Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-04-22

NaToN," DELIVERED IN CHESTER,
APRIL 5, 1859.
The Capital Of these United States has
population of 100000. The last nix
years has worked almost an entire change
in its character. Formerly, Washington
seemed more to belong to the South,
than to any other part of the country.
To-day, lit may more appropriately be
said to be the National Capital, represent
the national idea of freedom, and having
in it the elements for grand future. Sit
uated on one of the noblest rivers in the
country, easy of access, with climate Of
great mildness, it is perhaps, upon the
whole, as well located for the capital Of
the country as any place that could be Sc
lected. The city itself is laid out upon
plan that when carried out to compile.
| ton, will make it one of the most beauti.
full in the land. The first object of inter
est in Washington is the Capitol. 1t is
well known that within few years, a
very great alteration has been made in it.
to adapt it to the existing wants of the
country, and to its prospective growth
The site of the Capitol is that chosen by
Washington himself, who laid the corner
stone of this great edifice, Sept. 18th
1893. seven years before the seat of gov.
eminent was removed from Philadelphia
In 1914, it was partially burned by the
| British, together with the Presidents
house and other public works. In 1918
it was entirely repaired, and in 1851, the
cornerstone of the extension was laid by
Willard Fillmore, then President of the
United States. Its whole length is 75l
feet, greatest depth 224 feet, and the
ground covered by the buildings, over 81
acres. The extension, which is Of white
marble, consists of two wings, erected
at the north and south ends of the origi-
nal structure, each 152 feet in length, and
23S feet in depth. Over the Rotunda, in
the centre of this huge pile, rises mag
nifcent cast-iron dome, beautiful in all its
proportions, and undoubtedly the finest
spCSllhcA VI IRON COuSITuCllOH IN the
world. This is crowned with bronzed
statue of Liberty, II feeti high. From
the basement floor to the top of the stat
lie is 300 feet. The Senate Chamber is
rectangular, 112 feet long, by 80 feet
wide, and 30 feet high.
The Hall is surrounded by a gallery
capable of seating 1000 persons. The
galleries are reached by magnificent mar
BILE staircase, upon which are beautiful
paintings. immediately in rear of the
chair occupied by the presiding officer of
the Senate, is the Senators retiring room.
and on the west side is the Presidents
room, which he occupies when attending
to business in Congress. The Hall of
Representatives is in the centre of the
south wing, situated precisely as the Sem
ate Chamber, but larger and more gaudily
painted, and ornamented 1t is 139 feet
long, 93 feet wide, and 80 feet high, with /
a gallery running all around, affording
seats for 1900 persons Reporters for the ,
Government have desks Immediately IN
front of the Speakers chair. The Rot,rn-
da is 96 feet in diameter, surrounded by
fluted pilasters, 80 feet in height. sup
porting an entablature and cornice of Ia
feet In the Rotunda are noble paintings
II by Is feet, illustrating scenes of
American history, each painting costing
the government from $4,000 to $4,000. +
can only mention briefly the subjects of
these paintings, which l wrcte down while +
the noble proportion of tn is .
magnificent dome Of modern workman
ship.
l. In Ia orde= Of time we have the
andiag in 1902, of Columbus, and faith
ally portrayed the spanish costume, and
he rude Indians beholding with amaze
nent, the new adventurers from the old
world
2. Tho discovery of the Mississippi
iver. Here We see portrayed the early
ttefnpts of the French to settle in the
reat Mississippi Valley.
J. Embarcation of the Pilgrims from
Delft Haven, in Holland, July 81, 1921.
Here is the costume of those men laccn.
ately painted who first came over in ~.
LAY flower.
4. The baptism of Pochahontas, ia. he
ole Indian maiden, that saved ,b,. life of
,apt. Smith.
D. Declaration of Inder endgnce. with
'enJamin Franklin in the foreground.
nd the illustrious aen of our country
rho fixed their mar ,es to this most inn
y a., ooc'ien In the Patent office
"a" the orig nal document in parchment
'oin "h.on nave been struck off the in
u : copies that have been scattered
II over the land
Che surrender of Gen. Burgoyne-
4 of the most important events in the
Sar with England, and which had an in
innate relation to the success of the Amer
lean cause.
Z. Surrender of Lord CORVALLIS, which
was the finishing blow to the efforts of
Great Britain to retain in subsection the
colonies.
o. Sei.- w 'oii LIS coh-
mission to Congress.
These eight historical paintings convey
upon the canvas no small idea of the in
fancy of our country, its early struggles,
with the browning act of Washington re-
turning to the people who entrusted him
with almost absolute power, the insignia
of his high commission. Thousands gaze
every year upon these great paintings I'M
der dome of unequalled beauty, with
constantly reminding them,
that here is the capital of one of the great
nations of the earth progressing with un-
exampled rapidity in the race of power,
wealth and knowledge.
To the late Senator Foot, more than any
other person, is the country indebted for
this noble edifce-the nations capitol,