Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-23
Yotal ann 9srsonal.

session Of the last Congress, the pupils of the
public schools, of both sexes, neatly dressed, with
banners proudly elevated, and with music playing,
marched to the eastern front of the Capitol, to
present a memorial signed by thousands of our
citizens, asking the National Legislature to afford
aid TO the free system under which those future
men and women were at that. time in the course
of education.
On that gratifying and heart-warming occasion,
we remember that much interest for the scholars
was manifested by members of Congress and
other prominent gentlemen, and that both Mr..
Chandler, of the House Of Representatives, and
Mr. Hunter, of the Senate, who received the
mammoth memorial, rendered their services in
furtherance Of its object, and were, as ii was 10
be expected, true 10 their promise
The paper was duly presented, and referred to
the appropriate committee; but there il was not
only suffered to Sleep but 10 die, like many other
propositions, from neglect, and Congress expired
without action in the premises.
However, there was bill reported, giving lands
to the several States and Territories for railroad
and educational purposes, and in this the District
of Columbia was included but--the bill did mot
become law.
On reading the able report OF The Commissioner
of the General Land Office, Mr.. John Wilson, we
were pleased to see that he adverted 10 recon-
mendation heretofore made of a grant Of land for
educational purposes in this district. This gentle
man is fully acquainted with this important sub
ject, having long been identified with the Of
education and the interests generally of this city
His opinions are therefore entitled TO no ordinary
weight.
Here he says, aunder the fostering care of
the government, model schools could be founded,
for mparting instruction in literature, mechanics,
and agriculture and civil institutions established,
on the plan Of the military and naval academies,
in which improvements in every branch Of the
arts could be tested and brought successfully into
use and where, in fact, youths from all parts of
the country could be prepared to act as instruc-
tors in these useful and important branches, and
thus disseminate throughout the land the benefits
of scientific education. The citizens of the Dis
trict look to Congress for that assistance in these
particulars, which others receive from the legisa-
lures of the States; and the means of dissent
mating science and useful information, thus estab-
lished here, would advance the best interests Of
uating the blessings of civil and religious liberty"
We presume that what is known as our system
Of common achools would be sharer in the grant
that may be made.
Schoohouses are much needed, nearly all Of
the buildings now occupied for educational pur-
poses being highly Objectionable in every respect.
Besides, the accommodations not sufficient for
all the children who ask to be educated. At pre-
sent there are about twenty-five hundred scholars
in the public schools. With so much public land,
and considering that the District has never re-
vance Of public education, we, local citizen,
respectfully appeal to Congress to give TO this inn
portant subject due consideration.
Veterans Of lSl2.--A meeting of citizens
who served in the late war with Great Britain was
held last night at the City Hall.
Colonel ]. s. Williams presided assisted by
General McCalla and Captain De la Roche vice
presidents. James Lawrenson acted as secretary
There were upwards of thirty old soldiers pre-
sent, presenting spectacle gratifying TO behold
The object Of the meeting was the selection of
delegates to a national convention, to be held in
the city Of Philadelphia on the eighth Of January
next, TO which the different States have been in
vted to send delegates from among those who
were engaged in the war Of 1912.
A large portion of those veterans complain that
they have not been fairly dealt with by Congress.
The act Of 1850 makes, they say, unjust dis
elimination against them, compared with other
soldiers of the war Of 1912, and other wars ofthe
,,f tbax
Great Britain received large bounty in money and
one hundred and sixty acres Of land; the soldiers,
whether regular or volunteer, who served in the
war with Mexico, received similar bounty in land
and all without regard to the length of service.
But many Of the soldiers in the war Of 1912 were
placed on an inferior footing by the law Of 1850
II is against this they protest; and the design of
the national convention, as we understand it, is
that they shall be placed on equal terms with
others who have received greater degree of JUS
tice from the government.
Several animated and patriotic speeches were
delivered, in which the speakers alluded TO the
trying scenes through which they had pissed.
General McCalla said, in the course Of his re-
marks, that Great Britain had but one American
flag in the Tower of London, which was valued
highly as trophy; while we, if we would, could
produce number sufficiently large to line the
rotunda Of the Capitol.
Mr. George McNair begged 10 correct the gen.
tleman.s Major Hobbie had informed him that the
flag had been removed from the tower.
General McCaa further remarked, in this con-
nexion, that the keeper ofthe tower had informed
friend Of his that the flag was valued more high
ly than any other in that depository, as il cost
great deal more to capture it.
The meeting adjourned; the persons in attend
ance signing their names to the proceedings.
The delegates will be appointed at future day.
Locomotives for Pennsylvania.-We have
heretofore spoken of locomotives and tenders
having been forwarded from The mandatory Of
Messrs. Perkins &c Smith, of Alexandria, to
Pennsylvania, for the use of the Central Railroad
Company in that State They We're brought TO
one of our wharves by water, and thence removed,
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