National Republican., 1877-07-11
THE FUTURE OF WAsHrSeToM.

Notwithstanding the stringency of the
times the usual exodus Of Americans to
Europe is taking place this year. This abb
scnteeism is one of the chief causes Of the
hard times about which 70 much complaint
is now made, for II is estimated that Ameri-
can travellers and residents in Europe will
spend there this year not less than $780,
OOO. 900.
1t will he useless for the American press
to protest against this eStrovagnnt and un-
patriotic waste of our national resources,
for ns long as Europe presents social and in
tellcctual attractions 81 far superior to any
which can he enjoyed in America, our cti-
zcns will resort to the European capitals for
the culture and pleasures which they cannot
find at home. II would, therefore, he cNpe-
dicnt for this nation. upon sound principles
of political economy. to promptly adopt
such measures us would make tn, city of
Washington IN attractive place of residence
and resort for wealthy and cultivated Amer
leans. Such policy would save the country
many millions annually, for few would care
to resort to foreign countries for the social
and intellectual pleasures which they could
enjoy nj less expense in tho Capital of their
native land.
The recent Improvements which have
been made in this city show what II Is
capable Of becoming il equal attention were
promptly given to such measures rs would
render it attractive to the cultivated and
refined people of the United States who
have the leisure and inclination to devote
themselves to intellectual pursuits, or the
wealth to become patrons of literature and
the fine arts. The first step in this direc-
tiOn would he to secure from the National
Government an endowment for great
national university Already all the States
have received liberal donations of land to
endow agricultural colleges, and justice and
sound policy demand that the system should
be completed by the endowment Of o ma
tiona university here in accordance with
the viewsexpressed by nearly all the found
crs of the republic.
The National University, in connection
with the Congressional Library, the Smith
sonian Institute, the Observatory and nu-
merous other similar aids for culture here,
would soon attract to Washington as n
place of residence all the eminent authors
aud scientists of the nation and we would
soon have here the learned associations and
literary clubs which render the capitals of
Europe such delightful resorts for men of
letters
lI' lltS iu'l uiNNuSoth hS
TO why the fine arts have not tiOurished
better in America. and particularly as to
why no great and original school of painting
has not grown up in a country which, like
this, is characterized by 30 much intcllec-
tual activity. We venture TO express the
opinion that we will never achieve anything
in art worthy of our national greatness until
this Capital becomes u recognized centre Of
taste, and the Government nm intelligent
and discriminating patron of art. Until this
takes place our art must remain narrow and
provincial in its scope, and cannot attain
that perfection which it has reached in Eu-
rope, chiefly through the liberal and culti-
waited patronage of her great capitals.
So, also, music and the drama flourish no
where 80 well rs in the capitals, in which
are drawn together all the men of the ma
ton, possessing the greatest intellectual
vigor and force. The influence OF such a
cultivated and refined population is marvel
ously potent in calling forth the highest
efforts of genius in all departments of intel
lectual effort. The truth is that the de
velopment of intellectual life in. America
will wait on the progress of the Nationa
Capital in culture and refinement. All GU
efforts in literature and art will be more o
less narrow and provincial until Washing
ton becomes the recognized literary capita
| of the nation