The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-31
[From the Washington Union.
Fire in the CaDitOl,

capitol was IN lanes. The lear at nrst
was that the entire building would be de.
stroyed, and the clouds of smoke that were
seen issuing from the marble walls of the
great structure but too strongly confirmed
the general apprehension. 1t soon became
manifest, however. that the fire was con-
fined TO the large hall which contained the
Library Of congress. This spacious room,
occupying the entire centre front Of the
building, has been destroyed, together with
almost all of its valuable contents. Aeon
siderable portion of this loss is entirely if.
reparable, and will be deeply felt by the
country. The Library contained much
valuable matter, both manuscript and prin-
ted-some Of it of high importance for the
calculation of the history OF the country
which cannot be replaced. Besides this,
many pictures Of much value, and a large
collection of medals, coins, and other an
tique and curious specimens in various
departments of art and science, have per-
ished in the flames. The loss of these
rare and valuable articles is a national ca
lamity which will be felt more profoundly
even than the destruction of the noble col
lection Of books which had been gathered
by the liberal policy Of the government,
and which may in due time be replaced.
1t is a matter of congratulation, however,
that the main part of the building, and es-
pecially the halls occupied by the two
houses of Congress, are uninjured, so that
the legislative business of the country can
still 90 on without serious inconvenience
or interruption.
Too much praise cannot be awarded TO
the fire companies OIL the ground. But for
their exertions, the entire Capitol would
now be a heap Of ruins. The weather was
intensely cold; yet they labored with a de-
gree of zeal and perseverance worthy Of
the highest commentator.
The origin of the fire is entirely un-
known. We understand that the usual
precautions were observed in the Library.
and, so far as is known. in other parts Of
the Capitol, on the evening preceding the
conflagration. We have heard that the
appearance Of the library room when the
fire was first discovered indicated the
work Of an %incendiary. The matter, how
ever, will doubtless soon receive u full Off
cial examination, and no reliable opinion
upon these points can be formed in advance
Of such an investigation.
We find in the Washington Telegraph,
Of Wednesday evening, the following de-
tails of this melancholy event. which agree
in all material respects with the accounts
which we have ourselves received:
DESTRUCTION OF THE LIBRARY OF Con.
GREss.-lt is with feelings of profound re-
greet that we record this great calamity.
At six O'Clock this morning the doors of
the Capitol were opened by Mr.. John w.
Jones. captain Of the Capitol police, at
which time he believes there was nothing
on tse throughout the building. At a
quarter before eight o'clock, however, on
approaching the door OF the Library, he
was convinced from the smell of smoke
that something was wrong, and he accord
ingIy forced his way in by breaking a
panel Of the door. The tables, books.
shelves, &C., in the northeast end Of the
room were all on fire; but he believes they
could have have been extinguished at that
moment by the use ofhalf a dozen buckets
of water. But the opening of the door
gave vent to the flames, and they soon as.
sended to the roof, and spread rapidly
throughout the entire room.
The few persons in the building were
with difficulty called to render assistance,
and when they arrived it was impossible
to save the main room or its contents. The
contents Of the smaller library room. com.
prlsing a great variety Of antique works,
&C., were saved in a somewhat damaged
condition.
A messenger (Mr. Baldwin, was imme-
diately despatched Tor the city fire COM
panies, who had but just returned from the
fire at the Franklin Hotel; but, owing to
the improbability OF his report, it was not
till after considerable delay that he could
procure any aid from them. The engines
were finally obtained. and carried by the
fireman into the rotundo, and upon the
eastern portico, from which positions they
propelled water to the roof over the Libra.
ry, and thus eytirguisheG the flames.
The Library occupied that portion of
the building Immediately within the west
ern portico, and was so isolated from the
rest OF the building as to involve but little
injury to other portions. The adjacent
committee-rooms with their papers, are,
however, somewhat damaged.
What extent of loss has been sustained,
we are at this m unable to conjecture;
but fifty or sixty thousand is probably the
number Of volumes. and many of them
were of rare worth; while the value of the
works of art. the collection OF ancient coins,
medals and other curiosities, &C., cannot
be approached in any estimate.
The marble busts Of jefferson, Lafay.
cite. Taylor, &C.; the portraits OF Wash.
ington and "a. Adams; a number of old
paintings; the files of the National Intel.
%ligencer," &c.-all are gone.
LATER.-We have heard discriminating
persons estimate the value of the hooks