Evening star., 1866-07-05
tanned all the powers necessary to deal with
eyen3as gigantic rebellion as this.


eyen3as gigantic . rebellion as this.
Among the wise provisions Of the Constitu-
lon was one looking to permanent seat of
SoveFnment, over which the Representatives. OF
the people should exercise exclusive. but not
aroitrary, control. 1t was deemed wise to
make the seat OF Government permanent, and
time had shown the wisdom Of the precaution
The selection Of the site for the permanent seat
OF Government was made by Washington
himself, who was thoroughly familiar with
the topography of the country. and was aware
OF the requisites Tor such site. No site had
Deen 1ound 10 compare with that selection.
In beauty of situation Washington cannot be
surpassed. In salubrity of climate its bulls of
mortality for the last sixty years will show il
bays: its surrounding hills; the diversity of Its
solli The vast variety of its geological struc-
ture; the variety, too, Of its native trees and
plants; the abundance and exceeding purity Of
Its springs; its surface broken by unduls Ii =
Mills and precipitous sleeps, inviting SC1i,
shady, sheltered, and protected rides and
drives. abounding IN positions of picturesque
beauty its access 70 the ocean by tho broad
and deep waters OF the majestic Potomac
flowing through country of surprising
beauty: its inland communication by water
with the, vast coal fields of the Allegba-
nies and the fertile valleys of the
mountains through which the great tributaries
of the Potomac flow; its ready and convenient
access TO and communication by railroad with
every part of the immense domain of the ma
ton, and the facility with which the vast
trade and countless wealth of the West and
North West, and the great inland seas, from
Lake Erie to Lake WI repeg, an be brought
through channels, he GJI-st of which are
marked out by nature, az thus reach the
Atlantic. weeks earlier in the s,Jring and later
IN me autumn than by any other route, are so
many proofs of the taste and judgement and
WISDOM OF him 10 whose foresight the history
OF the country has to this day borne witness
1 he site OF this city Is Just beginning TO de-
relop 10 the masses of the people how admir-
ably ii is adapted 10 be the seat of (iovern-
ment OF great and powerful Government.
10 those OF us who have wItnesse its growth,
VINO can remember the stumps of the forest
trees in our high ways: the cornfields which
were cultivated where large blocks OF build
lngs now stan": the marshes now filled up and
GRAINED weighed down with the piles of ware
houses; the streams in which we 6shed noU
blotted ont, and their places supplied by broad
paved streets. the or chards from which in bow
lsh miscnlet we plucked the forbidden fruit:
me 10 grounds in which we shot snipe and
woodcock, far inland, and now part of the
wf.i-bujlt third terrace of the rising grounds
OF the city; the progression and gradual change
OF the Gly from plantation to village. and
IRON. village to metropolitan city: il is like
the realization of the tales OF the Arabian
Nights which we read in years gone by
The original scheme of the city, covering an
extent OF territory nearly four miles long in
one direction and upwards of three in another.
and the manner in which it was divided be-
tween the Government and the original
owners of the ground, while it seemed eouit-
able, has operated as a dead weight on the en-
terprise of the inhabitants. 1t threw the whole
burthen of the improvements of the streets
grading, paving, lighting, and draining upon
the lnolVidual owner, having but half the
ground, while the Government, owning the
other half except where there were public
reservations, was free from any contribution
10 such expenses and their property was daily
enhanced in value by those improvements II
followed that villages sprang I'D here ana there
convenient TO the public buildings, and along
The highways leading to them, while all the
rest OF the city was loaded with the taxation
OF property wholly unproductive to the owner
Enterprise was deadened, and settlement de-
ferred until they were forced with the growth
OF tne natlon, and now we begin TO understand
and appreciate the superiority OF the plan on
which the city was laid out. Doubtless MANY
OF the Older citizens have seen plans of the
CITY, as we yet hope to see ii realized, i'm which
the acute blocks formed by the intersect,ons
OF avenues with streets, and with each
other, presenting unsightly and unimproyed
open spaces, were represented as filled with
trees ana shrubs of great variety: with statues
and fountains beautiful TO the eve of taste re-
iIesnlng 10 the weary, giving life and health
10 all. 1hey We're designed TO be, and are be-
coming the lungs OF the city-with cool and
refreshing shades inviting to repose, absorb
Ing the air impregnated with the poisons of a
busy population, and yielding sweet odors
and inyigeratIng temperature TO relieve the
reflected heat OF the pavements For MANY
years we have looked with expectation for
the time when these things should be. And
now, even In our day, we begin TO see their
coming The grand aaueduct which brincs
the waters OF the great river by works which
nave won the admiration OF the world for the
scienee ana skill with which portions Of them
nave been projected and executed. has opened
the way, and the neat enclosing and taste
fnl planting of some of the spaces. already
begin TO exhibit what they may become in
use and beauty. No fountains vet throw
up their refreshing showers; no statues vet
grace and relieve the enameled green of
the enclosure, yet public spirit and private
interests combine and will lead to their in.
PRODUCTION into them. The reservation near.
ly sixth OF a re in width, extending west
of the Capitol 10 the Potomac, and then north
so as TO embrace the grounds south of the
Presldents House, having within its bounda-
ries hill and dale, which improved by q fine
and cultivated taste, may become the pride of
the metropolis, while it gives health and yigor
10 lis INHABITANTS has so far been but little dis
figured by the unitarian, and is obstructe only
by the unsightly armury. The Smithsonian
Institute adds 10 its attractions and beauty the
picturesque effects Of medieval architecture.
while 1t stands fitting memorial of the benef1-
cent founder who. springing from the aristoc-
racy OF our fatherland gave the Republican
offspring the fruits OF his science, Skill and
labor.
And alone, unique in Its design and propor-
uons. due west from the Capitol, and due
south trom the Presidents House, stands the
unfinished Monument TO him who was .sfirst
In war. first In peace, and first in the hearts of
his countrymen-" whose name EN- bla zonpd in
the pages of his history is the beacon light for
the struggling nations of the earth on their on.
ward march 10 freedom. IT Is q reproach, not
only 10 the people OF the United States, but es-
peeially TO the citizens OF the city bearing his
immortal name-a city now containing more
IA an sixty thousand white inhabitants-that |
ii has remained untouched for years, not
yet reaching eDe-t third of its destined |
height, not even protected against the !
assaults OF the weather, o desolate and almost |
deserted shaft If they were animated by a |
spark OF that gratitude with which their hearts |
should be filled, they alone, by q contribution
OF half a dollar for each white person, could |
raise as much money as could prefitably be /
spent in each year IN the completion Of the /
shaft ana at the close OF the century from the |
Declaration of lndependencs-ten years from |
TO UT would be Completed. The daily con. /
tribufions OF pilgrims, who would be attracted l
by the act of building, would nearly pay the 1
daily expenses OF the work, exclusive of the /
cost Of labor and materials, and the energetic /
action OF our people would Stimulate others to L
contribute 10 the completion Of the plan. Can /
we not do Ns Will no one a;temptit! Shall /
the sun 60 down this day without an effort at /
organization which shall ensure the active 4
pros csecution Of the work The public build L
ings are on scale I'm magnitude, and in their /
architectural proportions fit fer the future. 1
ana are not surpassed BY those OF any living
nation The great artery Of the canal is al,
ready bringing TO us the mineral wealth Of the L
Allee hanies, and opening a way to the ocean |
fer the exhaustless products of the fertile val.
lies branching OF from the great valley Of the /
Potomac .EGAEAk&
Our squares and public spaces, marked out \
QR Rh,u 0f0r1 shpxxy ne uria L