Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-11-22

the prosperity of the City. 1t was
awakened from its summer sleep re-
freshed, strengthened, and more beau
titled than before. This is the season
for Washington's truant guests to re-
turn, and the city as hostess, receives
them arrayed in costlier attire than she
has worn on any similar OCCASION
During the summer absence OF residents
and guests, no time was lost in renew
ing and improving her toilet for this
grand autumnal reunion. The six
months absentee notices many improve
ments. New streets have been opened
and paved with concrete; sidewalks
have been laid barren places have
been covered by substantial, elegant
buildings, and new fountains send up
their crystal columns. A liberal use
of paint has concealed traces of dilapi-
dation,s and the entire city looks so
fresh and new, that every one return
ing to it is impressed by its advanta-
geous contrast with other towns. AS
the Capital City, Washington possesses
unique advantages as place Of resi-
dence, and wealthy persons from every
part of the republic are securing houses
for their families here. Army and Navy
officers appointed for life, are buying
sites and homes, and foreign govern
ments are investing in official residences
for their Ambassadors. In the North
western portion of the City are pala-
tial homes that princes might covet.
Some of these are owned by well-known
statesmen and men of distinction, and
are counted among the sights Of the
city. The most in demand by sight
seers, are the houses of James G. Blaine,
Jerome Bonaparte, Senators Pcndleton
and Cameron, and ex-Senators Window
and Sherman. The gigantic system of
public improvements inaugurated for
Washington, has progressed so steadily
and satisfactorily, that nothing con-
corning the future growth and embell-
ishment of the city seems extravagant
or impossible. The oft-repeated scheme
ofremoving the National Capital to a
more central salubrious part of the Re-
public, suggests too many formidable
obstacles for the Government ever to
take the matter seriously in hand. The
sites of certain enterprising towns, that
have loudly asserted their claims to the
successorship of Washington, would be
more eligible, no one denies, for the
Capital City of a country three thous
and miles wide, But might have
been" is not and the destiny of Wash
ington may be pronounced fixed irreyo-
cably through the immense sums that
have already expended here on the
Government buildings. To desert
these costly, marble palaces, which
half Il century had failed to complete,
and b,gin the erection of similar ones
elsewhere, would seem an unjustitiabIe
proligably, that the resources, even of
a lavish and wealth nation, could not
but feel. Standing on the Virginia
side of the potamac, and viewing the
majestic fabric, known as the Capitol
building Of Washington, as it appears
from this point perfect and complete
in its white sublimity and chastc
granduer, the sacrilege of removal
rushes npon one in it's strongest light.
The stately structure is acknowledged
to be the most magnificent State edi-
fee in the world. During the summer
vacation, it received new touches of
beauty. Its long deserted chambers
and marble corridors will soon again
resound to the tread and voices of
Statesmen and demagogues. The Ex-
ecutive Mansion that has seemed Sc
verely empty during the Presidents
absence, is again frightened by his
presence. The city is rapidly receiv-
ing its winter complement of lesisla-
tors, jurists, journalists, lobbyists, Of
lice-s seekers, beauty and fashion. The
scaldron of politics will soon begin to
bubble, and boil with its conflicting ell
ements, and the Capitol at Washington
will again be the cynosure Of the Ma