Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-30
For the Nashville Patriot.
Court House and city Hail.


The late FIRE, disastrous in some particulars, may
be the cause Of a much needed, long desired and
talked Of public improvement, that Of a new Court
house The old building used for that purpose on
the Square, was in its time, edfce of some con-
siderable pretensions, both to size and arehiiec-
tura taste This halIowed old structure, hdito'0sd
in the thoughts and experiences Of many an old
sinner, now worthy filing his allotted space in
still more imposing edifce about a mile south west
of our city, has been most unjustly abused and
denounced by such epithets cold barn, "sable,"
&c. for its unsightliness and want of good proper
lions. whereas will venture to say that there is
not even now, Court House in the United States,
(which has not been built tcitia the last ten years,)
that could compare with it, either as to size or
good proportions But my object is not particularly
a defense Of the Ill Court House, but to present
suggestions Avoring the erection Of new fire
oroof building to be used both as Court House
aud City Hall. It is believed that by the union
or Joining together Of the funds Of the city and
county, building might be erected which would
be a source of pride to all future Nashville gene
ratons and an ornament to our city, creditable to
our taste and lberality; building which would be
an object Of especial attention and regard from all
strangers; one which any travelled gentleman might
regard with pleasure aud profit; on which the eye
might rest with pleasure even after surveying the
unequalled beauties of our State Capitol would
here ask why it is that we can't build fine public
edifces here as well as elsewhere? Why do we
have to travel to Europe for all such pure enjoy
ments as that Of the contemplation of a chaste and
harmonious architectural design? l believe that
we have here in our very midst, both the talent
for the conception Of such design, and the means
wherewilh it might be carried out; but meets its
chief obstacle in another quarter; what il most
ueeued 10 a Bttle more morality, public spirit and
good taste the part Of of the authoritative
few WHO, it is hoped, may be induced by the public
voice, to display little liberality Of soul The
opinion has been expressed by good many citizens
who have taken an interest in the matter, that the
new building, if it must be built on the Square,
should be placed in the centre Of it; that dis
gracefully shabby and ugly looking old Market
House should be torn down, and that the whole
Square, with the exception Of a wide street all
around IT, should be rallied and laid of in a tasty
manner a grass plot or public garden, for it can
not be called park from its small size. Such
disposition Of the ground, honestly believe, would
meet almost the unanimous appreciation Of large
majority Of our most intelligent citizens at any rate
That such building should be fire proof is a point
which ought not to be discussed FIVE minutes for it
is evidently the first consideration. 1t seems al
most act of insanity for a man or set of men to
an edifce to contain all the most valuable re-
cords and other papers of a great State, which
might be burned down and utterly destroyed at any
moment; papers too which could neyer be replaced
has been the case by tho burning Of our late
Court House. That building can be made per-
t,ctly FIRE proof, and at a comparatively small cost
has been abuudantly proven Of late years in all Ct
our eastern cities Harper & Brothers immense
printing establishment in New York, is splendid
specimen Of perfect fire proof building and why
can it not be initiated here? 1t is to be hoped that
public opinion may be further aroused on this in
teresting subject and that may be fully discussed
and the best plan adopted. CITIZEN.