Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-10-17
THE sE:QUI.cENTENNIAL.

The Washington correspondent oi
the New York Evening Post writes ss
follows of Alexandria's sesqui.cen.
tennial:
Alexandria, which last week celebrat-
ed in becoming fashion sesqui Cen.
tennial, reminds the northern visitor
of Salem in Massachusetts. The signs
of former commercial glory in each are
strikingly alike. Both were at one
time scenes of great activity. One had
the West Indies trade, and the other
had the East Indies trade. The loss OF
this trade had not ruined these cities,
for they are still thriving, though only
shadows, relatively speaking. of their
former might and splendor.
The stranger could hardly realize
when gazing at the Virginia city on
Thursday that only thirtyeight years
agoiit had been one OF the bitterest
secession centres in the South. In
celebrating its sesqui-centennial au-
DIVERSITY Alexandria covered herself
with American flags to degree which
is rarely seen equalled. The stars
and stripes were everywhere, and
usually arranged in the most
tasteful manner. The confederate
flag was rarely seen. A beautiful
floral piece representing the flag, which
had been made in Washington, was in
evidence. The large building, the
Marshal House, which in. 81 hoated the
Confederate flag which Colonel Ellis,
worth tore down, is still standing, bat
somewhat changed in appearance. How
mauy readers recall the shock which
came to the North when the news of
that great tragedy was told? And yet
Alexandria seems to have preserved no
trace of the rage which impelled it..
Thirty eight years is short lime in the
history OF town $50 years old.
There is much to admire in Alexan.
dria; shere was much to admire in the
parade and preparations of this ami
yersary celebration. The word sad
mire" may vel! be used here with its
original meaning of wonder at"
Northerners who believe that all the
enterprise and the energy of the nation
abide in the North would have received
q rude shock. The parade was most
orderly and digni6ed. One could not
distinguish by their carriage and con.
duct the marching delegations OF Alex
andria from those from other cities.
Their uniforms were all neat, and their
appearance excellent. Alexandria has
| reason TO be prouder than ever before
of the land of the Fairfaxes.
The chief repown of the place comes
from its association with the name OF
Washington. As surveyor be assist.
ed, in 1749, in laying out the towt; be
received his first army commission
here; he brought bis wife and made his
home at Mount Vernon, nearby; be
represented the town and county in the
General Assembly; he presided over the
first meeting of the Revolution, held
there; he was the maiDstay of Christ
Church; be was one of the first Master
Masons here-in short, Alexandria was
the home of Washington. In no other
city in his land today do the pictures
OF any other man outnumber those o.
George Dewey, but on Alexandrla's
streets ew were the faces Of the hero o.
Manila; they were laid aside for those
Of Alexandria's first citizen.
The visitor az the old Christ Church
hears a woman tell her compapiou
| shat the interior is like Kings Chspe
or The Old South Meeting House
One is struck by the association
Of the names OF Washington and Rober
E. Lee in that church. Each has {
memorial tablet on the wall, and theirs
Is no other. The pew OF each is desig
mated by silver shield, containing
fac-simile of it's famous occupants auto
graph. The name of Lee is second
oDly to that of Washington in the
nearts OF Alexandrians. This affection
for Lee is chiefly personal and has little
relation to his cause, except as peo
pie who have lost much by sdversitl
must have deep, intense sympathy
for the chief who led them through
that valley of sorrow. How telliDs
and in what excellent taste is the iu
scription on the monument to the
memory OF the Confederate soldiers o.
Alexandria who fell in battle: "They
died in the consciousness of duty faith
fully performed"
Perhaps the most interesting place il
the city is the Carlyle House, abou
which Mrs. Burton Harrison has wover
rho charming "Belhaven Tales II
this old mansion Gen. Braddock heit
his conference with the leading men
America before venturing on the expe
dition against the Iadians whicl
snded in the tragedy of For
N. .srhat chamber is kep