The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-22
From Gss Warrington Union Of Saturday.
The CITY OF XVashinxton.

While almost everybody visits the national CAPT
tai, few outside Of the residents ever take much
note of the rapidly developing Improvements
which surround the capital. The stranger who
comes to Washington goes to the public build
ings, sees the Congress in session, hears a few de
bates, looks in upon the East Room, shakes the
President by the hand, and returns to his home in
the States, satisfied that he has seen every thing
that ia worth seeing at Washington. How few
care TO watch the progress of the city itself And
yet that progress ia the less gratifying fact
The most careless observer cannot fail to be i'm
pressed by the great improvements effected by
private enterprise. aided by liberal Congressional
encouragement, within II few years. The plan
originated by Washington himself daily discloses
lie majestic symmetry and classic proportions
Broad avenues are opened. new strcets extended
aud made level, and far and near elegant resi-
deuces rise sttest the increasing wealth and
taste of the citizens. In nothing 10 the march Of
the city to it's just rank the national metropolis
made more manifest, however, than in the excel
lenee OF its hotels. For years the inferiority Of
Washington hotels has been complained Of by
visitors; but the spirit Of the age has wisely
amended this.
Meanwhile, the public buildings have not been
overlooked by Congress. The Patent Office is
spreading its beautiful wings, and we shai soon
in that structure one of the nobest specimens
Of architecture upon the American continent. The
extension of the Capitol is even now rapidly pro.
crossing, and in few years it will be completed,
and present to univer cal admiration a temple
worthy OF the great purposes to which it 10 dedi-
Gated
Private subscriptions, aided by the appropria-
tons Of Congress. have almost completed the
equestrian statue Of jackson; and on the st. Of
January next it will be erected on the square front
ing the north of the Presidential Mansion, with
appropriate ceremonies. The Washington Mon.
ument is gradually and gracefully rearing its
proud proportions. AS we daily gaze up"n this
test ,monial of popular gratitude to the nations
| greatest chieitain and sage, we always think OF
W, bster's apos.rophe at the laying of the founda-
ton Of the vast column at Bunker Hlll-words Of
immortal application to the Washington testimo-
uial in this city:
owe wish that infancy may Learn the purpose
of its erection from maternal lips, and that weary
and ~iihcrcd age may behold it, and be solaced
by the re ullectiuns which it suggests. We wish
! that labor may Look up here and be proud In the
midst of it's toll We " sh that in those days OF
disaster. which, as they come on all nations. must
be expected to come on Us also, despondlng pa
| triotsm may turn its eyes hitherward and be- "a.
sured tina, the foundations OF our national power
still stand strong. We wish that this column
rising towards the heavens among the pointed
| spires Of go many temples dedicated to God, may
cont ibute also TO produce in all minds a pous
feeling of dependence and of gratitude. We wish,
finally that the last ject the sight of him who
| leaves his native shore, and the frat to gladden.
| his who revisits it, may be something which shal
| remind him of the liberty and the glory of his
country: Let it rise till it meet the his
ing; let the earliest light Of the morning gid ii, ana
parting day finger and play upon its summit
The impetus given to the city of Washington by
| the passage Of the Compromise measures cannot
well be estimated by those distant from the spot
| where that great act Of peace was contaminated
| and while it was in progress. Here, at the heart o.
| the nation, the danger was felt keenest and first
Here the peril that surrounded our institutions val
earliest seen and appreciated. When that deed o
| tranquility was perfected, this great metropolis
started into life, enterprise seemed TO be Stir
red to new ventures, and ciuzens from oil parts o.
| the country came in and made Washington thcil
homes. Business men openly attribute the presen
unexampled progress of this city to the health:a
| influences Of those measures.
The plan of Washington contemplates one OF thu
first capitals the globe. Like the mind that con
ceved it, it is grand, comprehensive, and noble
1t is the duty OF the Government for every reason
to see that the lberality Of the nation keeps pace
| with that Of the Saviour of his Country. Much
has been done, but much more remains TO be done
The first and moet pressing improvement is TO in
troduce copious supply of pure water. The heai.l
of the people, the safety of the public and private
buildings, and the public archives and every othe
only lcss important consideration, plead that thi
should be one Of the earlieat Of the Leg sla
| ture Of the people. The metropolis has become al
object of patriotic pride to all who have remained
hero during single Congress; who have seen it
abundant capacities, and have observed its rnpit
| ma rch in population and in resources " do 10
travel out of the record we sure in giving up
| portion of our columns TO a subject in which al
| our citizens should feel an interest.