Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-09-05
VIM. D. McMASTER, Editor & Pro'r.
from our regular correspondents.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., Aug. 81, 9

washington, -. u, aug. 81, 3d.
Our neighboring city of Baltimore is
getting ready for another "Oriole,"
and the streets of Washington are COW
cred with advertising posters and pic
lures, which local paper APPLY says
constitute the best part of the show.
Baltimore is a pretty good town and
generally does things up according to
Hoyle, but there are several thousand
people in Washington who won't be
fooled second time in this Oriole
business. Last year the whole city
turned out and endured the discomforts
of jam on the trains going and COM
ing and the crush of the crowds in the
streets, and on returning Ehome none
could tell what they went for, as no.
body remembered having seen any
thing beyond the crowd. All these
will be satisfied to stay at home and
look at the handsome posters on the
walls this year. The purpose is to
make the Oriole festival to Baltimore
what the Mardi-Gras is to New Or
leans, but it is not likely to have the
same interest to outsiders. Still it is a
pleasant thing for Baltimore and her
public spirited citizens can well afford
to keep it up for home amusement.
The pick-pocket and swindling frater-
nifty always reap harvest on such
occasions and they are reported to be
making plans for it already. These
gentry are not as plentiful in Washing-
ton now as they were under the old
police regime, and robberies and con-
fidence games are remarkably few of
late.
Generally speaking Il cemetery is
not a cheerful place to spend holiday,
yet there are circumstances which lead
people thither sometimes in moments of
leisure. spent an idle hour the other
day in visiting, for the first time, the
Congressional Cemetery here. This
is not, as many people suppose, Gov
eminent institution, although;the Gov
eminent has purchased a considerable
portion of it as a last resting place for
those who fall in its service here in
Washington. The cemetery is the
property of Christ Church (EpiscopaD
and is one of the Oldest in the city +.
The Government lots stretch along the
principal avenues, and their adorn-
ments, wretched-looking though they
may be, are the most prominent feat
ures ofthe place. Among those whose
remains lie here are two Vice. Presi.
dents of the United States-George
Clinton and Elbridge Gerry. Over
the grave of the latter is good sized
marble monument, erected by order of
Congress, and bearing this sentence
from one of his speeches cit is the
duty of every citizen, though he may
have but one day to live, to devote
that day to the service of his country. "
Over the dust of Vice President Gin
ton is a monument erected by his chill
dren, bearing these words: "To the
memory of George Clinton. He was
born in the state of New York on the
18th of July, 1889, and died at the
city of Washington on the goth of
April, 1911, in the seventy-third year
OF his age. He was soldier and
statesman of the Revolution, Eminent
IN council. distinguished in war, he
filled with unexampled usefulness,
purity and ability, among many other
high offices, those of Governor of his
native state and Vice-President of the
United States. While he lived his vir-
tue, wisdom, and honor were the
pride, the ornament, and security of
his country, and when he died he left
an lllustrious example a well-spent life,
worthy of all imitation"
One of the handsomest monuments
IN the cemetery is that erected to the
memory of William Writ, Attorney
General from 1917 to 1929. He rests
almost within sight of his historic
birthplace, Bladensburg. Near this
monument lie the remains of Jonathan
Cilley, member of Congress from
Maine, who fell on the Bladensbure
dueling ground by the hand of the fiery
Graves, of Kentucky. No one now
knows exactly how many Congressman
are buried in this consecrated ground.
In earlier years, when there were few
railroads and the members came by
stage or in their own conveyances, few
who died here were returned to their
homes for interment. Later on, how
ever, the custom changed, and since
1864 none have been taken here for
permanent interment. The receiving
vault Of the cemetery has contained the
clay of many distinguished persons who
were finally inferred at other places,
among the number being Presidents
Taylor and Harrison. The remains of
one Senator lay in the vault unclaimed
Tor years, and were finally removed by
the officials of the cemetery and buried
at their Owp coot III. e-,t r..-.-