Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-05-08
OUR NATIONAL C4PITAL.

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anticipate or foresee the extraordina-
ny westward growth and development
oil our Union, when fixing the perma-
nent seat of government on the Poto-
mac. Measuring our territory from
east to west, the National Capital is
on the eastern edge of the Republic.
Two causes decided the close contest
IN favor OF the present site: the per-
sonal wishes and influence of Presi-
dent Washington and the mixing of
this question with the question Of the
assumption Of the State debts. Three
or four votes were needed to carry the
latter measure, and they were prom
| ised by Virginia members, on condi-
ton that an equal number of North
ern members would vote for their site
for seat of government. The capt.
tai was fixed by Congress in 1890, and
will remain fixed so long as the Re
public stands. This common sense
American people will not turn over
to the rats and bats public buildings
costing eighty million dollars. They
will not abandon a capital laid out by
Washington, around which all our
most hallowed historical associations
| cluster, and with which are connect
ed the nations most sacred tradi-
tions. Besides, the idea that a nations
capital must be at the centre of a ma
TONS territory, is mere fanciful no
tion. As matter of fact, the CAPT
tai of no country in the world is sit
uated at the geographical center, the
center of wealth, the center of
population, or any other CEN
ter. With us, it is only matter,
of few hours travel, and involves
no Inconvenience or consequences
more serious.
The selection of the site on the Po-
tomac was in mostrespects extreme
| ly fortunate. In this as i'll all things
Washington showed his proverbial
good judgment. In three important
particulars our National Capital sur
passes all the capitals of Europe--in
natural beauty of site or location, in
| government buildings land in climate.
1t is better laid out under more-ad-
mir able plan than any capital with
which we are acquainted.
With streets averaging more than
| twice the width of those of New York
or Philadelphia, Washington has new
er suffered and can never suffer from
the ravages of great fire, like those
of Chicago or Boston. 1t can never
be affected as other cities by the
spread of epidemics. With its pure
Potomac water and its perfect system
of sewerage, Washington is one of
the healthiest cities on the continent.
With more than two hundred miles
of new pavement, it is perhaps the
best paved the city in the world
Rows of shade trees extending to an
equal distance, will make cooler city
not now so warm as New Y ork by an
average of ten degrees in summer
Washington has improved more dur
ing the past five years than during
any former thirty years of its history.
1t is in fact becoming literary and
art centre as well as political and
social centre. Literary men have the
advantages of the Congressional IL
brary, the largest in this country ,ac-
cess to the Government archives and
to the original sources of information
on public questions, and the opportu-
mites of social intercourse with the
historical men of the times.
But the conclusion we are about to
draw is this: Washington City is as
much the capital of those who livein
the remOtest State of the Union as
those who live in the District of Co
lumbia. eand they have the same
reason to take pride in its growth in
wealth, attractions and beauty as its
inhabitants have, because it is our
capital as well as theirs We have
contributed our share towards the
construction of its magnificent pub
lie buildings, and should be willingto
do what is necessary to make it wor-
thy 50 great Republic and so rich
and enterprising nation. With all
the numbering and plundering of its
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