New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-07
Fourth Of July in WashinQton-Laying of the
Corner Stone of the Capitol-Address by Hon
nanirl Meh>fer &c. Nc.

WASHINGTON. Friday Juy 1.
The morning OF the nth Anniversary OF
American Independence, daWned glenousy. Inc
occasion having been selected for the laying OF
corner stone for the proposed enlargement oi The
Capitol Of the United states, at an early houf the
firing of canon, under direction Of Capt Z. Bucklng-
ham. and the busy str Of hunare1 OF s'rmscr' en-
terlng the city in all manner OF ConveyaAceS 70 par
tlclpaie therein. created Qulle an animated aspect.
There were not present 50 many visiting volunteer
soldery as otherwise would have been, OWING 10 me
fact Of the late day upon which notice OF the purpose
Was nut forth. The number of strangers present,
however the admirable arrangements OF those act
ing officially IN the matter win most remrNaoiy
pleasant condition OF the weather all tended 70 pro-
/ tucc as was the fact. - most happy result
At the hour often various military. bcne'oleni, M
erary and other associations. Win numerous CtZts
and strangers with The President OF The into states
and the heads of the various Departments of Govern
ment loned IN procession. ~ the CITY Hall. and
marched 20 the Capitol.
mony reformed WAS the formal " laying of the cor
ner stone" l. viii be remembered that two eXien-
slyc wmCs-one on the north, ana the other On the
south end of the present noble Old capitol 81 me
I-nion-arc to be added TO that building. ami the
stone, on the present occasion, was laid for the pu
pose Of progressing with the southern extension.
st the head OF The column. approaching the Gene
Of oucrailon, was President fillmore. beside whom
was Mayor Lenoy and eX-Mavor Sedton, followed
by tic clergy and officers OF the army IN the front
rank of which was Major Gen. Scott ani off 'efs OF
the navy, the members OF tae mas 3nc "Fdet' &
The ceremony commenced by an appropriate
and patriotic prayer by Kew MI bullcr, oi ue
EpiStO Church. invoking the ntefQoSilon Oh
Heaven. to preserve the corner stone a6Oni 10 be
laid and the stability OF TINS tnon until the last
final trump shall sound earth dissolution.
President Fillmore then stepped forward and al
iusing the stone, Mr.. Walter Of Philadelphia the
architect, engaged for the construction OF the en-
largcmont. deposited IN large glass jar contain
ing copy of the Constitution Of the United States,
of the Bible &c. The Grand Master Of the Masonic
Order T. B. , rcnch, declared. after some formal
ceremonies, that The stone was - wei aid, true ana
uusty" PRAYER was then made DN Ncf. tnarlt> \.
DAVIS of the VI L. Church.
The company then proceeded to the east front Of
the CaptOl-in front OF which there Ma> assembled
an imposing mass Of human beings the waving OF
military pumes with all the gay attire and happy
appearance incident to such an aSembiage of Amer
ioan frcemen. presented deeply interesting ana
pleasant aspect
Upon the i0iiy portico there we're coagscgaci the
President OF the nltCd states Tie lledd o the De
parimenis al Washington, Officers oi the Army ana
Navy. with representatives. of foreign nations AIS
ineulshed citizens and many ladies'.
The Orator OF the day, Hon. Daniel Webster,
came 20 the stand, accompanied by Nr Gurus, late
collector of the port OF New-l ORR ana Others
\ pertinent address Was made by Is IS i"lCh'
Esq a the head of the Masonic Order OF the Dis
tncl. TO whose special care the laying Inc corner
stoue had been comnitcd-durlng which ne an
nounced the fact of ms then wearing the Identical
Masonic aurOn. and using the same gaNal that were
IN the possession Of Gen. George Washington "hen
he land the original corner stone OF the tapioi, on
the 18th Septcmhcr. l7g-sOmc hty-clgf years ago
Mr.. WEBSTER WAS then introduced
He commenced by referring 20 the appropriateness
OF the day for such an occa ION ana gave utlcIhct TO
an exclamation OF Han. all ha 10 the day, IL inc
proudost the most to be reNered of all penoIS lo"n
10 tie political history of manklnd-onc that Aucrl-
cans only could properly understand ~ appreciate.
