The republic., 1851-08-09
From the Christian Statesman.
The City OF Washington.

1t must be source of qualification to the people
of the whole country to learn that the seat of Co.
vernment is rapidly becoming great and splendid
city. There are few places in the Union improv-
ing more rapidly, while the demand for houses
and the rate of rents consequently on the in
crease.
This unwonted prosperity is partly to be attri
buted to the general growth Of the country in pop
uaton and wealth, which increases necessarily
the operations of the Government, and brings
greater numbers to the capital on business or for
pleasure. But, in our view, il is chiefly owing to
the appropriation for adding to the Capitol, which
dissipates all fears of its removal from this city
The prosperity Of Washington has long been re-
tarded by this apprehension and now, that the
question may be regarded settled, we have no
doubt that career of prosperous growth has dawn
ed upon it, which good citizens little dream Of
When the contemplated improvements in the
public grounds take place, as planned by Mr.
Downing, the city will be without rival on the
American continent for the beauty and magnifi.
cencc of its public parks. This circumstance must
attract the wealthy classes from the North and
South, who have amassed fortunes, and whose OBJ
ject in life has ceased to be gain.
II is a necessary result for the seat of Govern
ment to become great city II always has been
30 in all ages of the world, and il will be so here
II is true that our commercial advantages not
equal to those Of other places, and that, such as
they are, they have not been improved. This cir
cumstance to most minds is insuperable barrier
to the growth Of Washington. But did they ever
reflect that Paris, with it's million and quarter
of inhabitants. that St. Petersburg, with its half
million, that Vienna, Berlin, and Madrid, have
none of them equal advantages with Washington
in this particular
But if Washington needed the aid of commerce
to make it great, it could have that aid The en-
terprise of Boston would long ago have built up
commerce at this place. There are few better
rivers than the Potomac for purposes of navigation
and it would be difficult to find its equal in mag
niicence and beauty.
In the convenience of its location as regards
health and comort and the grandeur of the scenery
which surrounds it, there few places in the
world that can rival Washington The scenery
about London and Paris, and most of the great
cities of Europe, according to the testimony Of
travellers, is mean and contemplate in comparison
with that which surrounds this city.
The great founder of Washington contemplated
that itwas be the chief seat of science and learn
ing, as well as government, in the United States;
and our fellow citizens should never for moment
lose sight of that idea. He recommended the
founding of great university at this place, which
short sighted politicians, in the hustle of party
strife, have neglected or refused to carry out Now
that the country has grown great and powerful,
even beyond what Washington himself contem-
plated we hope to see his sage counsel acted upon.
There is at present no such thing great uni.
versity in the United States, compared with
those of England, Germany, France, and Spain.
individuals and State governments have been too
circumscribed in means to found institutions in
sixty hundred years equal to those in Europe.
which are the accumulated works of ages. But
the Federal Government has it in its power to rival
or excel the greatest Of them at All that is
wanted is the wise liberaty which Washington
recommended.