The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-20
HE wings OF the Capitol having been sui.

! 10 thiS District gu The 18th OF November
1900; or Us Mr.. Wolcott expressed il. LET,
the comforts Of Philadelphia ",c 40 10 the
Indian place with the long name. in the
woods on the Potomac" will no, pause
10 describe the appearance, at that day. Of
the place where the city was TO bc. Co,em,
porary accounts represent it rs desoatc in
the extreme. with It's long. unopened avenues
and streets, its deep motasses. mud its vast
ARIA covered with tres instead OF houses
II is enough TO say that Washington pro
jected the whole plan upon scale OF cen,u
ries, aud that time enough rmsins to I'LL III,
measure OF his great conception.
The Senate continued 10 occupy the north
wing, aud the House Of Representatives til,
south wing OF the Capitol until the 9th
Of August, lsli. when the british army
entered the city and burned the public
buildings. This occurred daring the recess
and the presiden, Immediately convened the
| Congress. Both Houses met IN trick
building known as Bloslgctis Hotel. which
occupied part OF the square now covered
hy the General Post Olco. But the nc.
commodationS in that house being quite in
sufficient, II number of public sr tied ciii-
/ Gems erected more cnmmodous building,
on Capitol Hill. and rendered il to Con
gress the offer was accepted and both
Houses continued 10 occupy II until the
wings oi the new capitol were completed.
This building yet stands on the street OPP
! poaitc 10 the northeastern corner Of the Cup
itol square, and has since been occasionally
occupied by persons employed in ditleren,
branches Of public service.
Tn the 9th Of December | 40 the Senate
assembled for the iirs, time In this chamber
which has been the theatre Of their dclber-
atoms for more than th,rty.nine years, and
now the striics and uncertainties ot The past
IRE finished. we see around us on every side
the proofs Of stability aud improvement !;
this capitol h worthy OF the Republic no.
bic public bu ldipgs meet the view on every
hand; Treasures oi science and the arts ho.
gin to accumulate Az this il0uris'iine city
enarges, IL tesliiios 10 the wisdom and fore,
cast that dictated the plan Of it. Future
generations will not be disturbed with qnea
tious concerning the centre Of population, or
OF territory. since the steamboat, the rail.
road. and The telegraph have made cominu.
ncuilon almost instantaneous. Tho spot IL
sacred by IA thousand memories, which are
Al many pledges that the city OF Washing
ton, founded by him and bearing his reyered
name, with i,s beautiful site. bounded by
picturesque ,mlnences, aud the broad I'oto
mac. aud lying within vicw OF his home and
his tomb. shall remain forever the political
capital OF the United States
II would be- interesting TO note the grind
uai changes which have occurred IN the
practical working OF the government since
the adoption of the constitution and IL
may be appropriate 10 this occasion to re.
mark one of the most striking OF them.
AT the origin Of the government the
Senate seemed 10 be Regarded! chiefly az MI
executive counc,l The President often
visited the Chamber and conferred person.
ally with Il Ia body ; most oi It's business
was transacted with closed doors, and II
took comparatively little part IN the legrIs
tive debates The rising and vigorous IN
t,llecG Of the country sought the arena Of
the House Of Representatives M the appfo.
pirate theatre Tor the display Of their
powers. Mr.. Madison observed. on some
occasion, that being young man. aud de-
slilog 10 increase bia reputation, be could
not effofJ Ia enter the senate AID II will
in remembered. that, III late "a 1912, the
great debates which preceded the war and
aroused tbs country 10 the assertion 81 It's
rights tuuk place IN the oiher branch oi
Congress. 10 such an extent was the i,lca
oi secluaon carried, that when this Cham
br was completed no sa's were prepared
for the accommodation Of the public aud
it WAS not until many years afterwards
hat the Hm-cifcular gallery w1s erected
which adults the peopIe 10 be witnesses Of
your proceedings.
But bow the Senate, beside its peculiar
relations to the executive department Of lho
government, assumes It's tnll rharr Of da,y
M coeqnal branch Of tbs legislature IN.
deed. from tue limited number Of lis mcm-
bers, ard for other obvious fensons. Tie
mort important questions, especially of
foreign policy, are apt 10 pass frat under
discussion IN this body, and 10 be u member
II i, Ia justly regarded ma 90" of the high. |
cat hdnws which can be- conferred on Nh |
American statesman.
II IL scarcely necessary 10 point out The |
causes Of this change, or 10 say that IL Is u |
concession both 10 the importance and the |
individuality Of ,he States. md Ia tbs free
and oIsn character u the government.
IL tho course 81 he speech, the Vice
Prcsidcn, male The following eloquent nllu-
sion 10 three Of oar gralesi departed states
men
The Senate ia assembled Tor the last time |
IN this chamber. IIcncefrth 1t will b. |
c0oycrt'd 10 other usea yet IL must remain
forever connected With great events. and
sacred 10 the memories of the departed ora.
tors AID Statesmen who have engaged in
high debates, and shaped tbc policy Of their
country. Hereafter the American and the
stranger. as they wander through the cspi.
iol, will turn with instructive reverence 10
view the SPOT on which 10 many and great
materials have accumulated for bist0ry.
They will recall the images u Tbs great md
tie good. whose renown !. The common pro.
p.rty u the Union and chiefly. perhaps,