Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-08
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

Engiishmen were closely watching the
signs of the times In the United States
| nifty years ago. in an Ell
England and fort to judge Of the Hkeli-
America hood OF war between the
north and the south. and
also to gauge sentiment toward Great
Britain. then somewhat strained Echoes
of the comments abroad on this subject
were to be found in the American press.
which betrayed q keen anxiety as to the
sympathies of the old world. In The Star
Of July 2. 1855. are extracts from the Lofl-
don papers on the subject. as follows:
1.-THE London Globe OF June 10 says: Let
US not suppose that the internal discords OF
our American kinsfolk afford any sort OF
additional security that those who admin
lister their affairs win be the more disposed
to preserve peace externally. Some OF
them. on the contrary. might not be sorry
to adjourn internal discords and compel
unanimity by plunging into war.
"a writer. signing himself AmeTfcus. says
In letter to the London Times: would
humbly beg the people OF Great Britain to
reooilect at this solemn moment OF inter
national differences how monstrous the re-
bellion Of the colonies against the mother
country was considered at the time. and
how universally its justice Is acQuiesced In
now: to recollect that the United states
went to war with Great Britain In 1872 to
resist the exercise OF q claimed right. now
admitted to be an uneQuivocal wrong; and
by the light OF this experience to ask
they may be once more mistaken In regard
to the merits OF certain questions. which
heaven grant may nots this time lead to
war;"
Half century ago the only railroad COM
munication between Washington and the
south was the single
Orange and track called the Orange
Alexandria. and Alexandra railroad
In The Star OF July s,
1856. Is the following paragraph with ref
erence to this Line,
I'VE are pleased to note the growing pros
perity of this work 1t forms. with Its adj
Junct. the Virginia Central railway. an en-
tire line by rail- between Washington and
Richmond (save the six miles by water from
this city to Alexandria, and is the only
direct route from Washington and the cities
north Of 1t to the principal Virginia water
ing places. The cars are now daily crowd
ed with passengers, yielding very hand
some revenue to the company; indeed, we
are informed that the receipts for the cur
rent year will exceed the sum Of $780,
600. The company has charter for and
Is now engaged in the construction of an
additional link to It's road to connect it
with Lynchburg, where 1t will be In d.
rect communication with the railroads OF
stppi. To effect this highly important OBJ
ject. a distance of over sixty miles about
one-third of which Is already done) the
company has issued its coupon bonds Sc
cured by mortgage on the whole work,
which are now for sale in the market, In
terest payable semi-annually in New York.
These bonds are selling at exceedingly low
rates, considering the unquestionable value
OF the security and the promptness with
which the company has always paid the
interest. and we would invite the attention
of persons to them having money to in
vest: Washington city Is greatly interested
in the prosecution of this work. and Ats
early connection with the great southern
chain OF railroads at Lynchburg.
~.
Although Washington was never an i'm
portant political center in the sense of vote
casting at elections, it has
campaign always been the headquar-
Activity. ters OF campaign committees
to a greater or less extent.
Fifty years ago one OF the most significant
struggles for the presidency ever known in
this country was in progress and prepara-
tions were being made for vigorous fight.
In The Star OF Saturday, June g., 1850, 10
the following description of the activity In
Washington:
THE various clubs to conduct the can
vass on the part Of the democracy Of this
city are rapidly organising. They bid fair
to work, one and ALL in perfect harmony
and to cooperate to the very great advan-
tage OF the cause they all have at heart.
The federal metropolis 10 necessarily the
point from whence nearly all the political
sent over the country. They have to be
folded directed. mailed. ETC., to the number
OF perhaps millions weekly from now until
November. All this labor Is performed
| cy,~o ft,ff nv hna
from their own pockets much OF the money
necessary to pay for them also. The demo-
Gratis In Washington from each Of the
states have on this occasion for the first
The other parties, following the ex-
ample thus set by the democracy, are pre-
pairing to organize similar clubs here. which
will probably be under full Roadway by the
beginning Of August, after which until No
yenaber there will doubtless be hundreds OF
our fellow citizens laboring intensely in
setting public opinion right-each accord
ing to his own political predictions. We
wish them all merry time ont
+
The Star did not print an addition on the
Fourth Of July in 1885, and for many years
thereafter. In the issue
Local of the 9Th of July Is
Celebrators to be found the follow
ing summary OF events
Of Independence day.
In town yesterday the day passed very
quietly. with the exception Of the remarka-
bly, well-sustained fizz Of flrecrackers. The
city. indeed. was nearly empty. All the ave-
avenues OF communication with the country
were crowded from morning until night
with parties going and returning from diff
ferent out-of-town points of interest. The
Long bridge presented an animated ap-
pearance through the day of pleasure seek
ers. equestrian, pedestrian and otherwise;
the down-river boats were freighted to
overfiowing. were the cars to Bladens-
burg and other stations. Though a consid-
cradle number of the celebrators of the day
are suffering this morning the usual PEN
atty OF an over-tndulgence. In bad head
aches. aching limbs, etc, the greater por-
ton of our citizens wear that look of con-
tentment which follows a. day Of rational,
Ions api ant