The New York herald., 1870-01-17
Tho Prspssieisu % Remove tho scat Of
GOvermmont.

larIy those OF st. Louis, are endeav0ring to get
up an agitation to remove the seat Of govern
ment from Washington to the Mississippi
valley. They appear to be supported in this,
too, by some of the members of Congress from
the West There has been a call for the Gov
ernors Of several States In that section to
assemble together for the purpose of promot-
ing this object, several Of the State Legislatures
of the West have spoken in favor OF 1t, public
meetings have been worked up to agitatc the
question, and some OF the Western members Of
Congress are opposing any further appropria-
tions for public buildings or improvements in
Washington, on the ground that the capital will
be removed, and that to expend anything more
there would be waste Of money. The move
seems to have its focus in st. Louis The peo-
ple or rather the property holders and specu-
lators, of that city are the principal movers in
this local agitation, because they want the capi-
tai to be located there. As far as they are
concerned it is grand speculation or job,
though got up under the pretext of national
interest and tho convenience of che govern
ment and the Western members Of Congress.
The principal argument used for the removal
Of the capital to the Mississippi valley is that
west from that city, is near the geographical
centre OF the republic and will, in the course
of time, be about the centre Of population This
is true, undoubtedly, with regard to the terri
toral centre, and there may be large popula-
tion west of this in the distant future, though
there viii be always, probably, greater
population east of the geographical centre than
west. The vast and fertile valley Of Ne
Ohio and of the States bordering the
lakes, the rich Southern States from the
Atlantic to the Mississippi, and from the Gulf
to the Potomac, the wealth and wonderful
resources of New York and Pennsylvania, the
manufacturing industry and accumulated capi-
tai of New England and the commercial out
let and power of the Atlantic cities, will attract
and develop larger population than the COM
paratively desert prairie region west of
Kansas and the vast mountainous country
beyond to the shores of the Pacific. Though
the area is greater west of the Mississippi, the
population will always be much larger, proba-
bly,, east of that river. While we admit that
the States on the Pacific will have a mighty
future, that vast commercial cities will grow
up there, that San Francisco may become
second Only to New York, and that there will
be an extraordinary development of commerce
between that part of the republic and Asia,
L. ko%,y Aho "a
and civilized Europe will continue to be Of far
more importance. The centre Of business Of
wealth and of intelligence will remain far east
of the geographical centre. That will remain
near the Atlantic border. The argument in
favor Of removing the capital, then, on thc
ground of placing it in central position has
little foundation.
But Il is said Washington is too near the
Atlantic, too easy of approach by an enemy in
time of war, and cannot be so well protected
or defended as the capital could be if it were
in the Mississippi valley. This is mere bug
bear. No nation or combination Of nations
could or are ever likely to attempt war on
the soil Of this mighty republic, where there is
such dense population. Nor would any feet
in this age Of science, steam power, monitors,
iron. clads and all the other formidable
appliances of war that can be promptly pre-
pared and used, venture to 60 up the Potomac.
Washington can be as well defended rs any
city in the world.
AS to the convenience Of members of Con-
gress reaching the capital, what does it mat
ter whether those from the West cross the
Allegheny mountains to come eastward, or
those from the East cross them to 60 west
ward? Then railroads and the telegraph bring
all parts Of the country into convenient commu-
nication. Distance is no longer reckoned by
miles, and space is anniilated, comparatively.
The probability is that in the progress of
science and improvements we shall be able to
travel by and by from one end of the republic
to the other in few days. For all business
and social purposes the telegraph brings every
place and person near to each other.
Admitting that q hundred millions or two
hundred millions for the construction of new
Capitol and other public buildings might not be
of much consequence to thi, rich country, i.
would be shameful waste Of money to
abandon the magnificent and costly structures 8
al Washington and to erect others at another
place when there is no good reason for remov-
ing the capital. Besides, short as our history
is, Washington has a grand historical charac-
ter, name and prestige that should command
our respect, and the honor Of being founded
by the Father Of his Country and the sages OF
our independence. If the capital should ever
be removed, New York, the great commercial
metropolis and centre Of intelligence of the
country, would be the proper place for it but
there is no necessity for its removal. The
agitation for the purpose has been got up by
few Western politicians to tickle their con-
stituents and by some spectators who want
to make money. There is no fear Of the
movement succeeding; but we advise Con-
=