National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-30
A CITY TO BE.

Scene; Washington and vicinity. Time;
The administration Of Andrew jackson.
What day Of what month and year II was [
will not declare. l am positive q bright
sun Illuminated the national city, and the
broad avenues and streets were never so
thronged as on n certain important morn
ing. Indeed, from an early hour Il was
easy TO discern that distinguished day had
dawned. After long and impatient waiting
the pavoment-lining crowd saw process
sion, with banners and music, slowly pro-
crossing from the direction of the presiden-
tial mansion toward the capitol. Pennsyl-
vania avenue gazed with innumerable
eager eyes; Pennsylvania avenue exclaimed
with many-toned multitudinous tongues,
"There he is ~
And verify there he was. Andrew Jack
son, hero OF New Orleans, the absolute
man, the righteously and sternly just, the
tfuost and most incorporating character
cur country ever produced-Andrew Jack
son, alike and equally the loved aud hated,
president Of the United States-loved by
all the honest, hated by all the evil.
As II the world were very peaceful
paradise for him, which IL was far from be-
ing, there he sat In an open barouche, bow
ing universal benedlctlon Shouts answered
his silent salutntion, and so went on Baluta-
tion and shouts into the distance.
At the Capitol park the procession
turned, taking the direction Of Maryland
avenue, thus continuing to the "Long
Bridge, resounding overlt, aud, finally halt
ing on our opposite shore, the "Distrlctn
then, Virginia now, Just where the little
circllng waves Of the Potomac broke on the
low aud level sand.
Why hating thereY Everybody knew
the many already assembled at the spot
from the green hills and dales and woods
around, the military and civil line, the ir-
regular outskirters from the metropolis.
The corner stone Of jackson City, would
then and there be laid; Orators were ready
to mount yonder platform, and, under
wreaths, under the tapping folds of the
Star Spangled Banner, glorlfy the founda-
ton, and throw Wide the portals OF the
future that all should see and rejoice In the
prosperity Of "Thc City TO Be-
Over the monoionous land, Holland-llke,
sunken and pond-dotted, above the chorus
OF frogs, courageous speeches were pro-
nounced and sublimated by music of brazen
bands; then the President set the corner
stone Of the city destined TO perpetuate
his name.
Night and silence. Yet not entire stills
ness. An owl hooted, answered by whip
poor-will, answered again by operate frogs.
The small crescent moon, gondola-like,
foated in its deep blue star-isled ocean; the
faint murmur of waters was heard. The
pageant had passed away, and broken and
vanished in the place of its origin.
Not long after this dedication, bill was
before Congress appropriating many
thousands of dollars to construct marble
bridge, uniting the cities of Washington
and jackson.
We still wait that magnificent transit,
still look In vain for the commerce and
wealth and fashion Of cur rival neighbor.
But what needs Andrew jackson to honor
his name? His noble life crowned 1t for all
time.
Still, did not the hero and sage see in the
future beyond our sight, and is II not prob
nblc, is II not sure, that, around the crllmb.
ling and lonely cornerstone of the ancient
ceremony may arise, fair child Of the me-
tropolis, the reality of his ambitions dream?
Is not the very shore Of Washington adj
yancing TO meet the shore of jackson; and
In the grand park soon TO be presented by
Potomac may not the happy people of both
cities some day meet and lovingly associateS
s. ID.