The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-22
TOT Ule UhIui
laying tho CorMer-StOno OF tho Capitol.
Yours, truly,
-" That time is past,
nd al ina arhiny nv. arc ppVy II


And all its dizzy rapiares."
Seveniyfye years have pa ssed away since the
BILE Declaration OF American Independence was published
TO the world. Annually has the great political blessing
achieved by fathers been celebrated in this country
and annually may be celebrated 10 the as syllable Of
recorded time" whatever may be the efforts OF wicked
and ambitious men to sever the bond that binds our
States together in glorious Union, and that has
given freeom protection happiness, and greatness to
the American people nation, and made il splendid
example to the rest OF The world.
Fiy-eght years ago the first stone of the Cap
iio laid by the Father of Liberties in the belief
that the edce which 10 be reared above it would be
the enduring memcnto of the greatness of a nation which
had JUS, sprung into existence. and lasting the
ton itself. OF the small corfegc that assembled tina,
memorable occasion to unite in the ceremonies which
then took place how many present the 4h inst,
amid the countless numbers who had llocked 10 the
city to attend and give an imposing effect 10 the
MES Of laying the stone Of the addition 10 that
splendid edhce felt that stood almost alone amid
this vast multitude OF human beings-that but one or
two OF those who attended the first with me- were there
to witness the laying of the second. | thought of the
rustic bridge the Tiber over which they had
passedof the dense forest which surrounded the site OF
the Capito-oi the 'woods, and wilds, and melancholy
gloom" that everywhere reigned over what is now
crowded with population and Improvements. asked.
Where they | then knew and whom then saw -
and Echo answered, Where2
A new generation before and around me. stood
no, far from where had stood fy-eigbt years before, 10
witness the ceremony which then took place under the d-
Tecon OF the Father OF his County II the fret and
asst time ever behed him. and his aiesc and imposing
presence made a lasting impression my youthful mind
which time cannot Then five six hundred com.
posed the eorisge that followed him. and three -four
hundred OF all ages and sizes the population OF our
city: now the population OF that city alone amounts 10
forty odd thousand To me the contras, melancholy
Amid the msluiudes around me, | felt almost a
stranger ] saw but few OF those | had known
even in early manhood All had all
will 60 in a few brief years, and none will ever again
witness the ceremonies OF laying the Of the
Capitol OF the United States. thought of him who then
ofhcaied at those ceremonies and who stood proudly
eminent in the crowd that surrounded hm-of the sub.
lime feeling which inspired him in planting the first stone
OF the Capitol OF great republic 10 which he had been
so instrumental in giving exs,ence--o the sentiments
which animated all who then present-ol their love
Of the glorious and happy Union which had recently
been consummated, and Of the horror with which the
bare mention OF disunion would have filled every bosom
I" Times have changed, and we have changed with
them or him who ofica,ed 10 laying the second
corner stone OF the Capitol, | will say nothing, and
shall not trust myself TO draw comparison; but OF the
stone itself, must be permitted 10 observe that Il was
altogether unsued 10 the purpose for which Il used
and Is 10 be hoped that the future material will not be
OF a similar character The procession, too, regret 10
saw was from some cause other far from being what
had been anticipated wha, il should have been such
an occasion Al all events, II greatly inferior to that
which attended the laying Of the cornerstone Of the
Washing ton National Monument three years ago But il
is now overthe pageant has passed-anda addition
TO the Capitol is about 10 rise either side OF that with
which our eyes have been 80 long familiar. Whether il
will add to or mar its beauty will depend upon the skill
and taste OF the architect who has been employed
N II A u - H..
,ha, expectation No disappointed have now seen the
commencement OF both eiihces and may they both
dure as long as the famous pyramids Of Egypt
In future remote and distant age OF the world, should
ruin sweep over our beautiful city, and make il, like
Babylon and Palmyra, marble desert curious an.
uquaan, IN excava,ing the foundations OF Capitol
may possibly discover the Of Waiard Fillmore as
one OF the Presidents OF the United States enclosed in
the corner stone laid by him the 9TH instant If il has
not crumbed into dust, and may also, perhaps find the
characters which compose il difficult to decpher as
the ancient Egyptian beroglyphics before Cbampoleon
discovered the key, and when unraveled be little
known that OF Ramazes, any other Pharaoh, who
once welded the seepre OF authority for brief hour
and then forgotten. The patriot chiefs Of the
luton have passed away new race has arisen, who
"come like shadows-so depart" History will doubt
less record the of those who once filled the exec
uiiye chair. but memory will fail 10 retain them and
they will be- like the myrads who then lived buried in
the tomb OF oblivion, and utterly unknown il they
had never breatbed the vital air. w.
III