National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-05
REMOVLNG THE OAPITAL

For the lack of more exciting and
profitable topic, the capital-movers of the
Mississippi valley are about to convene at
Louisville to take this important subject
into consideration. The Chicagoans for
nearly twenty years have been threatening
to remove the commercial metropolis of the
country from the Atlantic seaboard to the
head of Lake Michigan, but they have not
yet quite succeeded, for it has resulted that
every effort of their own to add to the COM
mercial importance of Chicago has neces-
sarily contributed also to the increase of
New York. And they have found that
while they have been able to demonstrate
the feasibility, or rather the possibility, of
making importatiOns direct into Chicago
via the St. Lawrence and the Lakes, that
it is still more economical and expeditions,
all things considered, to enter them at New
York. In regard TO removing the location
of the political capital of these United States
there will probably be found similar diff
Guilty. If all those parties who now favor
its removal could only be satisfied that its
future site would be fixed at their favorite
chosen spot, doubtless Congress would vote
to change the location at the approaching
session. The assent to removal might not
be difficult to obtain, but the determination
of the spot which in future should have the
honor of becoming the capital of the coun-
try we imagine would be difficult in the
extreme.
Accordingly, we would suggest to the
Governors of those States who are select
ing delegates to this embryo convention to
instruct their delegates that they give their
attention first to the selection of site for
the capital when removed. If they can
agree upon this important point, and secure
the cession of the required area of territory
and the two hundred millions of funds ne
cessary for the erection of suitable build
ings, one very important condition prece-
dent to the removal will have been at
tanned. But who believes that any five
States can be found to agree upon the same
site? Or who believes that any State can
be found willing to donate the three hun
bred millions in money that it would cost
to remove the capital, and furnish it with
such conveniences and facilities for the
transaction of the nations business as
are now enjoyed by the Govern
ment here5 A very little calm re-
Election will suffice to determine the ques-
ton in the minds of all wise and prudent
men. Enthusiasts may dream Of removing
the capital, and spectators may scheme in
favor of it, but in these days, when time
and space are annihilated by railways and
telegraphs, so that one point is almost as
central as another, thoughtful men will
scout the idea as chimerical
Speaking on this subject the New York
Commercial Advertiser INDUCES in some
practical remarks. 1t says eff the capital
sis once removed from Washington, it will
''have to be put upon wheels and carried
"about from one point to another as caprice
''shall dictate. There is no good argument
''for removal which will hold for a moment
against the expense and trouble it will
''cause. Steam and the telegraph have
made Washington more central to-day
than it was when the thirteen colonies
fixed upon it as the capital Of the Govern
"ment. Then it was a wilderness. Now,
''it is enriched by historical associations,
"dignified by noble buildings and has be-
come the most beautiful city in America.
ITO those who are not pecuniarily inter-
"ested in the proposed job of removing the
capital it would seem like sacrilege to
abandon the spot around which so many
sacred memories cluster. As well change
1.-THE names of the thirteen States that gave
'the nation independence as to remove the
capital from the city that bears the name
s.nf the Father of his Cnnnfrv-"