims to the admiration
and gratitude Of his country. And let the PRESS
| the mighty buckler of humanty-echo the appeal,
| merit in obscurty.
You are not probably aware, Mr.. Editor, tina,
\ there was attempt under Mr.. Van Buren's adj
minisraon, to sacrifice the professional reputation
of Mr.. Mills, at the expense of science, and in the
interest of a degenerate party. Il was then grave
| ly pretended by the Committee on Public Build
| ings and Grounds, with the Hon. Levi Lincoln OF
| Massachusetts,, as chairman and oracle, and two
protested architects vouchers that the walls OF
the Treasury bulldog then in process OF erection,
could not possibly sustain the lateral pressure OF
the arches; and that they must inevitably crumblc,
as soon as the temporary stays should be taken
away. There was nothing more consistent, then,
with their enlarged notions of benevolence than to
/ foresta fate; and the committee, therefore, recomr
mended the demolition Of Tie ,chol bre-doomed struc.
i,e! Unfortunately for the poliico-scientifc rcpu-
taton Of the gentlemen, their apprehensions or fore.
gone conclusions were not shared in by majority
/ the House; and the mathematical structure, with
| its magnificent colonnade and mortar-bound arches
| will for ages, rebuke The presumption of politicians
and vindicate the combinations and fearless faith o
it's experienced and skilful architect.
4 Go to the upper apartment of the Patent Office
building, and you will there, however, find me-
mortal Of these gen,lemen's encroachments on .
sacred domain Without depreciating the beauty
and pleasing appearance Of this spacious room, you
cannot but observe the disagreenble effect of the
heavy entablaturc surmountng the columns thai
sustain the uprising arches. Mr.. Mills contem.
| piateu series Oh Hgnt groin arcnes 10 Hank tht
great central arch; and moments reflection or
visit to the auditors room in the Post Office Depart
ment, (if it still remains as it was originally vii
reveal the Incompatible superiority of the architects
design to the innovation effected by congressional
committee, despite the earnest protest Of the arch
tect.
II is no qualification to recall these foes of ou
legislators; but il incucate useful lesson
--the injustice of invading the domain Of science ir
the name Of party, and Of wrongng the man o
genius by subjecting his works to the earnings o.
jealousy and the decisions Of an anomalous tribu
nal.
i Mr.. Mills was pupil Of the eminent Latrobs
when the latter was supervising the erection of the
Capitol, and is, believe, the Oldest and most ex-
perienced architect in the country. Chaste in hi,
conceptions Of architectural symmetry and beauty
his monuments Of the smother of arts have evincec
in him an eminently practical genius, combined
with unerring taste. He was one Of the very frs
to recommend, and project, and supervise the ercc.
ton Of yfre-pro@ buildings in the country Nough,
can equal his devotion TO his profession and his
country but his simplicity and purity Of character