The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-08-27

Is devised and talked about for divertlng the
commerce ofeho No1IAwest from Chicago 10 I
that ancient FrcnsA town. A little smoke
and coocussion are the sole results. While
that city Is holding pablc meetings, and IT'D
journals are sAcaaHf Of what Is 10 be done.
Chicaso cseltal and genius quietly pushes
forward railway ensesprises that drain tho
coustry. that would ustsrally pay tribute u
St. Louis, pitting substantial results against
idle talk. But the mountain which has
brought forth SO many mice already, now
proposes to cap the climax Of Its folly.
II would be an enormous expense 10 re-
move the capital; tlO0, OOO, 900 would mot
foot the entire bill, In all likelihood. Ia our
nation In state 70 Incur that additional ex-
pense, and for whati What better would II
be to have tho capital situated at tho con-
aueuce Of the Mississippi and the Missouri
than to have II In the District Of Columbal
There are several serious objections to
Washington, all Of which, with one single
Louis. The broiling heat Of summer Is
quite as uncomfortable aud more dangerous
in 50. Louis. The prevalence Of an cpl
demic, cholera or yellow fever, Is no very
unusual thing 10 that city. This, OF iiself,
Is an insupefable objection. The town Is
low and uncleanly. Il Is more central than
Washington, and this Ia Its sole adyan tage.
But II a change Is to be made for the pur-
pose Of securing central position there are
several other points far moro desirable.
Some years ago Nauvoo was suggested as
the site Of the future capital on this ground,
aud Il would be far preferable every way
than St. Louis. Omaha is really nearer the
centre Of the nation than either. For con.
venlence OF access from the various parts of
the land, the real object Of selecting cen
tral position, Chicago leads the van and al
ways will. Such Is tho railway system OF
the continent that Chicago Is, and must con-
tinue to be, the most readily reached point
on the continent for all sections.
This proposition could be demonstrated
without difficulty, but Its correctness Is too
obvious TO require more than bare state
mcnt. 1t Is free, too, from the climatic OBJ
jections OF st. Louis. It's only draw back, In
q sanitary point Of view, Ia the Ath Uf Chicago
river, but as soon as the drainage scheme,
now being carried out, has been perfected,
this objection will cease 10 exist. With pure
water and fresh air, Chicago will have no
rival In sanitary point OF view. Already
our mortuary record compares favorably
with that Of any other city In America. We
might adduce other reasons, showing that
Chicago would have permanent advantages
over st. Louis, or any other competitor In the
capital race, but the subject Is too remote
from the practical to deserve extended con-
slderation.
1t was, perhaps, we'll enough for Governor
Palmer to appoint delegates to the 81. Louis
convention, and so long as the State Is to be
represented at all we are glad II Is to be by
such men rs General Logan, Governor
Oglesby, and Colonel Ingersoll, for they will
be able to discuss the subject worthily. Gen.
eral Logan has given special attention to the
matter, we presume, for he once introduced
n measure In Congress looking to the re-
moval of the capital TO more central place.
He will, doubtless, point out the improperly
of selecting st. Louis with unanswerable
clearness. With the trio named In attend
ance to guard the interests Of Illinois aud
the nation, the 81. Louis bubble will surely
hp broEen