The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-07-09
Proposition to Remove the National
Capital TO st. Louis.
A Generous Suggestion from Chicago.
From the Chicago Tribune, July 9Th.

From the Chicago Tribune, July 9Th.
1t is time that the public mind, at
least OF the Western, Southwestern and
Pacific States, we're definitely turned TO
the question of the future location OF
our National Capital as one demanding,
not merely discussion, but speedy ac-
ton. When the National Capital was
located at Washington, Louisiana, in
clnding its underlined trans. Mississippi
territory, had not been purchased from
France. The Union consisted of a mar
row belt of States running along
the Atlantic from Maine TO Georgia.
Philadelphia was very nearly the CEN
ter of territory and population. Wash
ington, therefore, was as near as need
be to the centres of both population
and area, and seemed likely to beco me
nearer as area and population increased.
Our center of population has since
moved westward TO very near the city
area is, by q singular coincidence OF
names, at an unbutlty city of Colum-
bus, on the line of the Union Pacific
railway, one hundred and twenty miles
west of Omaha. Our center OF popula-
ton will approach our center of area
quite rapidly for some years yet, but
will never yeach it, and pObably will
never go farther to the west or south
than st. Louis. However great may
be the growth of the country west of
the Missouri, It can never sustain so
dense population as that to the east
of it. The arguments founded on ce1s-
trGIity Of area and population which Gect
| q former generation to locate the capital
at Washington, nOW PTeUGH IN favor Of
ST. Louis.
The various sections OF the great Mis-
sissippi Valley may either throw aside
sectional rivalry and petty jealOusies,
and, with true, far-reaching sagacity,
unite upon the most fit location, and
secure the change, or they may waste
result by cOntending among themselves
for the prize. II it is desirable, as we
believe, that the capital shall not again
be mere village dependent on gov
ernment pap for the daily bread OF all
| its residents, from President down to
porter and fiddler, the choice lies be-
tween four cities-Clncinnati, Chicago,
Memphis and st. Louis. 1t is an OBJ
lection to Cincinnati that the centre of
population has already reached or
passed it, and, like Washington, it
will be less central with each succeed
| ing year. Moreover, neither the site Of
the city itself. or that of its suburbs, Is
| worthy OF selection for national capt
tai. The broken hills around Cincin-
natl are romantic and beautiful for
| isolated country residences, but ILL
adapted to the laying out of magnifi-
C6uL anu luc eIcCGIOu Vi
government edifices which shall be mas
terpieceS of national architectures.-
| Chicago rests content with her posi-.
| tion as the commercial metropolis OF
the central basin drained by the lakes,
the Mississippi and it's tributaries. Her
commercial and business interests
would be Injured by coming under the
exclusive legislation of Congress, Gas
would be required by the Constitution
il the seat of government were brought
| here) in Il degree that not even the ac-
cession of the capital, if she could OBJ
tain it, would outweigh. Chicago pre-
fers the wisdom of her local SolOns, her
Mayor and Common Council, and her
rights of municipal self.government to
the kind of legislation which would be
done for her by honorable members
| from Florida, Rhode Island, Alaska
| and Texas.
The severity OF our winters and
springs for persons, many of whom will
be residents OF the sunny South, and
the monOtony Of our location, which Is
the only mOnotonous thing we have,
are reasons why Chicago may freely
abandon any claim she might be ex-
pected to make to selection for the Ma
tional Capital. Memphis is too South
ern IN geographical positions and too
rabid in its political sentiments of So
cessionism and medieval Democracy to
admit of the thought of her competi-
tlon. Each Of these objections becomes
an argument IN favor of 81. Louis. She
is, and t0iI ata0ayS remain q great
comm eTcinE city, and it addition anil ere
tong become q leading WtanM|nCtMT-
ing center. Official sOjourners and vis-
itors there would not be regarded rs the
mere prey of the resident population,
as they always must be in a small
town. Society would be toned and its
highest standard maintained by the
11rr 1S iF,fI finI lola
of men and women not connected with
the government nor dependent on the
shifting wind of public favor for their
daily bread. The location is central as
TO area and population, unsurpassed in
beauty OF scenery or attractions Of cLt-
mate. and. finally, the Immediate site for
The location Of the public edyfceS Afforded
by the commanding plateau around the
pleasant city Of 81. LO7Gis, VOttld be
equal so that at Washington, aud u's-
surpassed at any other pOl'tC IN the c0MIt-
try. Instead OF the Potomac, the capi-
tai would overlook the Mississippi, so
appropriately expressive of the broad
er tide. the deeper flow. the longer cur
rent, and the resistless force our ma
tional development has attained since
that early day when the tabernacle OF
the government was set up amidst the
solitudes Of the Potomac.
Last winter, a motion made in Con-
gress by General Logan for the removal
Of the capital to some central point was
tabled by small majority, doubtless
because of the lack OF agreement among
members as to where that point should
be. 1t 4UOuLd be q very great local gain
TO Cincinnati, Chicago and Memphis, as
tUelL as to the entire country 1UeSt Of the
AHeghGnieS, to TenIOUe tie National Cap
itGL TO 81. Louis. Nor will the general
sentiment of the Atlantic States give 1t
any strenuous opposition. Let us all
be content with the obvious advantage
of removing the National Capital to the
Mississippi Valley, and enter upon the
movement with such harmony as will
ensure its success. II the people of
the Mississippi VGIey 1UiH ante on This
point, ii can speedily be accomplished.
/ The expense would be comparatively
trifiing. The site should, OF course, be
given free OF cost by st. Louis. The
present public buildings could be taken
down at Washington, stone by stone,
| laden on government or other vessels,
| brought to ST. Louis and erected again,
precisely as they now stand, at very
moderate outlay. This shou Id be done
| before the number OF public buildings
| is increased, and before the several
States have erected residences for their
representatives, as has been proposed,
at the National Capital.
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.-Durlng the
prevalence OF a severe storm on Friday
| Of last week, the wife of William Steel,
OF Mount Pleasant township, while