Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-11

In the course Of his response to the toast,
'sThe capital of the foremost republic" Hon.
J. L. NJ. Curry said: Washington city, of
course. is prominently identified with the
fame, the character and the achievements of
him of whom Lord Brougham said that the
test Of progress in civilization and liberty was
to be determined by the respect and the rever-
ence that should be shown the character of
that man. The inhabitants Of the state are
localized in their attachment. Neutrality-suspicious.
are not restricted by any narrow state lines.
They are not cabined or cribbed and confined
by any local state prejudices. In the broad
sweep OF their sympathies they take in every
part and every interest and every citizen of
this union of states. / wish l could initiate,
nay, should even regard it as proud privi-
lege, if were able to repeat what has been SO
eloquently and SO POLITICALLY said in reference
to this great capital by the editor Of the
evening paper of this city. 1t suggests
itself OF course obviously on all such occasions
that Washington is the capital of this great
confederation Of states. You see already that
I am not republican. [Applause.l 1t is of
course the seat of government Of this great
union of states. The executive, the judicial,
the legislative departments are concentrated
here Hither come the representatives from
the foreign nations Of the earth. Washington
city from the beginning has been the political
center. From this point have radiated the in
fuences which have nodded legislation and Or
ganized and directed parties, but this centen-
NAL impresses us with and emphasizes the fact
that Washington city, no longer content with
being simply the political center. has become
or is fast becoming the great center of the re-
public. Perhaps it may not have occurred to
some who are here tonight that in the various
bureaus there 60 out continually certain de-
mands for men of scholarship and intelligence
and research and science; that the publications
from our various scientific bureaus have placed
our glorious country alongaide Of the most en-
tobf al acio Mt off ~ xho
earth.
81 read the other day in little pamphlet got
ten up by the scholarly president of the Column
bian University in this city that there were
connected with the National Museum twenty
three bureaus Of a scientific character under
the patronage Of the government Of the United
States The atmosphere we breathe. as has
been illustrated here tonight. is an atmosphere
of eloquence, poetry and thought. This CEN
tenniai celebration of the patent system ia the
best and possibly the most conspicuous illus
tration of what may be done by government
for science"
Il cannot" he went on, "pursue this train OF
thought at this hour and under these circum.
stances. venture, however. to say in connec-
ton with this city that while the Columbian
exhibition at Chicago (applausel--I was not in
favor of its going to Chicago. was a Wash.
ington city man. [Great applause.
II will say in connection with the Columbian
exhibition at Chicago, that city which in it,
growth and its development is the marvel OF
the centuries, north, south, east and west, that
none will be more loyal to what has been done
than the inhabitants of Washington city in
| striving to make it the most brilliant success
of all the expeditions Of the century. [Grea,
applause.l
This Columbian exposition shall be sustained
under the direction Of the general government
OF the United States This great capital city Of the
country shall not be or ought no. be Behind
hand in its prominent connection with it. To
this great city flock visitors from all lands
Hither come students of economical and
scientific questions, Of commerce and CT poll
tics. After our great naval reviews ut New
York and at Hampton there will come to this
metropolis, the most beautiful Of all the cities
Of this continent and the Mecca of liberty-lov
ing people, pilgrims from all lands, representa-
tlves from all nations, between whom no en-.
tangling alliances exist with ourselves and with
whom we would cultivate peace, good fellow
ship and reciprocal trade"