The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
From our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D. c., June IS, 1888.
Washington in its environs furnish
es many features of great interest to
the daily throng of visitors that per-
ambulate our streets in search OF
sights rich, rare and racy. The old
city of Georgetown, which has recent
ly reused from its fifty years OF Rip
Van Wrinkle slumber, was founded
and incorporated in the year 1883.
Prior to 1900 it had an active coast
wise and foreign commerce. After
the latter year this borough took the
name of West Washington, but the
old name still fingers as legacy OF
it's founders. the two Georges. Beall
and Gordon. 1t is the head of navI-
CATION on the Potomac and port of
entry. The place itself has preserved
much of the old-time manners and
customs, although recently the num-
bering of the streets has thrown its
inhabitants into closer relations with
the capital than formerly existed,
Oak Hill cemetry, containing thirty
acres, is romantic spot, ten acres of
which was the gift of w. w. Corco-
ran. Here in the beautiful city of
the dead sleep many whose names
are historic. Chief Justice Chase,
Secretary Stanton, General Towson.
of the war of 1872; Generals Reno
and Plummer, of the war of the
Union Commander Morris, hero of
the Algerian war; Lorenzo Dow, the
strange evangelist; John Howard
Payne, and hosts of others sleep here
the sleep that knows no waking. The
Van Ness mausoleum, in pattern like
the Temple of Vesta at Rome; the
Corcoran mausoleum, and the Linthi-
cum memorial chapel are each SUBJ
jects of interest to visitors. On the
high grounds in Georgetown stands
the oldest Catholic college in Ameri-
ca. 1t was founded in 1889, and is
under the care of Fathers OF the So
ciety of Jesus. The old building
made ofimported bricks is still stand
ing. In the Potomac river opposite
Georgetown is Mason's Island con-
tanning seventy acres, with an old
neglected mansion which, in the
years agone, was resort of the gay
and fashionable, who filled its spa
cious halls and roamed through en-
chanted bowers perfumed with
choicest fragrance, the guests of its
proprietor, General John Mason,
commissary general of prisoners of
the war of 1912. In this once charm
ing spot was born James M. Mason,
confederate commissioner to Europe
in the war of the rebellion.
In the distance the visitor standing
on the heights at Georgetown can see
Arlington Mansion, which was the
home of the adobted son of George
Washington for many years after
1902, and in later years, till 1861, of
Gen. Robert E. Lee. Here on its
stately piazza the great soldier, with
his eyes on the capital of his country
and familiar with its historic achieve.
ments, wrestled with the question of
duty, turned his back on the govern
ment that educated him and cast in
his fortunes with those who sought
to destroy the union. This old man
sion for more than half a century was
famed for its heightened hospitality.
Its military proprietor having sworn
allegiance to the lost cause, this mag
nlticent estate of 1000 acres, covered
in large part with splendid old oaks,
was abandoned to most wanton reck-
lessness. 1t became the camping
ground of thousands of soldiers who
despised the treachery of its senseless
owner, Its noble forests became fuel
for camp fires and extemporized
homes for our boys in blue. The
lands were sold under the contiscation
act, and it became the burial place of
10000 heroic dead from many a bat
tie field in the old Dominion and
from hospitals about the capital.
The silent dust of this great company
of the nations dead lies undisturbed
here in grounds that are kept in per-
feet order. and daily throng of yisi-
tors here see evidences showing the
awful sacrifices made by a heroic peo-
pie to leave this country for our chill.
dren as heritage of freedom. On
the arch over the entrance to the GEM
etery is inscribed !: "Here rest Ii. 595
OF the 315,558 citizens who died in
defence of our country from 1861 to
1865" The flag under which they
fought floats daily in sight of the
capitol, and here
'on Fames eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread;
While glory guards the sacred mound.
The bivouac of the dead"
The famous Cabin John bridge is