Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-26

4lf any vne Do Wunthg. W PiVPoi 10
spect for the grandeur Of our corporate
body, let such irreverentinl wight, be taken
forthwith into the new chamber Of the
City Fathers, and learn from the regal
splendor that meets his gaze, to bow with
we, before these august dignitaries. We
enjoyed the rare felicity of beholding it a
few days since, through the courtesy of
the Recorder, who himself adds grace, by
the elegance Of his person and manners,
to the costly decoration of the apartment.
On being ushered in, we we're overcome
with the dazzling splendor that burst upon
our astonished gaze. In ornament and
arrangement, it vies with the magnificent
Halls of our Representatives, in the Cap
itol of our State. A carpet of more than
Brussels richness, decked the floor
Chairs of costly material, stood here and
there, whose wide bottoms, eloquently
suggested the breadth Of Aldermanic pro-
portions One of still more exquisite
workmanship than the rest, was shown us,
as the throne of his sublime highness,
the Mayor. Elegant tables, with drawers,
for pens, ink and paper for each member
of the grand Council, were arranged in
imposing order. A large and highly bur-
nished stove, seemed well adapted to warm
the chamber to that cory temperature, so
congenial to the aristocratic habits of these
high notables The walls were adorned
with the most beautiful paper patterns,
charming the eyes with exquisite figures,
and rich variety of coloring. We under
stand it is the intention Of the present
Board, to hang thereon, the portrait of
each member; an example designed also
for future Boards to follow. How delight
full, to future generations, to gaze upon
the likenesses of the great men of the
earlier and purer days of their city, elo-
quently telling with their massive brow,
how "there were giants in those days !"
Standing thus, amidst these grand sur
rnundings, we felt deeply impressed with
the sublimity of the place, where issued
those laws that governed the city, and
those great measures that were to develop
it into proportions, that shall shame even
London's vastness. The seats were void
of their august occupants, but the eye of
fancy reflled them to our musing thought,
and as the little mallet, on the Mayors
chair, tapped percmptorily, to announce
the rising Of the member from Ward No
-, we seem to listen by turns to solid
argument or sparkling fancy, to sledge-
hammer facts, or soaring imaginings to
practical suggestions, or daring concep-
tons, all fused into one mass of burnin
eloquence. AS the vision fed, we sighed
to think how lost to the world, such more
than Demosthenean splendor of oratory,
by reason of the almost Dru;dical Irtvacy
of the Councils sittings. Why will not
the Recorder, instead of dry abstract of
their transactions, and the measures adopt
ed, present us with the brilliant discuss
ions, elected thereby. We at last reluct-
antly withdrew from this splendid seat of
public greatness, and felt in our added
sense of the dignity of corporate eleva-
ton, new aspirations awakened within US.
Yes, we confess, the hope was then born
within us, of rising ourselves some future
day, to this pinnacle of human glory.
All men of correct taste, must rejoice
to see in this, improvement of the places,
designed for the transaction of public af-
fairs, the gradual dissir alton of that mig
gardly democratic economy that would
set apart the merest novels, as the seats of
public Councils. We hail with JOY this
indication of change in public sentiment,
and trust ere long, our people, will rise to
the refinement, of the Athenian Democra-
cy, who erected the most costly temples of
Art for public purposes and thus refuted
favorite dogma ofroyalty, that republican
ism is incompatible with elegance and
taste.
WE had the pleasure of being present
A. e..k aolo % to6oaoo - L.