Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-26


At the celebration of Washington's birthday
Tuesday last by the Oldest Inhabitants Asso-
citation OF the District the orator OF the occa-
sion was Mr.. VIM. FL. Tenney, OF Georgetown.
In his address he succeeded In dealing with his
hackneyed subject In way to develop with
new point the distinguishing features
going to make up the character of the
worlds great patriot-hero. After sketch
ing with brief but effective touches the
history OF the country TO the present. in
GLIDING the sectional strife against which
Washington recorded his solemn warming Mr..
Tenney proceeded to treat upon the history of
the national city founded by George Washing
ton, and In the same connection with that Of
Georgetown. His remarks upon this suoje It
were so interesting that We quote In full, as f)-
lows:
After the adoption Of the constitution the
District OF Columbia was selected as the seat o.
government, and it Is the only place Wh"re
Congress has exclusive legislation In all Ca. g
whatsoever. excepting forts, magazin's. arse
nails, dock yards, and other needful buildings.
The plan Of the city Of Washington was laid
out on magnificent scale with a wise fOreSig It
or its future greatness; Its broad streets aud
noble avenues differ greatly from the contracted
spaces OF Older cities. Its reservations its
circles, its tItangles made By the intersection
of streets with avenues are lungs through
which free people breathe
WHEN GEORGETOWN WAS A BIGGER CITY THAN
WASHINGTON.
washington up to the war with Great Bril-
tain was largely dependent on George
town, her elder sister, whence she obtained
all her supplies. Washington bellies did all
tneir shopping there. The Old Union now the
District; It was thronged with members OF
congress and other guests; It's stables were
Tiled with The best horses, for In those PRINT
tive days equeStrlanism was the rule and We
hlcles the exception. The great Kentucky
statesman rode on horseback to Washington.
PT NAV @nU M0q fa}ne ol gh6 aan
who boarded at the Union. Even In my boy
hood remember that not watermelon or
sweet potato, or an oyster, a shad or a her
ring, was landed at Washington, but our har-
Dor was crowded with PUNCHES and oyster boats
from whence Washington was supplied. The
wholesale grocers or Georgetown supplied
nearly all the retail grocers of Washington, but
this has changed and the reverse is the case.
Georgetown has her history. She was created
!IS9-the same year that George Wash
fngton was tnaugurated our first President.
Georgetown had large commerce coaStwise,
and also traded with the " est Indies, Europe
and East Indies. ALI this has ceased except the
coaStwfse trade. which Is now quite extensive
It's principal exports being coal, Hour and grain
GEORGETOWN NOTABLRS
Among its merchants were Elisha Riggs, since
OF New York, now deceased, and George Pea
body, since of London, also deceased, who left
Linthcum, one of her prominent merchants
left his memorial. The Linthicum Institute
Among our citizens was the author of the "Srar
SpangIed Banner" afterwards District AttOr-
ney. Among those born In Georgetown were
Geo. w. Riggs, W. W. COrcoran, now OF Wash
lngton, ana Ro6t. Ould, now OF Richmond, Va
S Mas,nIngIon increased, Georgeto~n remained
stationary Tor thirty years The trade from
washington, which helped TO enrich George
toWD, almost entirely ceased. During these
changes there vas Jealousy between the two
nVpr fho
elder; no uncommon Thing IN these days and
every daughter has not Laban for her father
ITS BEAUTIFUL HEIGHTS AND MORE BEAUTIFUL
WOMEN.
Georgetown has been celebrated for her
beautiful heights and her more beautiful
women. The Count BOdisco, minister from
Russia, took from among her fairest daughters
his bride.
:. EN- the slight hareDen raised its head,
Elastic from her airy tread"
~, There are SIN plenty of fair young maidens
''Would be wooed AID not unsought be
Won"
As time progressed, the Jealousy between the
Two cities Increased, and even the boys enter
tanned IL. Many stone battle mas been fought
at tie Bridge street bridge, and like ano.hes
Lodl, was holly contested with this difference
lnat sometimes ore and scmetime5 the other
was compelled To retreat.
'Iard5 which narrow stream divide.
which else Ike LiLdrtd drops ha1 mingled Into
one"
THE PROTEST OF GEORGETOWN AGAINST TIE
LUNG BRIDGE.
among the principal points of contention
was the construction OF the Long Bridge In
1901. Georgetown protested and held indgna
ton meetings, and continued TO protest TIL
1861. when military necessity required The use
of said bridge. What Is not singular In the mu-
tationS OF time Washington Is now protesting
against the Long Bridge. Nemesis mas In
deed wings but does not always use them. but
then the slower her foot Is, the harder Is her
hand"
HER LITERARY INSTITUTIONS.
Georgetown has always been celebrated for
her literary Institutions. among them the Col
Iege, the Ladies Academy, and Miss Engli5h5
Seminary. In the latter was educated Miss
Jessie Benton. Afterwards the wife OF j. G. Ere
mont, the first republican candidate for the
presidency. But Providence postponed the
and gave us the good and great Abraham Lin
coin, the martyr President and the second
washington. Georgetown still continues her
high literary reputation. The Georgetown Col.
lege still continues, enlarged and improved.
The Ladies Academy foGrisheS more than ever,
and the Collegiate Institute for young ladies'.
conducted by MIss Stephenson, Is credit TO
our City. Excuse these "reminiscences of the
town in Which l was born and have lived for
nearly tw3-thirds OF century. love her as
Swiss lCSeS his native hills
WASHINGTON THEN AND NOW.
My first memories OF washington city are In
the first ward north OF Pennsylvania avenue
and adjoiE1ng Georgetown; OF clay hills and
hoilows, with here and there shanty dis
figuring any landscape; south OF Pennsylvania
avenue an extensive COW pasture: east Of HOl-
mead bury Ing ground the ''slasheS," an under
growth or wood with COW paths In which to
wander; Pennsylvania avenue with row OF
LomOardy pOplarS from the Capitol to the
marsh or center market.
Washington was called the city OF magnih.
cent distances Until about ten years since, it
was scattered city, with its public buildings
Ike exotics In It's midst
TEE NAN WHO MADE WASHINGTON WORTHY ITS
NAME.
There was an Alexander the Great, and there
was another Alexander the presiding genius OF
tie board OF public works. He spread his magic
wand, and 10. all was changed. "The desert
JioSsomed as rose" Her streets and avenues
were Parked, graded and severed under COM
prehensiye system, and Washington became
city worthy Of the name OF George Washing
ton.
But for the untiring efforts OF Alexander II.
Shepherd, Reavis might have found fulcrum
on which 10 rest his lever. and the capital
might have been removed. II that event ever
occurs another Gibbon Will write the decline
and fall OF the United States OF America. All
honor TO Alexander r. Shepherd. The citizens
of the District and the whole nation owe him
debt OF gratitude. Georgetown and Washing
ION are now one city. A rose would not lose