The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-04-26
Correspondence Baltimore County IN. on.
A VISIT TO THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
A Baltimore County Lady Seeing the
Sights in the Nations Capital.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. April 2lst, 1884

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 21st, 1884.
Editors Union "Wednesday last being bright
and sunny, we went to the new War and State De-
partment building, considered the finest building
on the continent. There are hundreds of rooms in
it furnished in elegant style, grand starways, &c.
l could not do it justice, will not attempt to de-
scribe it, They are now adding the Navy Depart
ment wing. In the State Department library there
are $4,000 volumes. In case in this room is the
original Declaration of Independence. Some OF
the names have faded. The original draft of TIE
Declaration, by Thomas Jefferson, is also in this
case; also directions as to what kind of tomb
stone would be to him most gratifying. "0n the
grave plain die or cube of feet, without any
mouldings, surrounded by an obelisk of feet
height, each of single stone. On the faces OF
the obeisk the following inscription, and not a
word more: Here lies buried Thomas Jefferson,
author of the Declaration of Independence, Of the
statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and
father of the University of Virginia. On the die
of the obelisk might be engraved, Born April I'd,
1743.' Opposite side, Died - - Because
by these I want to DO remembered. To be of
coarse stone, that no one might be tempted here
after to destroy it for the value of the materials
All this is in his own handwriting. Notwith-
standing this, I learn his tomb has been defaced
by relic hunters, and think new one has been
erected.
In another case in this room is Franklins cane,
walking stick, with its gold head curiously wrought
in the form of the Cap of Liberty, give to my
friend, and the friend of mankind, Gen. Washing
ton. If it were sceptre he has merited it and
would become it." This cane Gen. Washington
wiled to his brother Charles in these words:-
"Item, to my brother, Charles Washington, give
and bequeath the gold headed cane left me by DR..
Franklin in his will" In the same case is the
desk on which Jefferson wrote the original Decla-
ration of Independence.
In another case is a magnificent solid silver urn,
of huge proportions, "presented to Capt. Isaac
Hall, on the 9Th Sept, 1872, of the U. S. frigate
Constitution, for distinguished gallantry and con-
duct in eabduing the British frigate Guerrero in
the irst naval conflict of the war" Also an elegant
sword, presented to him by the citizens Of Connec.
ticut.
In case was Washington's sword worn by him
S Colonel in the Colonial service Of Virginia in
Forbes campaign against the French and Indians
and afterwards during the whole period of the wa
of independence as commander in chief Of tn,
American army.
The Presidents house being quite near, we wen;
there to view the procession of colored people who
were celebrating the Emancipation anniversary
We sat at window near the front door. Just al
the head OF the procession reached the White
House President Arthur and son walked out. Th,
President advanced to the front of the portco, &C
companied by Secretary Chandler. of the Nary
ne Presluenb illLeu MS nat Wnen SAluteu Dy tnem
Mrs. McElroy and daughter having left the daj
before, the President and son were alone with th
servants.
jackson Square, with the fine Jackson statue il
it, is Immediately opposite the White House. l.
is surrounded by cannon captured in the battle o.
New Orleans by Gen. Jackson in 1912.
Bicycle riding is favorte means of locomotioi
in this city; many six young men can be see,
riding abreast. The streets being concrete it re-
quires very little effort to propel them. The cit
zens walk as often in the middle of the streets a,
on the sidewalk. They are smoother than the
pavements and so wide there is sufficient room for
ALL
Friday evening we attended lecture by W. M
IL. French illustrative of the ideal to decorative
art. He illustrated his lecture by crayon sketches
and astOnished and received the applause of the
house by his rapid and perfect drawing of por-
traits, landscapes, &c.
Last week your compositor made me say, "Prof
S. A. Boyd was lecturing Memories, or the art
of acquiring memory" 1t should have been
"Mnemonics, or the art of acquiring memory"
We are now trying to master the art. TO show
you what advanced ideas the children of the pres
ent day have, I'll give you an incident that came
under my own observation: A little girl, six
years old this month, came in day last week
and said to me- II was looking at some men dig
ging when man told me to clear out. 1 had a
strong notion to call policeman. Wish now
had done L certainly will next time"
Yesterday, by invitation, accompanied a
friend that has pew in the First Congregational
church, to hear Rev. DR.. Rankin preach. BischoH,
who has been blind since he was two years of age,
is the organist, and is considered the finest in
Washington. In playing he initiates the human
voice to perfection. The organ is fine one; was
built at a cost of $4,000; runs by water and has
As stops and 81 pipes. They have fine choir of
thirteen voices. Frederick Douglass, with his
white wife, occupied pew Immediately in the rear
of US. had good look at them. Sheis blonde,
plump, good looking, dressed fine. A good por-
ton of the Congressman attend this church, and
it filled with ine-looking, we'll dressed people.
At o'clock we attended confirmation in the
seven girls and 1o4 boys received that rite. Ts
most Of the churches have dsbandsa I'll. ---..he
Q ri ;cs'aed have precent-=-i7 INC Singing
INCoG.