In the early history OF the Colonies. Bishop 1homa,
Blrhlcy filed, as with inspiration. the future M
poriance oi tins continent as " Westward the course
of emlre" should take Its Way'-spoke OF broad
area OF earth as stage pinccSand monarcNs 10
pr,lcpale IN and behold he play OF coming events
Mr.. " SAID that when the Fathers OF the touniry
lad Tie foundation stone olthls Repubhc1hey formed
the basis OF the world their stage. and that nhn
ieV higher characters than princes have acted upon
thai stage. and more than monarchS behed ~
swelling grandeur and greatness. It. march Is sian
onward
On other DAYS. III the commIneling OF our people
II were common and lustiiable that they should. III
the exercise of their rights. indulge IN mere matters
of POLITICAL local or selfish feelings but 70 day, no
other feeling than that sprnging from sense Of or
all beng Americans should prevail Even - the
bright OF heaven, rising warm, glowing genial
above dispensing nlasInauc Ndpors from the earth
should the dawn OF THIS daS generate feelings tht
highest the hottest. The most patriotic THIS day All
should rejoice that for Seventyhve years tins Clio.
nous Union has been preserved andpray heaven Tor
lis protection and porpoiuiy.
There has been. sad Mr. W, other iOciucs
Greece pictured, IN her m>iortunes and fall a
the result OF want OF union and proper ieelIng
among her several states lie desired II 10 be re-
membered that she brought humby 10 the feet
of Philip, of Nacedon. because state would not unite
with state IN UNFOLDING general union. Rome was
prevailing feeling which Cndrdcterl1e> the American
ClilZen-WhO 60 where he WILL flnd Alm where Won
may, he presents the same great traits. Mr.. w.
referred TO the settlement OF Caiona, &c, II Illus
tTail0n.
Mr. W III this connection, also alluded 70 Gernt.
ny and Italy, as illustrative of their mcapa, y,
though awarding them many fine traits IN com Az
With cur people. for seli-government-a fact a.
he sand. that clearly demonstrated the
town American asSemblage IN contrast with other
countries.
Thc DrnciDleS of oalr American Governrenf b.,
SAID might be thus briefly summed up
p Isl. The recognition OF popular representations
III. The popular voice, a. expressed by the maJo-
Tty of The people. becomes law
81. The law governs all the people, and IS reeOg-
Missed as the rule OF the Government.
Mr.. W next asked, what constitutes state and
Wen, OF 10 show thai Il : not high walled battle
mentS. or the force OF physical power m the Gov
eminent, but well directed public mind. and Just
appreciation Of the blessings of Union and Liberty.
To secure these. Il We're necessary 10 promote edu
cation and morals
Mr.. Webster SAID he had caused 10 be deposited IN
the corner stone, Just land for the extension OF the
capitol statement, written IN lls OWN hand, setting
IOr'h INC commencement of the Union of these
states that 1t still exists which he had signed With
hl> own name a. Secretary OF State of the United
states, concluding II with the emphatic expression
OF " God save the Republic Upon the conc uSlon
OF thi> announcement, there We're gwen continued
cheers
Mr. w then passed IN a brief. concise and irnpo-
sing review the history OF the Government n IN
IT. Naslec phases, numerical, financial comrner,,a
&e-nannng, among other prosperous cltle~ OF The
thoh' fhliaae ipa-w nch ha> rson from 80 900 DO
wealth Ana all these great features of orr b,,so
naris and The country. he sand : - h. s,--,S
/ he general projections Afforded bv means - ~
mon. by which every public interest = nroo,o, .S
protected and iosiered t"'"'"'eU'
ComQaints y Is true. were heard aS IN tho ,,or,h
} q ne Mon but when these shall. IA. ha.rd -.
SAYS Baltimore. Philadelphia. New-Yors all p ia'
ten lie Was free 10 say, he declared IN. ~
t,cilc, the honest the SooeT-mndesi men 80 IA
1 Un'orr S' 'li>
/ R-i. sad Gr. w. tltle does come ap counls,n,
III; he Hsa. " DO drawn u-o ,hlS I ala-, al,
/ &c, row 90 SEE - l.. VA caa Iirg l.s r-or,ei
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