Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-22
COMMUNICATIONS.
The State House Question.

The State House Question.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER
 Numerous communications have recently found their way into the public prints rela- tive to the exped1ency of removing the old State House building from the public Green. I am pleased to observe several contributions to the State House literature favorable to the restoration of the old landmark, and recommending that it be utilized for public library. This view of the question seems to meet the appreciation of many of our most influential and thoughtful citizens. good public library should be looked upon as al most indispensable in city representing, as New Haven does, a highly intelligent com munity. Disinterested builders and contrac tors inform the authorities that the building can be repaired and renovated for nominal sum. It provides ample room, retired from the noise and bustle of the city, centrally located, all of which are desirable and requi- site qualities. The old State House is the only truly grand specimen of ancient archi. lecture in Now England outside of Boston. The old 'hulk, " as it has been stgmatized, commands more attention from visitors than all other buildings combined in city. Strangers and tourists exclaim, "How grand!' 1t reminds of ancient Athens and it's architecture" Now would it not be ex tremely unwise to annihilate this grand old structure? As l stood a few days since gag luR at llS ludSSlVo pEoporGlOuS VlSluOr, resident of the State passed by my side, and said, Do they contemplate removing the old State House? ?' l informed the gentleman that the subject was under consideration. He said, "Within those walls I made my first attempt at eXtemporaneous eloquence, and succeeded" 7" 'Indeed" said l. mo doubt many of Connecticut's statesmen could say the same. ''Yes,' said the stranger, ''there is something inspiring about this building. I consider it sacrleGe to destroy it." TLis gentleman cherishes the remembrauces of the old State House, and no doubt thousands of Connecticut people would express similar views. I regret that any citizen of New Ha- ven should lend his voice pen to destroy landmark so beautiful and sublime.
 Those who recommend it's removal would erect 8 memorial fountain. In commemora- tion of what? Why, the civil war, of course. Do we need a memorial fountain or any other emblem to recall the strifes of that deplorable tsgrnage? Nature has cast man tie of verdure over the mounds where sleep our gallant dead. Sweet flowers, miuglinC with waving grain, have sprung spontaneous over the fields where brothers slew brothers Do we desire to erect h monument to recall the strifes of civil when nature has or dained that it should be forgiven and forgot ten ? I think not. We have thousands of living memorials of the war in the shape of widows and orphans and emaciated and crip- pied veterans. If those who respect and re- were the memories of the fallen soldiers would obey their mandates could their spirits make thelr wishes known they would all re- spond, contribute for a public library that our offspring may have access to it's benefits Don't destroy the old State House. at least for another generation w. w. STow
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