Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-04
THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.


As citizens of Washington feeling deep interest in its
prosperity it gives pleasure to find such an article
the suboined in the leading journal Of the party com
ing into power, and by whose favor and Gberaty the
growth and Improvement Of the Metropolis can be so es
sentially promoted
THE UNION.
THE CITr OF WAsHIseToN.-While almost every body
visits the National Capital few outside Of the residents
take much note of the rapdy-developng improve
ments which surround the capital The stranger who
comes to Washington goes to the public buildings
the Congress in session, hears few Debates looks in
upon the East Room shakes the President by the hand
and returns to his home in the States satisfied that he
has every thing that is worth seeing at Washington
How few care to watch the progress of the city itself
And yet that progress is the less gratifying fact
The most careless observer cannot fail to be impressed by
the great improvements effected by private enterprise
aided by liberal Congressional encouragement within
few years The plan originated by WASHINGTON himself
daily dscoses its majestic symmetry and classic proper
TONS Broad avenues opened, streets extended
and made level and far and near elegant residences rise
to attest the increasing wealth and Of the citizens
In nothing the march of the city to its just rank the
National Metropolis made manifest however, than
in the excellence of its hotels For years the nferiorty
of Washington hotels has been complained Of by vsiters
but the spirit Of the age has wisely amended this.
Meanwhile the public buildings have not been overlook
ed by Congress The Patent Office is spreading its beau
ul wings, and shall that structure one Of
the nobest specimens of architecture upon the American
continent The extension of the Capitol is now ra
pidy progressing and in few years 1t will be completed
and present to universal admiration temple worthy Of
the great purposes to which it is dedicated
Private subscriptions aided by the appropriations of
Congress- have almost completed the equestrian statue Of
Jackson and the 9th Of january it will erect
ed the square fronting the north Of the Presidential
mansion with appropriate ceremonies The Washington
Monument is gradually and gracefully rearing its proud
proportions. As we daily gaze upon this testimonial of
popular gratitude to the nations greatest cheftan and
sage, always think of WEBsTERs apostrophe at the
laying of the foundation Of the column at Bunker
Hll-words OF immortal application to the Washington
testimonial in this city
eve that infancy may learn the purpose Of it's
ton from maternal lips and that weary and whered
behold it, and be soaced by the recoections which il ug
We wish that labor may look here be proud in
the midst of its toll We wish that in those days disaster
which, they all nations be expected to come
on us also Responding patriotism may turn its eyes hher-
ward and be assured that the foundations of national
power still stand strong. We wish that this column rising
towards the heavens among the pointed spires Of many
temples dedicated to God contribute also produce
all minds pious feeling of dependence and Of gratitude We
wish, finally that the last object the sight of him who
leaves his native shore and the first gladden. his who
visits it, may be something which shall remind him the
liberty and the glory Of his country Let aris m meet the
an his coming let the earliest light Of the morning gid H.
and parting day iirger and play upon ts summit"
The impetus given to the city Of Washington by the
passage of the compromise cannot well be es
mated by those distant from the spot where great
Of peace contaminated and while it was in pro-
gress Here, at the heart Of the nation, the danger
rounded institutions earliest seen and appre
ciated When that deed of tranquility was perfected
this great metropolis started into new lie enterprise
seemed to be stirred to ventures and citizens from
all parts of the country in and made Washington
their homes Business openly attribute the present
unexamped progress Of this city to the healthfu nu
enccs Of those measures.
The plan Of Washington contempates of the first
capitals on the globe Like the mind that conceived it,
II grand comprehensive and noble 1t is the duty Of
the Government for every reason to that the ber
atty Of the nation keeps pace with that idea Of the Savior
Of his Country. Much has been done, but much more
remains be done The first and most pressing improve
ment is to introduce copous supply of pure water.
The health Of the people, the safety of the public and
private buildings and public archives and every other
only less important consideration plead that this should
be of the earliest of the Legislature of the peo
pie. The metropolis has become object of patriotic
pride to all who have remained here during single Con-
gresswho have its abundant capacities, and have
observed its rapid march in population and in
We do not travel out Of the record in giving
up portion Of columns to subject in which all
citizens should feel an interest