Oakes weekly Republican. (Oakes, Dickey County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1898, 1891-04-10
The Newer Plymouth Rock.

To the population of the United
States OF century or two hence, when
the vast access of population which
has been received into the country be-
tween 1920 and 1890 shall have be-
come more completely merged with
the older inhabitants-or, perhaps,
two or three centuries later, when
1920 and 1920 will seem very much
nearer together in the retreating per-
spective OF time, than they seem now
few structures will possess greater
interest than Castle Garden, in New
York City.
Many thousands of Am mericans o
1.-The future, indeed, will look back toit,
with something OF the same feeling
that New England people have toward
Plymouth Rock. There is something
about the exile OF millions OF German,
Irish and Italian people, crowded out
of their native lands by oppression or
the hard conditions OF life there, which
! is only less pathetic than the emigra-
tion OF the Pilgrims. Time will lend
romance to much that now seems en-
tirely commonplace and unromantic,
and Castle Garden will come to be-
honored as thegateway through which
a very large element of it's population
entered this free republic.
The use of this famous building as q
landing place for immigrants is now
discontinued. 1t has an interesting
history. 1t was built by the general
| government in 1907 as identification,
and was then quite surrounded with
water. Its usefulness as a fort does
not seem to have. been great, and in
1922 Castle Clinton, as it was then
called, was ceded by the government
to the City OF New York.
1t was attached to the mainland by
a sort of park or garden" and used
as a place of amusement, the immedi-
ate locality taking the name OF Castle
Garden. 1t was not until 1855 that
it WAS leased to the commissioners of
emigration of the State OF New York,
and became the greatest emlgrant de-
pot OF the world-an establishment
without a parallel in history.
Though Castle Garden is not a large
building compared with hundreds OF
more recent structures in New York
City, its situation, close upon the
shore, with the open harbor upon one
side and the green space of the Battery
Park upon the other, and its circular
form and dome give it a commanding
and even imposing appearance to the
landing immigrant. 1t must always
have a certain sacredness in his recol-
lection, If he becomes patriotic Amer
ican.
Castle Garden has long been insult
able for the purpose OF a landing STA
tion, and the government had for
some little time been looking about
for another point of Decentralization
which should be entirely underlts own
authority. Bedloe's Island, upon
which stands the statue Of Liberty
Enlightening the World, was first fix
ed upon.
There would certainly have been
something quite poetic and inspiring
in the landing at the very feet of Lib
erty OF the myriads of refugees from
hard conditions OF life in Europe. But
the opposition Of the people OF New
York to this selection was very earn
est, and for various reasons it was
uo01nOu CApCuAcuU W cSOHpuSu Uu0
landing station somewhere else.
Ellis Island, which is not far from
Bedloe's Island, was finally selected.
There the construction of a new etCas-
tie Garden" is now in progress In
stead of landing at the feet OF Liberty,
the Immigrant will land behind her
back, but will pass. beneath her on
his way. He may, if his imagination
serves him, fancy her locking down in
welcome and benediction. ,.3 !;
The new house OF landing will be az
large structure of wood, and in ape
.pearance and arrangements will beS
much more like q modern railway
station than is Castle Garden.
Upon the island will be erected sew
eral other buildings, to be used as hos-l.
pitfalls, residences Of officers and ply
sicians, and for other purposes.
The wants OF the newly arrived Inn
migrant are almost endless. Hemust
find some trustworthy represents
OF the government. who can speak
with him IN his own tongue, and ii
necessary, write q letter for him Ia
that Language. He neede, mo Doubt,
a ticket to some interior point, and {s
in danger Of being deeced BY 6harf,erss
His foreign money must b6 chSheSd
Tor that OF the United Stat tea. tfsu.l
tlcn TO III the reQuiremeuts of = Hreat
number ~ people mAkoD the IN x6fk
Immigrant iandine'plAce AMI ei(oSu
tngly busy place Il IL 'i{a - 81