Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-11-12

may-labor as conscientiously, and with but a
regard right and iust-yet feel that cannot,
must rot fiatter myself that shall escape the
busy tongues of SANDER and detracton. "Bldok
rounding caiumRy the tchitest rirtas strikes -
Every man and woman, however exalted his
or her position, or elevated his or her char
acter, is apparently regarded as fitting sub
! jeet OF Islander by portion OF our press,
Plea of publishing Contemplating" papers. To
the consciences of these men it matters little
whom they traducc-friends and foes are treat
ed alike-gratitude and ingratitudc are all the
same to them, 50 they gain a few pennies by
their ibels. or achieve the reputation of center
prising'' concerns. Even General Grant and
tins OF this kind of enterprise thus show
ing that no one is exempt from the felon shaft
Of
Islander:
Whose edge is sharper than the sword whose tongue
out renVnIs all the WORMS of Nile; whose breath
All corners Of the worl: kings queens and states
Maids, matrons, nay the secrets OF the grave,
This ViPerOus Siander enters.
This prostitution of the press 1 can but regard
rs one of the greatest evils OF the time. Only a
few days ago, was conversirg with one of these
men concerning several articles and commlni-
cations he had published in his paper Islander
ing one whom know had been his best friend
in times when friends were sorely needed. Moth
ing had occurred between them TO sever that
friendship, which had existed for years. 1 ex-
pressed my astoni shment at his course, and in
quired his reason for il. He answered, in effect
that he was ambitious of making his paper the
most enterprisng one in the city: that he had
sold large numbers of his editions containing the
articles alluded to, thereby making a consider
al i, sum of money; that ii he had not publishe
them another paper tnaming IT'D would; and
that the effect would be the same
i somewhat indignantly demonstrated again [
such plea, but all in vain. He continued 10
publish articles OF the same character and
would no doubt do 50 forever were the same in
dividuas to write and send them to him. Aud
yet this man protested that he is the warm per-
sonal friend OF him he had traduced through the
columns of his paper-that all he had done was
for his friends benefit. or was intended rs n
harmless joke! What! stab his friend from BE-
hind, and coolly claim that il was done TO benefit
him! Blacken his fair fame, destroy his charac-
ter, and then declare it was in jest!
Now, my friends, what do YOU think of such
AMMAN? a man who will boldly justify himself
in ibelng his friend. for he did not pretend that
his articles were not libellous and here pro-
nOunce them as such! do not know what Your
opinions may be, but am free To confess that
would regard a burglar who entered my house
at midnight and carried OFF the few valuables
We have. as gentleman compared with him
who would deliberately stab his friend-who
would deliberately strike down his reputation
for few dollars, or to appear ''enterprsinc.-
The burglar would be welcome to my money
and goods, but an honest mans reputation Is
sacred-is dearer to him than all the wealth of
this world.
Gentlemen You have this man and his paper
inyour own city, and 1 doubt not many OF Won
are subscribers for and readers OF the paper
Judge We of him and it!
My friends, i have alluded to the periodica
spasms OF spectators in town lots aud bank
rupt politicians to remove the capital by mis-
representing the condition of our city and SLAM
dering our people. These paroNysnIs serve 20
brighten a few old ladies, and now and then to
prevent capitalists from investing their surplus
here. Thus this phantom of removal serves 20
retard the growth or progress of our city Rut
it will never be accomplished: and If onr citizens
are wise, it by a prompt exhibition of a proper
public spirit, in expanding some of their surplus
wealth in improving and making Washington
what everybody thinks it ought To be as the
Capital Of the natiOn-tO pave the streets most
travelled, to render il a more comfortable and
more attractive place for sojourners, more ac-
cesslb!e by railroad-in fact, to make the most
OF the natural advantages We possess, al ayi-
tations of the subject would then cease
When the people of this nation shall for get the
father OF his country. the immortal Washing
ton-that he selected this spot as the enduring
capital of the nation. and christcned it with his
name; when they forget the deeds that have
been performed within These ten miles square;
the sacrifices of the patriotic men who rushed
from every hilltop and valley in the North,
East and West to prevent this capital from fall
ing into traitors hands during the rebellion; the
ashes Of those heroes, which lie entombed on the
hills surrounding. overlooking and hallowing the
city they saved; the murder OF the Sainted Lin
coin; the scenes of by-gone years i'm the Capitol,
where our patriotic statesmen electrified the
world with their eloIuence-when these and
thousand other themes are forgotten. then. and
not till then, will tie people of this highly-fa-
yOred land consent that the dome OF another
capitol shall be reared in some distant portion OF
our country.
Remove the arital! As well might we re-
move the heart from the body, and expect that
body to retain its vitality, as that the nation
would long survive such an act OF vandalism
Constantine, in frenzy OF pride, removed the
capital Of the ancient Roman Empire from
Rome to COnstantfnople, and precipitated the
destruction of that great empire! So, now, re-
move this capital! From that time will date the
decline and downfall of this growing Republic.
II,
equality, and even manhood itself, throughout
the world! Remove il, and cxtingush the sacred
memories of the past, which serve to keep alive
the fires of liberty i'm this and other lands. Law
violent hands on these piles of public building
these imperishable monuments of our munifi-
cence and genius-at once the pride OF orr
cOuntrymen and the admiration of the world.
and the very walls will cry aloud against it,
Open up the graves of the dead resting in the
Congressional Cemetery-the patriot statesmen
the heroes of our army and nayy-the beloved,
the honOred and the respected of the nation
neglect or disturb these sacred remains, and a
thrill of horror will go forth that will be felt i'm
every home and every patriotic heart Of this
wide-extended country.
In this capital have been gathered together
the trophies Of the four great wars in which the
nation has been involved. Here cluster the
corning in the past Hither the people make
their pilgrimage, and here will be, i'm after wears
as II is to-day, the Mecca Of America! Let no
sacreligiOus hand intervene to prevent it!
But, az l said before, the renewal of the cap
ital will never be accomplished. So long a. this
Government endures- long Is the memory of
those who sleep beneath the shadow OF the tow
ering dome Of yOnder Capitol remains-sO long
as the people are endowed with wisdom-long
long, indeed, after those who low clamOr for
removal shall have passed into Oblivion-this
must and will be retained as the seat OF the gen
eral government!
But, gentlemen, have already detained YOU
too long. i do not know whether Ii il your wis.l
to congratulate me on my complete vin.iic alton
from the charge of malfeasance in Office recently
preferred against me, or because YOU desired To
pay me a compliment rs Mayor OF the city, and
one of your felOw-cit Zens. that am indebted
for this most welcome visit and delightful music
III any man has reason to be proud of his friends
and thankful for the warmth and strength of
their devotion, am that fortunate individual.
| The many valued friends who, during the recent
| investigation into my official conduct. vOlun-
tarly rallied around me with their sympathy
and aid, cannot esteem too highly nor thank
too warmly. Their manly sympathy and honest
| aid shall never forget
The presence Of SO many here Tonight to en-
courage me in my course and to assure me of
their confidence and support, is most gratifying
and adds another to the many obligations l am
under to the Republican party. In return,
| can only pledge myself to more active exertions
| in their behalf, and in behalf OF the city over
which. by reason Of their Partially, have the
honor to be the chief executive officer If shall
be fortunate enough to retain and continue "a
merit your appreciation and confidence, as evil
denced here tonight, shall rest satisfied that
| have done my duty-my whole duty.
Gentlemen, again / offer you my heartfelt