The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-03-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From A Live vermonter.

| sctIn W tillnh IL WoTtH WHilt W Hlukt
visit of inspection to this city, the hearts
centre of this broad country already the
greatest, graudest nation that exists, ol
ever has existed, ! thought that perhaps
description of the impression conveyed
to person upon his first visit might be
of interest to the reader.
Yet. descriptions however vivid or wei
| Illustrated, can give no approach TO al
adequate impression upon one to whom
the history, welfare, and grandeur Of the
country has ever been a matter of deel
interest. Only one who stands amid, anC
his eyes rest upon, the verv objects ant
surroundings so strongly Identified with
the great and stirring events of our his
tory, can one fully realize their soul-thrill
ing nature. As for instance, alighting
from the train at the b. & l.. depot and
walking into the Gorgeous waitng-room
| noticed that | was sanding upon q
large bright star chiseled into the tiled
floor. Glancing at the wall close at my
side, see surrounded by chaste, emble-
matte sculpture, "James A. Garfield, July
End, 1881" Yes, just here, upon the very
spot, and upon the very tiles where now
stand, the President received the bul let
of Guiteau. How natural this feeling
comes to mind "Oh, would that
could have clutched the villains throat,
and thus kept back in the veins the noble
blood that flowed with such pure and
lofty purpose J"
By the way, does it seem possible that
Isaw greater per cent. of abandoned
land in Delaware and Maryland, even
upon this line of great thoroughfare, than
one sees in riding through Vermont :
Yet, such is the fact. The curse of slav-
cry seems yet to linger in this fair cline
But to return to the Capital. l regis
ter at the nearest hotel, take hurried
repast, and under the glare of The elec-
trio light step out into Pennsylvania
avenue, the great thoroughfare of the
city, connecting the Capitol Building to
the White House, which are full mile
apart. This is one of the finest, as well
as bloadest streets in the world-as clean,
as smooth, and as hard as waXed floor.
Noticing the lofty dome Oft to the East,
| naturally saunter hither. Hundreds of
times l have seen views of the Capitol,
but as approach, and it gradually comes
into full sight, my mind is well nigh be-
wIldered although am no novice at sight
seeing. Walking up the hard graite steps,
mounting terrace after terrace, at last
stand upon a level with the entrance. and
turn about. The view is simply grand
The only light is The uncIoudet half
moon overhead, and below and before me
is The whole city, eyerywhers sparkling
with the electric jets, and stretching in
broad avenues, with my feet as a common
cenLre, for miles aronnd.
l walk around upon the granite path to
the East side. Here all noise is hushed,
and the broad gardens, clothed in deep
green, stretch out as far as the dim light
can carry the vision. | stand under the
broad poltlco, with its immense pillars
rising fifty feet above. Close upon the
right is the gigantic statute of Columbus
clothed in mail, and holding the Globe in
his outstretched hand Upon the left,
the immense sculptured figures represent.
ing The PrAGress of Civilization-the
sturdy Pioneer with his strong hand
grasping the arm of the Indian, holding
| back the tonianawk from the heads of his
wife and Child, who lie PROSTATE at his
feet These are upon pedlstals in front
OF the highly elevated porch. Just back
of them, encased in the wall, are the
statues representing WAR and Peace; ?
all Of these statues must be fully twenty
feet high, and cost hundred thousand
dollars.
| And right here upon platform pro-
Jecting over the steps, all of our Presi-
dents are inaugurated. Just here Lincoln
in '6l stood and faced the tens of thous-
ands of faces, many of them darkened by
feelings of anger and resentment. Here
the host OF the conquering army marched
by in 90. l tell you, when one stands
here in such stiffness and solitude, recol
lections fairly weigh down the mind
Everything connected with the govern
ment works seems to have been built
with prescience of the forthcoming
greatness of the nation.
| One of the most impressive features is
that inaugurated by our own Senator, Mr.
Morrill-two statues from each state
tastefully arranged upon the side of the
circular room formerly used by the House
of Representatives, but now otherwise
unoccupied. Here Washington, Hamil
ton, Jefferson, Greene, Adams, and 9
score of others stand in life-like marble
The true Vermonter is most impressed
with Mead's statue of Eathan Allen, rep
resenting him in all his power and mai
esty, as he Numbered at the gates OF
Ticonderoga.
This room is one hundred feet across
and sixty feet high, and with It's frescoes
pillars, paintings and statuary, is alone
worthy of a iuil days study. In fact. nc
one upon hurried excursion" visit cal
carry any adequate conception whatever
of their government works and thei
adurnment. One must settle down for a
least fortnight's visit of sole inspection
before he can grasp even the framework
as whole.
This is one of the most hospitabl,
places ever visited. Speak to anyon,
upon the street or elsewhere, at any tim,
and upon any subject, and he will Civ,
you kind and attentive answer. All o
the government employees are especial.
civil and polite. There is less dis
tinction between rich and poor here o
any place | was ever in. Kindness, goo,
manners, and good sense, seem to rule
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