Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-14

Shore Railroad, Etc.
Special Correspondence OF THE EVENING STAR,
NEwBuRGH, July IS.
The Hudson in poetry. and picture in legends,
and lays by sunlight and moonlight, is pic
turesque ana charming, but when one can
llnger on Its beautiful banks, sail on its placid
waters, then its beauty. grandeur, legends and
historic incidents appeal most strongly to the
making ''The Rhine of America"
a point Of loneliness and interest to whichAmeri-
cans Justly refer with pride. Tappanzee, the
Bay of Beauty! is the widest point of the Hud-
son, and has the appearance of beautiful lake,
among grand hills, wrapped in softest hose
land and water scape Of rare
beauty, creating inspiration in painting, poetry
and song even in hearts not vivid with imagina-
ton. and calls forth the unanimous verdict,
''Magntfcence!' Here we rest" The grow.
ing popularity along its banks and constantly
increasing beauty of the Hudson invites many
from all parts OF the world to sail out upon the
lovely sheet of water SO rich in memories so
great In renOwn. The centennial celebration
of peace next October will be an event that will
induce many to become pilgrims of the Hudson,
making
NEwBURGH THE MECCA.
Newburgh is delightfully."- situated on the west
side of the river, smuggling close to the base of
Storm King mountain, sixty miles above New
York city. 1t will gain wider reputation as
the theater wherein will be re-enacted the clos
Ing scenes of the great drama of the revolution;
beside, 1t is resort especially attractive to
lovers OF nature, for with the grand old Hudson
at her feet, in the very heart Of the Highlands,
made famous by the genial pen of Willis. there
is dramatic charm that must be seen and felt,
Tor helther poet or artist can portray the effect
under the shadows OF Storm King. Newburgh
is historic Tor the conspicuous part played in
the struggle for national life, and is fully en-
titled to her centennial. 1t was here the patriot
army had headquarters. Here Washington and
Lafayette, with their brave men, planned and
sorrowed preceding the cOnsummatfon of peace,
and when the glad tidings reached Washington,
condensed into one wOrd-''Peace'-w can
fancy the soul stirring applause that foated
down the Hudson, reverberating through the
glens ION such happy day." subse-
qaently the patriots dsbanded, having
independence Of the American republic. The
right triumphed: peace was a tremendous
fact October, 1888, Washington stood, not
only at the commencement of q new year, but at
the head of new world" on the day he de-
iivered his eloquent farewell address to the
brave men who had conquered peace. In fancy
We can almost hear the Father of his Country
saying, {" 1t is consummated," and hear the ten
thousand voices who took up the strains of the
grand old anthem Independence, responding to
their Chief. amen. They could sing of liberty
with the spirit and understanding; such music
was prayer to waiting hearts-the key note of
patriotism. 1t had led them to victory, such
words inspiring men to brave deeds. but on this
jOy-day the shout of victory was a te deum of
praise. They were going home; their hopes
and dreams had at last revOlved into reality,
and songs OF courage and praise went UP from
every heart, Soldiers knew the power of music
Washington's band Of patriots experienced the
unseen influence 80 potent In effect.
THE APPROACHING CENTENNIAL
revlves memories of the patriots who fought az
one man in common cause under the banner
OF Liberty, and who hailed the dawn of peace,
the morning star OF hope. on the banks of the
Hudson. The military record of the grand old
river is as world-renowned as her beauty, for
on her banks revolutionary history was written
In blood and finally closed the record. No
other section of our country is more replete
with incidents of war for American indepen-
dence. The public Is to be congratulated that
this great epoch is to be celebrated in a place so
fitting and beautiful as Newburgh. The salu-
brty Of its air. the diversity of its scenery, the
grandeur of it's mountains, and quiet spendOr
of its valleys make it delightful, whether
viewed from the river, from the mountain, or
its own quiet streets. WashingtOn's head
quarters stand plateau several acres in extent
on the southern verge of the city, commanding
a view tar into the pass of the highlands It
stands on ground given by Queen Ann. in 17l9,
to the unfortunate Palatines, whose sad history
has given legend for story and song, and was
built in 1850 by Colonel Hasbroock Washing
ton made it his headquarters in 1882 After
relinqushed it as headquarters it
in the HarbrOOck family until 1S49,
when 1t was purchased for its historic associa-
tons by the state of New York, and placed in
n ar NJ a hno I'd rf
curator has charge of the house and
grounds and the fine museum of historic relics
gathered there to keep the memory of the pat
riots green in the hearts of posterity Here
may be seen the old arm chair of Washington
Aaron Burr's sword and several hundred relics
OF interest to those who have a veneration for
the past. Newburgh's close proximity to West
Point is an additional feature to invite visitors
to the Centennial. The drive to this famous
place is charming, and is regulation duty of ali
who visit the highlands. Senator Bayard is to
deliver the grafton, and will do the subject ius-
tice: The patriots blood flowed in his veins;
ne knows Ahe true meaning of constitutional
liberty. The Storm King mountain, under
whose shadow Newburgh rests. was known in
the old Dutch days as Klinkersberg; afterwards
1t was called Button Hill, but Willis selected the
name Storm King. It's position is
one of the columns of the northern gate to the
its bold projection into the river and
abrupt ascent tend to give it great individual
lty, and from its heights the most uninterrupted
view is obtained of the Cornwall basin, beau
tiful panoramic landscape, embracing an area of
10000 square miles. Storm King is one of the
of Cornwall; here was the home of
Willis; here he lived and died. but the love the
poet felt for the mountain, and the Hudson, ex-
pressed in song will live,
''While there is snow on the mountain, or foam on
the river"
New Windsor, adjacent to Newburgh. was the
early home of the gifted De Witt Clinton. but its
renoWn is a memory. Another sacred spot near
by is the grave OF the gallant Duncan, one of
the heroes OF Mexico. native of Cornwall, who
loved every hill and dale Of his home. and bow
hood associations. There is a restful quiet over
the Hudson that suggests repose-the fruit of
victory. There is strange fascination when in
this historic precinct, to become more ac-
quainted with the lives of great men and men,
orable events. and pOetical dreaming seems the
normal condition of all who look upon the Hud-
sons enchanted waters. Still amid all this
beauty the spirit of progress is lowering over
the Highlands. The Rip Van Wrinkle slumber
is broken. The good people of Newburgh can
celebrate the advent of their first railroad (the
new West ShOre) in conjunction with the peace
centennial for it is an accomplished fact an
event Of 1885,
The Hudson so rich In beauty. 80 great in re-
nown, is justly entitled to admiration. Irving.
IN NN<l --t- l---- IN. Il