The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-07-14
Independence Day in Washington
EXTENSION of THR CAPITOL.
MIR. WEBSTER'S GRAFTON.

The fourth of July was celebrated in Washing
ion by the entire population and large concourse
of visitors. TIE variou. divisions ofthe procession
were so full that the American Telegraph remarks
of its harmonious and imposing ranks The
programme of tn, days proceedings, like the orders
of Gen. Scott on the eve of his battles, might he
written down history after the event"
The President Cabinet, Army and Navy Off
GERS made splendid turn out. The President, in
the morning, delivered speech at the Washington
Monument, the reception Of stone from the
Pennsylvania Temperance Society,"
Tie multitude assembled on the Capitol Grounds
numbered not less than ten thousand persons. The
telegraph says:
The ceremony oflayng the corner stone (of the
Capitol Extension) could. of course, be witnessed
by but few Of the multitude. The ancient rites of
the Masonic fraternity were duly observed in the
ceremony. The address of B B. French NJ W.
q VI. Of the District of Columbia, was brief, oc-
rupping not more than twenty m nntes but il was
we'll expressed and to the purpose, assOciaring the
great idea of Union with the important event Of
the day."
The Grafton of Mr.. Webster occupied nearly two
hours in the delivery. The earlier portion of it is
learned and beautiful commentary on Liberty,
and especially the great fabric OF Amer rcan Liberty
The Grafton is reported in full in the NewYork
Herald of the 5th. We publish that larger portion
of it which relates 10 the particular occasion OF the
, Extension OF the Capitol.
Fellow citizens: By the act of Congress of Both
= September 1850, provision made for the ex-
tension OF the Capitol according to such plan as
NIGH be approved by the President of the United
States, and the necessary sums to be expended
under his direction, by such architect he might
appoint. This measure mpe rativey demand
ed for the OF the Legislature and judiciary de-
partments, public Libraries, and the occasional ac-
-. E Al.
, and other objects. No act of Congress, incurring
large expenditure, has received more general ap-
probation from the people. The President has
proceeded to execute this law He has approved a
plan-he has appointed architect, and all thing
ready for the commencement Of the work.
The anniversary of national Independence ap-
peared to afford auspicious occasion for laying
the foundation stone of the additional building
That ceremony has now been performed by the
Prrsldeat himself, in the presence and view OF this
multitude. He has thought that the duty and the
occasion made united and imperative call for
some short address to the people here assembled
and It is at his request that have appeared before
You TO perform that part OF the duty which wal
deemed incumbent Beneath the stone is
deposited, amor other things, list Of which vii
be published, the following brief account of the
proceedings OF the day, in my hand writing:
On the moInng The first day of the ,eventysst yea
Oi the i9tependence OF the United States of America in the
stone esgGaled corner stone Of The extension Of Ii,
s % sa. ' lid ff bg FIJI
President of the United States assisted by the Grsnc
bsr. Of Congress oess Of he executive and jadsar,
n s Sss snd % Ct Sssri I of tn
betng css; many a''Gcatons cv' and military and Ma
Institute professor. colleges aud teacher, schools
D'ns, with student. aPd pupils. ,ast eoneourse Of peo
gentlemen VINO witnessed The laying of the stone
ep,embe (795 seventeen bnndred and nineythree ii
therefore, sha be hereafter the wi Col that 'truc
and the deposit beneath this brought 10 the yes
United state. America ,tan. firmi6at ,he Constitution
still unmpalred, and with ali its gina usefulness
ions he sTea body Of the ASren prope and s se
ing more Ard I'd more the sdmlia'lon OF the word And
life, with hearts deYouty haDt in to mighty God io tn
unite and eryent ayers his deposit and ii
wal, and arches The domes and towers the columns
God save the United s,,es OF America.
DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary Of State.'
Fellow citizens: Fiity-eght years ago, Wash
ington stood on this spot to execute a similar dut,
to that which has now been performed He the
laid the stone of the original Capitol H
was at the head OF the Government, at that tim
weak in resources burdened with debt, just .teug
s.. Cling into political existence, and agitaed by tn
heavng waves which were overturning Europea
thrones But even then, in many important re
spects, the GoveDment strong 1t was .tron
IN Washlngtons own great character 1t wa
strong in the wisdom and patriotism of other EN-
nen public men, his political associates and fello,
laborers; it was strong in the affections of the pee
pie, Since that time, astonishing changes hav
been wrought in the condition and prospects of tn
American nation, and degree OF progress wi
messed to which the world can furnish no parable
AS we review the course OF that progress, wonde
aud amazement arrest attention at every stel
The present occasion, allowing of no lengthene
remarks, may yet perhaps, admit OF short con
paratlve statement between important subjects
national interest, as they existed that day, an
as they now exist have adopted for this purpo,
the tabular form of statement, as being the mo
brief and the most accurate.