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Commentary: J. Mark Powell - The bloody past of nation s Capitol J. Mark Powell FacebookTwitterEmail ‘We have built no temple but the Capitol. We consult no common oracle but the Constitution.” Those words, from former Massachusetts Sen. Rufus Choate, are inscribed on the wall of the U.S. Capitol the same walls desecrated by rioters who ransacked the building. For many Americans, seeing such acts of violence and vandalism occurring in the Capitol was something unimaginable. In fact, our civic “temple” has a surprisingly bloody history. It was still under construction when British troops seized it during the War of 1812. The Brits torched the structure, also destroying the U.S. Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, which were both housed there. Only a violent thunderstorm’s arrival put out the flames, thus sparing the original walls, which are incorporated in today’s building.

Puerto ricoUnited statesUnited kingdomSouth carolinaWhite houseDistrict of columbiaLibrary of congressRufus choatePreston brooksAndrew jacksonJohn gibsonJ mark powellEdward kennedySenate reception roomUs supreme courtMembers of congress