Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-14

'On the morning of the first day Of the
seventy-sixth year Of the independence Of
the United States Of America, in the city
of Washington, being the 4th day of July.
1851, this stone. designed as the corner
stone OF "the extension ofthe capitol, ac-
cording to plan approved by the Presi-
dent" in pursuance Of an act Of Congress.
was laid by Millard Fillmore, President of
the United States, assisted by the Grand
Master Of the Masonic Lodges, in the pres
ence Of many members Of Congress.of off
GERS Of the executive and Judiciary depart
ments, national, State and district Of Off
GERS ofthe army and navy the corporate
authorities ofthis and neighboring cities;
many associations, civil. and military, and
masonic, officers Of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition and National Institute; professors of
colleges, and teachers Of schools Of the
districts. with students and pupils; a vast
concourse of people from places near and
remote, including few surviving gentle
men, who witnessed the laying Of the
cornerstone of the Capitol by President
Washington, ON the 18th day Of Septem-
Der, (1793) seventeen hundred and ninety
ty-three. If. thereforeit shall be hereafter
the viii Of God that this structure shall
fall from its base, that its foundation be up
turned, and the deposit beneath this stone
brought to the eyes of men, be it then
known that, on this day, the Union of the
United States Of America stands frm--that
their constitution still exists unimpaired,
and with all its original usefulness and
glory, growing every day stronger and
stronger in the affections of the great
body of the American people, and at
tracing more and more the admiration
of the world. And all here assembled,
whether belonging to public life or to pri-
vate life, with hearts devoutly thankful to
Almighty God for the preservation Of the
liberty and happiness ofthe country, unite
in sincere and fervent prayers that this de-
post, and the walls and arches, the domes
and towers, the columns and entablatures,
now to be erected over it, may endure for
ever.
God save the United States Of America
DANIEL WEBSTER,
Secretary ofState."
Fellow Citizens :-Fifiy-eight years a.
go, Washington stood Oh this spot to exc
cute similar duty to that which has now
been performed. He then laid the corner
stone ofthe original Capitol. He was at
the head Of the Government, at that time
weak in resources, burdened with debt,
just struggling into political existence, and
agitated by the heaving waves which We're
overturning European thrones. But even
then, in many important respects, the Gov
ernment was strong. 1t was strong in
Washington's own great character-it was
strong in the wisdom and patriotism of other
eminent public men, his political associates
and fellow laborers-it was strong in the
affections Of the people. Since that time
astonishing changes have been wrought in
the condition and prospects of the Ameri-
can nation; and degree of progress wit
messed to which the world can furnish no
parallel. As we review the course Of that
progress, wonder and amazemcnt arrest
our attention at every step. The present
occasion, allowing of no heightened re-
marks, may yet, perhaps, admit Of a short
comparative statement between important
subjects of National interest as they existed
at that day, and as they now exist. Ihave
adopted, for this purpose, the tabular form
ofstatement as being the most brief and
the most accurate.