Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-02-12

CANT, ignorant Piutes, too frequently
placed in charge of the dependent trav-
cling public as we were with the Dig
gers at Harrisburgh.' When will our
legislators learn to hold to q rigid OBJ
servance Of the commonest civilities OF |
life, such men as ] have mentioned, |
whom the travelling public pays, as its |
servants, and not as its lords? But
did not set out to read a homily on
good breeding, but as l got no chance
at the sharks at the time, l felt like at
least recording my opinion here.
Harrisburgh has more than doubled
her population in fifteen years, and Is
now city of 40 600 inhabitants, and
during the last few years her wealth
has greatly increased. One of the most
magnificent structures we have ever
seen is on beautiful slope overlook
ing the city from the north, was COM
menced as private residence Oh col
losal scale of splendor, was prosecuted
almost to completion, when the owner
became bankrupt, and died. The
structure is of brown granite, three
stories high, surmounted with dunes
and towers, and is altogether a grand
monument of the mans folly. The
property has passed into the hands of
the Catholics at something like $780,
600, we were told, and is now used for
school purposes.
AS we waited and watched we took
a run to the capitol buildings, situated
west of the city, and nearly opposite
the insane asylum-a very appropriate
accompaniment to our halls of legisla-
ton sometimes.
The public buildings are the tamest
commonplace structures conceivable.
The capitol proper is of brick, two stO-
ries high, with eastern and western
fronts. Four old-fashioned round col
umns stand at each entrance, on the
edge of a narrow ve-tit,uln. Once in
side, the buildings begin 10 exhibit ev-
licences of considers BILE elegance. /
think the hall of the House and Senate
chamber exceed in their splendid ap-
pointments the Congressional rooms at
Washington. Each room had huge
wood fire in full blaze. The splendid
State Library is on the second floor, and
is one of the most extensive and we'll
ordered in the nation. This depart
ment is under cOnsummate manage
ment, and altogether is not only very
attractive, but indeed great curiosity
la very museum of rare authors, and
things of matchless historic interest.
We had time only to glance and run,
in fear of being left; but we did see
many of the rorest old curiosities in the
/ nation. The original Declaration OF
Independence and original Coustitu-
1 ton of the u. s., and also of Pennsyl-
vania, all In manuscript on parchment.
Among other relics an original parch-
ment manuscript called "An act OF
union for unnexing ye counties of New
Castle, Jones', Whore-Kills, AIS
Deal to ye province of Penn, to be as
\ a proper territory thereunto belonging.
Dec. Z, 1882" ss -
A fine silk badge presented to Lafay
cite on the occasion of his visit to this
country, bearing the inscription be-
meath the National coat of arms, 'Our
nations guest --h
Another parchment is endorsed, 'The
Duke of York's Release of the State of
! Pa. to VIM. Penn, 81 August, 1852.
Dukes signature-James.' Also, in
manuscripts: Ratification of Federal
ICOnstitution by Pa, Dec. II, 1887.
! With signatures in full. Many other
things too tedious to mention are here
also, but let these suffice as samples.
The capitol is on beautiful emf
nence surrounded by q fine grove, and
], in summer is beautiful. Compared
with our capitol at Columbus, every
thing seems tame, indeed, except the
Library, which have never seen
equalled, unless it be by the State Lii
brary at Nashville, Tenn. The only
rival in the country our State House
has, is the capitol of Tenn. 1t is indeed
a magnificent structure, built of Tenn.
granite or marble, and closely resem-
bles our own in all its arrangements.
Among the things to be seen in the
caritol grounds at Harrisburgh is fine
Corinthian shaft fifty feet high, sur
mounted by Goddess of Liberty. The
capital and entablature are quite elab-
orate. The base is plain solid marble
block, bearing this inscription, "Erect-
ed by the State of Pennsylvania, 1868,
in commemoration of her citizens who
lost their lives during the war with
Mexico, 1867 and 49, On opposite
side is ''CTTY OF MEXICO" The mon
ument is enclosed with rather unique
fence, being composed of old-fashioned
i Iflint-lock musket, with bayonets fixed
/ for palings. The enclosure is square,
and there are 90 muskets to a side
standing on their breech. Near by are
some ten brass cannon of various cali
bre captured from the Mexicaus during
the war. Three tenspounders have the
following inscriptions: -','-g q i''a.'i' q
''Aday Par. Z.
'Barenger 1756.
- n Nee impair,
La Fohdre
| Ultima Ratio Regia." i.sy
Then others bear this motto: 11g
-gs.. 'tsDarte in commisserei 5>asii
Des Forts. Del. Art. I745." "uam
/ 1 don't know what this all means,
but that's what was on tile guns, any
how. u t. 713t 'z~s.5 "'ii''' .
They are huge old relics, and have
some bloody associations, as they were
all captured in battle, and the brave
hearts that beat high on Chepultepet
and Cerro Gordo, when they were
wrested from the enemy, are as cold
as their polished surface, and theil
fame as enduring and bright. T.
BRIDGEPORT LOCALS. H.-'
The Fox Hunt was much enjoyed by
! the participants. Owing, however, &c
Capt. Deans inability 10 get an old
man to scatter on a precipitous hill