The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-22


ais to those worthless who have performed
their public duties, and have no longer
power to reward their followers. In short,
the prevailing spirit Of the politicians Of
the present age is too selfish. Its chief
aim is personal advancement, and not ma
tional glory. Hence we see them directing
their attention almost exclusively to mea
sures having reference to some temporary
personal object, without once intermtting
their pursuit to pay debt of gratitude to
him who has no more power to promote
their views. Wewant in our public coun-
ellis little Of that spirit which, according
to the philosophy of the ancients, prompts
ia man to do virtuous action without
any reward except the qualification OF
virtuous feeling. A little real respect and
love for the country, mantesting itself in
a regard for the memory of its great men,
and scrupulous in guarding the nation from
the charge of meanness and ingratltude,
instead Of that boastful patriotism which
lis full of hollow professions of regard for
the country and the people, while it is
really working to defraud them Of their
cons titutional privileges.
Our politicians are too busy in engrossing
the rewards of public service, or in eleva-
ting, by groveling intrigue, some party
candidate 10 office, to cast a thought upon
tn. neglected shades of Mount Vernon.
Under his own paternal groves, the ashes
of our hero rest would could add, as
secure from violation arising from the
,cupidity of man, as from any disturbance
caused by the gratitude of his countrymen.
A short time only has elapsed since the
sanctity of his tomb was violated, and the
corpse of Lund Washington taken out by
mistake for the coffin of the general. The
gardener Of Judge Washington, an English
man. knowing the curiosity Of his coun-
trymen, broke into the vault for the pur-
Pose Of carrying the body of the General
to England as show. Fortunately he wa.
detected in the execution Of his sacrile-
gious design; but suppose for moment
that he had succeeded in his attempt, and
the corpse Of Washington had been expos
ed to the brutal curiosity Of an English
mob-what would have been the sentiment
Of the nation-of the high minded people
Of the countrys speak not Of the pro-
fessed politicians and party hacks-they
would have found consolation, as they al
ways have found it in every moment of ma
tional modification and disgrace, in some
scheme to shift off the blame upon their
opponents and in the prosecution of their
party measures, they would have forgotten
the indelib.e disgrace Of the republic. But
what would have been the feelings Of the
people--of those who love their country
because of its institutions. and because il
is their own, and not because it affords
them power and proft-when they should
have heard that the body of Washington
was exposed as shilling show to the Brit,
ish peoples Or, suppose, what might have
happened, Nor that nation has the magma
nimity to admire greatness even in foe,
that the British government had taken th'
corpse from its po.sessors, and deposited
it in Westminster Abbey, under magni
6cent monument with this inscription :
i" Here lies George Washington. the foun
der Of the American Republic his ashe
are here deposited, with those honour
which they had not received in his natv
country" How should we have borne thi
deep disgrace! What expense should W
have not willingly incurred to wipe it ava
to bring back that unsulied nationa
character, which is the best, nay, the onl
safeguard Of republic? When that
E lost, but little is left worth contendin
for; and the spirit, and affection, and pri,i
of the people, the sole dependence OF tn
government in moments of extremity, al
gone forever.
: The disgrace and gnominy to which "
: were then exposed, by very culpable n
. glect. should animate US instantly to repa
our fault; we yet have it in our power :
i Mount Vernon is still the property of Il
: Washington mily-from which it nev,
J. should go, except into the possession of Il
. nation. Congress ought to make provisc
e for its purchase and, turning its grow
l. and gardens into public walk, accessib
a. to all who might feel desire to visit 4
last resting place of the father of his oou
re try, should convince the world that o
rs republic is not unmindful Of his mem
'e ry.
ic From the New York Statesman.
hf Notice of Fixb that fell fron the atrnoenh,