Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-17
SPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS.

The Inteiilgenssr republishes from the Phil
adelphia North Americans Washington cor
rsspondence an able and interesting argu-
msnt upon the water works question, which
entities the writer to the gratitude Of all who
desire to see this city come to be what it
should be, IS the capital of so great country
as the United States. The writer says:
"The point which has excited most discus
sion and feeling in the House upon the consid-
GRAFTON Of the deficiency bill is that making
an appropriation for the introduction of water
into this city-an enterprise which was com
menced under the authority Of Congress two
years ago, and upon which more than third
of million Of dollars has already been eX
pended. Exception is taken to the continual
tion Of the work upon the ground that the
District Of Columbia should supply itself and
incur the necessary cost. This objection seems
to be without sufficient weight, considering all
the circumstances Of the case. The machine
Of government was placed here by Congress
in order that it might be removed from the
influences and interests Of large commercial
city. Whatever W ashington is, it has become
necessarily from the public patronage and ex-
penditures and the frugality of its population.
1t has little trade or facilities for the ordinary
enterprises in which other communities en-
gage. Its growth has been the result of the
expansion Of the country, and in this respect,
even within my own limited recollection of
fifteen years, it furnishes n gratifying retro
spect and glorious promise for the future.
In this short period of time the city has
advanced to q considerable capital, beautifed
by art, smbellished with modern improve
ments, and giving token that it is destined, at
no distant day, to fulfil the grand design upon
which 1t was originally planned. 1t contains
the Presidents house and the public build
ings, and it is the depository of the public ar
chives. The Chief Magistrate, the Cabinet,
and thousand or more Federal officers reside
here. The Ministers Of foreign Governments
reside here, as much from necessity as from
choice. cultivated permanent society, to-
gethsr with the annual meetings of Congress,
offers attractions which collect men of mind
and refinement from the most distant parts OF
the Union. 1t is the common centre where
extremes meet, where enlightened opinions
are compared, where political differences are
buried, and where larger and better feeling.
than little sectional chickering's are cherished,
through the softening amenities of social con-
tact. More than this, it is our National
Capital, and should perpetuate in its SUBJ
stance, as In It's name. a becoming tribute to
that illustrious man whose triumphs of peace
even overshadowed his great glories Of war.
1t was the pride of the ancient republics to
make their capitals living memorials of their
u
all the humaniZing influences Of civilization
Rome yet stands, though surrounded by the
relics Of her former grandeur, and Athens
lives IN the worlds history and in our memo
riss-
aside from the sanitary consideration
which should address itself to Congress as one
not to be disregarded, from the moral obIiga-
ton to protect the health of thUse who have
been invited, or whose duty calls them here
Int e.
and comfort will be provided, there is the ad-
ditlonal one Of protection to the public prop
erty, which, with all the safeguards against
IRE, is still exposed to constant danger The
Departments Of State, Of War, and of the
Navy are miserable old buildings liable TO
eontsgratiOn at any moment The Presidents
house lies between them, and is in NO better
condition, not being fre-proof. Their des-
truction might involve a loss to the Govern
ment Of tens CT millions more than the con.
templated cost of the projected aqueduct, aud
the destruction Of records which no money
could replace. The economy which hesitates
At this proper expenditure might be attended
with those costly consequences which usually
follow the penny wise and pound foolish poll
ey. Besides, 1t is unworthy of Government
ike ours to be chafeTing about the price Of
introducing one Of the first necessities of life
into the metropolis, where every ordinary Sc
curlty against pestilence and every assurance
Of health ought to be furnished by Congress.
cit Is too much the habit of those who
know little OF the intelligence and virtue and
refined hospitality Of Washington to decry it
upon every opportunity, and to SANDER its So
oiety with perversiOn and Misrepresentation.
oome nttie experience enables me to say that,
In the high qualities which give character TO
any community, it will compare we'll with the
pest In this country or in Europe, and the evil
dsnces OF advancement are such as to inspire
sentiments Of pride and admiration with all
who would feel honorable ambition in point
Ing 70 the Federal capital as being worthy Of
the teif-made greatness Of this young but
imgn'y hepubhc: Congress cannot be too
liberal in identifying and providing for all
the pubic wants, since every such investment
inevitably forms part Of the national prop
erty and character IsDEPEspRyT
The Union show. that the Republicans ad-
NIT and justify revolution in Kansas.
HE OPERALAsr NIGHr.-' Mariana" was
given last night in fine style, and liberal an