The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-07-01

ison thought if the proceeding OF that dav haC
been toreseen by Virginia, that State might not
have become party to the Constitution. The
question was allowed by every member to BE-
matter of great Importance. Mr.. Scott salc
the future tranquility sand well being Of the
United States depended as much on this as any
question that ever had, or could, come before
Congress and Mf. Fisher \ mes remarked that
every principle Of pride and honor and even oil
patriotism were ENGAGED. For a time, any a.
greement appeared to be impossible but the
good genius Of our system finally prevailed, and
on the 28lh OF June, 1890, an act was passed
containing the folio aing clau3e
ssThat a district oflerrtory on the river Po-
lomac, at some place between the mouths Of the
eastern branch and the Connococh agup, be, and
the same is hereby accepted, for the permanent
seat Of the Government Of the United States"
The same act provided that Congress should
hold its sessions at Philadelphia until the first
Monday in November, 1900, when the Gov
ernment should remove 10 the district selected
on the Potomac. Thus was settled a question
which had produced much sectional feeling be-
tween the States. But all difficulties were not
Yet Surmountrd for Congress, either from in
difference or the want Of money, failed 20 make
adequate appropriations for the erection ofpub-
lie buildings, and the commissioners We're Of
teh reduced 10 great straits to maintain the
progress OF the work. Finding it impossible to
borrow money in Europe, or to obtain il from
Congress. Washington, in December, 1896,
made personal appeal to the Legislature Of
Maryland, which was responded to by an ad-
vance OF 500, 900 but in 50 deplorabIe a con-
dition was the credit OF the Federal Govern
ment that the State required guarantee Of
payment, the pledge OF the private credit Of the
commissioners.
From the beginning Washington had advo-
Gated the present seat Of Government. lis es-
iabishment here was due, 10 a large measure,
to his influence it was bis wisdom and pru-
denCe that computed disputes and settled con-
Alcting titles and it was chiefly through hls
personal influence that the funds were provi-
ded tjprepare the buildings for the reception
o! the President and Congress.
The wings of the Capitol having been sufii
cipntly prepared, the Government removed to
this District on the III. Of November, 1900
or as Mr.. Wolcott expressed it, left the COM
forts of Philadelphia .sto 60 to the Endian pfax4
@ith ihp long namh, IN the woods on the Poto@
mac" | will not pause TO describe the appear
ance, at that day, of the place where the city
was TO be. Contemporary accounts represent
it as deSOiate IN the extreme, with ITS long, un
opened avenues and streets, its deep mOraSSrs,
and its vast area covered with trees instead OF
houses. 1t is enough 10 say that Washington
projected the whole plan upon scale OF CEN
tuIlrS, and that time enough remains to fill the
measure OF his great conception.
The Senate continued TO occupy the north
wing, and the House of Representatives the
south wing OF the Capitol, until the 9th Of
August, lSl +, when the British army entered
The city and burned the public buildings. This
occurred during the recess, and the President
Immediately convened the Congress. Both
Houses met IN a brick building known as BIod-
gets Hotel. which occupied part OF the square
now covered by the General Post Office. But
the accommodations in that house being quite
Insufficient a number of public-Spirted citizens
erected more commodious building, on CapI-
tol Hill, and rendered it 20 Congress the oneS
was accepted, and both Houses continued 10 oc-
cupy it until the wings of the new Capitol
were completed. This building YET stands on
the street opposite TO the northeastern corner Of
The Capitol Square, and has since been occa-
sionallv occupied by persons employed in differ
ent branches of the public service.
On the 9th Of December, 1919, the Senate
assembled TOR the first time in this Chamber,
which has been the theater of their deiibcration
for more than thiriy-nine years.
And now the strife and uncertainties OF the
past are finished. We see around us on every
side ;he proofs OF stability and Improvement. This
Capitol is worthy Of the Republic. Noble
public buildings meet the view on every hand.
Treasures ofsclence and the arts brgin TO
flourish. As this hourisaing city enIarges,
it teStiiPs 10 the wisdom and forecast that
dictated the plan Of it. Future generations
will not BE- disturbed with questions concerning
the center of population, or territory, since the
steamboat, the railroad, and the telegraph have
/ made communication almost instantaneous -
The spot is sacred bv thousand memories,
which are so many pledges that the city oi
Washington, founded by him and bearing his
revered name, with its beautiful site, bounded
bv picturesque eminences, and the broad Poto-
mac, and living within view OF his home and
his tomb, shall remain forever the political
capital of the United States.
II would be interesting TO note the gradual
changes which have occurred in the practical
working of the Government, since tho adoption
I of the Constitution and i: may be appropriate
I 10 this occasion to remark one of the most
striking of them.
AT The origin of the Government, the Senate
seemed TO be regarded chiefly as an executive
council. The President often visited the
Chamber and conferred personally with this
body most of its business was transacted with
closed doors, and it took comparatively little
part in the legislative debates. The rising anc
vigol Gus inteIetts of the country sought the
arena Of The House oi Representatives as tht
appropriate theater for the display of ther
: powers Mr. Madison observed, on sons
occasion, that being young man, and desiring