Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-06
THE REMOVAL OF THE NATIONAL
CAPITAL.

Prom time 10 time, members of Congress from
the West have submitted resolutions in Con-
gress looking TO a removal of the seat of Gov
eminent from Washington to that section. Not
long ago, a resolution was introduced BY a
member from Missouri, proposing to remove
the National Capital to ST. Louis, and one of
the representative from that State. writing to
the Common Council of ST. Louis. SAYS:
1--WE cannot carry a measure OF this kind
until after the Southern States are admitted
and the apportionment Of 1870 takes effect
Then, i an confident, we shall be strong
enough to control the matter in the West, and
haye very little doubt that St. Louis will ba the
place fixed upon for the permanent capital"
Should the project ever come up seriously 70
remove the seat of Government. it will be
found, we apprehend, that the rivalry amongst
the different cities of the West 10 secure il Will
prove serious obstacle TO its removal at all
Those familiar with the sharp antagonism of
interests between the different Western cities
will appreciate the unllkelihood that Circln-
natl, Tor instance, would agree that the seat of
Government should go to st. Louis, or that
chicago would consent that il should go TO
either Cincinnati or ST Louis. The star west"
would put in claim for Omaha, there or
theresbouT, the Southwest for Memphis, and so
the rivalry would go on. But with
our shifting boundaries, such a thing a. To-
eating the national Capitol al the geographical
CentIe, or approximately thereto, il quite ont
Of the question. The annexation of 1.-the land,
To the north of u.s. the Canadas. &C. which all
patriotic Americans look To as a thing on the
cards would throw 1t far in that direction: and
the acquisition of Mexico and the territory
down 20 the IsthmUs, would send il ..sIingipr
around the circle" IN the opposite direction
Nor does there seem To be- any good ground for
the theory that the Southern States will favor
the prCpCst removal 10 a point so distant
and Where the climate l. 50 much more severe
than here H. the mIldness of climate. health
iulneee, (as shown by the bills OF mortality
heie'i ana convenience of access. probably no
point al BE- found 30 generally satisfactory TO
sill The States a Washington. On this SUBJECT
tn, New York Herald says:
Il he question arises. what necessity l. tbera
CT VIII th' ~ D. lOI removing the seat of gov
eTnn' Mt ! Railroads and tplegrapLs hay,. an
minated Il ace IL takes but two DAYS to 90
rom ~. Louis 10 Washington, and il will nor
ID long oeiOIe We shall be- able 10 cross the Con
unent from The Atlantic To the Pacific an four
or I've days. Then the Government. vhereyer
lCCaiet-at Washington or IN the valley OF the
Aississlppi-wiil b. Ia INST int commune Ition
Win every part Of the republic by means of the
Ma enejIC telegraph. Besides, the. States ON IN.
Atlantic side OF the Alleghanies will ALWAYS n.
pCpulCus and of great importance. New York
n and must continue To be- the commercial aud
financial metropolis. and At, with the he
mighty cities shifting the Atlantic are inter
'sied IN having the capital near them the
tIade. ideas and civilization OF Europe pass
through us. and II L. of some importance 10 the
GONtfhntbt ~ D. IN convenient contact with
tbr rest OF the civilized " OTld. Looking at the
matter IN every point OF view, then. We. see no
niece seity Ter the removal OF the seat of govern
u''nt To the valley OF the Mississippi bur rather
an lnCCnN enIence or injury by It's comparative
ieoiahon IN That SECTION II was placed where
A. Il 18th view partly TO keep Congress and
the administration away from the influences
and eNcIts ments OF great or turbulent popula-
ucn' snd II tins idea b. abandoned IN our pro-
gTeSs toward Capitalization and arbitrary ruIe
LET New York, the metropolis of the country
D. also the . al OF government. But We think
ne western COnZr' sSInen had better let the
capital alone, and COnfine themselves 10 prr
serving the Constitution, and TO giving u a
good sHd cheap Government