Gilpin observer., 1910-11-17
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was selected as site for city from
the very first day. and has been grow
ing. as city, in numbers, in beauty
and in Importance from that day to
the present hour.
washington Is great city. not sole
ly because 1t is the capital Of the
United States, nor because here are
madc the laws Of the land, nor is her
greatness from her magnificent build
ings; she is great because of the
mighty men who have SO linked their
names with her history that they are
part of her. and their immortal fame
embellishes and ennobles this spot
where they fought In the arena OF ma
tional conflict, not as mere men, put
like imperishable gods.
Let us forget the present, and go
back hundred years or 80, and with
the city being mapped and built, and
meet the men who walked its streets.
There was much dispute as to where
the capital Of the nation should be-
The southern states. supported by the
great influence OF Washington, Jeffer-
son and Madison. declared for some
spot on the Potomac; the northern
states did not want 1t 30 far south,
and ridiculed the idea of selecting a
spot still In the rough and making a
city OF 1t. They first wanted 1t on the
Susquehanna, then on the falls OF the
Delaware. and later went 80 far as to
carry the vote In favor of German
town, now a suburb OF Philadelphia,
but delay ensuing. the vote was re-
considered.
Eventually compromise was ef-
fected the southern members voting
for bill the northern states wanted
badly. and then the northern men
voted for site on the Potomac, CIV
ing the sole power to the president to
select a federal territory mot exceed.
ing ten miles square on the River Po-
tomac. at some space between the
mouths Of the eastern branch and the
Conongocheague. for the permanent
seat Of the government Of the United
States"
The site OF the present city was Sc
lected by Washington in 1871. The
place was we'll known to him from
his boyhood. and was only II miles
from Mount Vernon. All virginians
Of that day were sure that the Po-
tomac would be the route Of travel
to the interior. and that commerce
would pass through Chesapeake bay
and the Potomac to and from Europe.
Hence. the new city was to be not
only great in a political sense, but
would be a great commercial center
Al we'll.
A French military engineer who de-
cided to stay in this country rather
than return with the French troops,
was selected to plan the new city. and
the Washington of today is very large
ly the creation OF his brain.
The White House was designed
after the palace Of the duke OF Lein-
ster. In Dublin. and SO named after
the early home OF Martha Washing
ton, on the Pamunky river. In Vir-
ginia. The cornerstone was laid in
1893.
For the capitol 16 designs we're sub
mitted and rejected. but finally DIR.
William Thornton submitted a design
that pleased both Washington and JEFF
ferson. the latter saying: 1T capu-
waited the eye and judgement of ALL"
The cornerstone Of this building was
laid on September is. 1893. with Ma
sonic ceremonies. and It Is said that
after the ceremony the assemblage
retired to an extensive booth where
they enjoyed barbecue feast"
The work Of making the city went
on. but It WAS not taken possession OF
by the authorities OF the nation until
October. 1900. when President John
Adams and his cabinet and clerks
moved to Washington.
General Washington. who had Sc
lected the site. who had pushed the
building In every way in his power.
and who was intensely interested In
the project. did not live to see the full
f1llment OF his desires-its occupation
by the ruling authorities; he having
passed away In December. 1899.