The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-10
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
As 1t Now Is, Since the Politician
Took a Hand at liz.

-briefy-perhaps too briefly for the clear
understanding Of the reader-the geograph-
zeal location and proportions Of the Dis
trict of Columbia. The original act Of Con-
gress defining the location of the capital
fixed the southern limit Of its territory at
the eastern branch Of the Potomac. This
doubtless would nave been defined as the
southern limit of the Federal District
District Of Columbia). and without subse-
quent authority of Congress would not
have warranted Washington in embracing
Alexandria within HIS survey. Therefore,
he urged Congress to so amend the act as
to authorize him, without change of the
contemplated location of the capital itself,
to extend the limits of the district south
ward. His request was granted, and the
south corner or angle of the district was
placed by that body at the North Cape
of Hunting Creek" which is formed by the
confluence of that stream Qrom the Vir-
ginia side) with the Potomac, and is famil-
iarly known as Jones's point. The manner
of obtaining the exact location on Jones's
point. for beginning the survey, was made
clear in a former article.
This careful detail, or repetition, in de-
fning the southern limit of the District OF
Columbia is for the purpose Of impressing
upon the readers mind the undoubted de-
sire of Washington to bring within its
bounds his cherished home town. Alexan-
dria, The arrangement also had the added
merit of placing the capital itself very near
the geographical center of the district,
rather than near its borders. as would have
been the case had the original plan been
adhered to. CThe geographical center Of
the district as 1T was is within the cor
pOrate limits of the city of Washington
and within a stones throw of the base OF
Washington monument) Indeed, the true
meridian of the district. or a line from
Jones's point to it's north corner. would
pass directly through the White House and
along Sixteenth street TO the north bound-
airy of the city. while a base line from its
east to its west corner would cross the
meridian about one-half mile south OF the
Presidents residence.
With this explanation 1 trust that the
reader will readily recognize the beauty
and appropriateness of the District Of CO.
lumbia for the seat of the United States
government. 1t embraced the head of
ocean navigation on one of the most beau
- anu 1sA0O q NANaAAA Wa
territory: it is an admirable climate. fairly
representing in this particular the mean of
our climatic conditions; it was divided
about equally by the Potomac. which, in it's
lower portion. is a majestic river, which,
although more than 100 miles inland, here
reflects the ocean tides. while above the
city it is a brisk and limpid stream, with
its falls and cataracts and mountain trout;
it guaranteed TO Congress the control Of
both shores of the Potomac throughout the
territory of the district, and IL was the
cherished ideal of Washington himself.
1t would seem that these Ca few OF the
many) reasons should have been sufficient
to have preserved this one small portion of
our national domain sacred to its original
purposes, and to have palsied the brain that
conceived, the tongue that proclaimed, or
the hand that touchedi But the average
politician seldom reverences the past, and
If he regards the present and anticipates
the future IL is with reference to their eff
fects upon himself. and himself only. His
motives are not of the highest type. He
is either led by designing heads. or he is
swayed by cupidity. Morally and legally
he may stand before the world as an hon
est man, while his lack of foresight and
ability TO see and TO master consequences
may render him an unsafe man TO intrust
with a responsible mission. 1t is fair 10
assume that the members of the Congress
of 1876 who, under the leadership Of John
c. Calhoun, voted almost unanimously TO
recede to Virginia that portion of the Dis
trict of Columbia lying west of the PotO-
mac, have very generally, if not altogether,
presented themselves before the bar Of
eternal justice. Yet their posterity here on
earth may not hold them guiltless. The
act was committed and now for the conse-
quences. The beauty and symmetry Of the
District of Columbia Is destroyed; IL is
now a lopsided and deformed affair; the
Potomac river is its frayed and ragged
western boundary; Congress has no voice
In local matters beyond that stream; the
saloon keeper follows his hellish calling in
defiance OF regulations that prevail on this
side; Arlington, that most beautiful and
sacred spot on earth, is surrounded by
local control, over which the district
commissioners have no jurisdiction; the
highways and transportation companies
and public schools and the termination Of
all bridges across the Potomac are subject
TO different management.
These are a few of the present conditions
resulting from the unfortunate act OF ret
recession of the virginia side of the dis
trict But the past furnishes the saddest
rebuke to the memory OF those who vio-
lated the original plan OF Washington and
his compatriots. We tremble at the thought
OF the consequences which might have fol-
lowed when an imbecile executive assured
the world that he could see no authority
under the Constitution for interfering In
the affairs of a sovereign State" 1t is a
matter of surprise that while the country
was held in such awful suspense the
heights of Arlington were not made to
bristle with hostile batteries. And again.
after that calamity was so fortunately
- - Dc@NC a. III Ol
the part of the enemy. what might have
been the changed history or our country
and how many precious lives. and millions
of property might have been saved had
Robert E. Lee been a resident of the Dis
trict of Columbia, rather than a citizen OF
Virginia. In this we assume that he acted
from motives Of sincerity when he ex-
pressed his sense OF duty to State as above
his loyalty TO the Nation. Who can saw
that he would not have remained loyal to
his high trust and obligation to his coun-
try and 10 his Alma Mater on the Hudson?
Who is there TO doubt his ability IL direct
ed by higher motives than mere Loyalty to
State, 10 have maintained his high rank In
the armies OF his ountry? Who can say
that he would not have stood on the other
side, the side OF everlasting right. at Ap-
pomattox? Then the happy home at Ar
lfngron and the possible executive chair
at Washington. with the honored decline OF
old age and a inal sepulcher by the side
of kindred under the beautiful oaks sug-
gest themselves as among the things that
might have been but for the spoliation of
the District of Columbia as IL was by the
politicians OF the 4orlies-
an my next ! shall have something to say
Of the District OF Columbia as Il should
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