Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-02-22

In Ine HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE Ou lIuie-
dag Gen. W. Il. F. Lee spoke ia favor Of
holding the proposed worlds fair in Wash
ipgt0n. He said
"Mr. Speaker, 50 much has been said in
this debate that there remains but very little
for ne TO add. But, sir, of all the places
msnliooed for a national exhibition l think
that the city of Washington, the capital OF
this country, is not only the proper but the
only place where il should be held. II was
proper. sir, that The centennial celebration
OF tbs Declaration Of Independence should
be held in Philadelphia, for it was from that
time honored hall that the great enuu citation
Of human rights was made end launched
upon The world which stirred the breast Of
every patriot and caused hope to spring
sgaiu, exultiug on triumphant wing 10 the
hearts of many, where then regned dark
c;espondency if not abject despair. 1t vas
proper, sir, that the great industrial exposi
ton shoud have been held in the city of
New Orleans, to show to the world what the
@ou, h.d accomplished, 20 show, notwiih-
standing her years If sorrow end suffering,
What progress she bad made in the great
march of prosperity. Bus, sir, when sou
come 10 spesk of z national exhibition to
:. hicn are 10 be invited the nations OF the
sord, who, es Informed, will only treat at
De seat uf government, it strikes noe that
nsi coueids ration alone would bee sufficient
,teumeut for the selection OF Washington
~ the cite With the exception of the az
ci4n city of Rome, so far as my recollection
OF history goes, Washington is the only
city WHICH was selected as governing city
oy lis founders II was intended to be q
isptvl, Tree from commerce sud from trade.
Some of our friends on the other side, L
hink the gentleman froG Illinois, said that
sentiment should enter ioto the selection of
he sits for the worlds ia!r. | heartily re-
spond to that idea, for ii furnishes an sddi
iongl reason SHY the fair should be held
here The visitor Bbo comes to this capi-
tsI flied with the sentiment of America's
history, shou!d he want TO view the spot
where the fret lodgment of Eogiishmen was
made upon this western continent, can 90
so by few hours ride. Should he want TO
see The heights AID plains OF Yorkto#p,
: here was enacted the last great drama OF
ne revolution, Ii is an essy stage by boat or
oy train Alexander Humboldt, standing
upon these ateps ou his visit to America and
looking at the beautiful scene that stretched
before him, said it was the ersndest that be
had ever seen. because he looked upon
the laud which had given to this count
rs its greatest soldiar, its greatest
civilian and its greatest President
He looked upon the land, too, that was fore
mos in the organization of The freedom of
he country. He looked across that river
upon the land that gave t. the young re-
public its western domain, which ended
only with the setting of the sun, tbat do.
main which is low teemiug with population
and whose Representatives sit upon this
floor ard will vote upon this question. And,
sir, if sentiment is to enter az factor into
this selection, it seems to mo, as was re-
fsrred to by the Distinguished gentleman
from Maryland who preceded ma Mr. Nc
Comae), that the proper place for great
national exposition ia here, upon the only
territory that bears the name Of the dscov-
erey of America, and in the city which bears
the name of its great founder, the pater
petrin Of Amsrica. Applause. And, sir,
as my friend has said, should any visitor
desire 10 visit the mecca of America
Mount Vernon-it is witbin easy reach.
Mr. Speaker, will not tire you or this
House by putting forward, in the few re-
marks assigned to me, any argument as to
the capacity of this city to entertain its
visitors. for that ell admit; but 1 will say
once more, that if we are to invite the ma
tions of the world to come among US aud to
exhibit with ue, and If We are to act the part
of hospitality we should take them pot only
TO our hearts. bat should bring them here to
the home of this great country.