Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-07-13
Trip &c Mount Vernon.

of this city, a spot conseerated TO patriotism, and
haowed by the remains of one of the nobes citizens
to whom this country ever has given ever will give
birth. Mount Vernon is now the Mecca of America,
and the stranger, from all parts ofthe world, takes
pleasure in visiting the spot where the great Washing
ton lived and died.
! went with party of ladies' and gentlemen The
other day, 10 visit the tomb, where now repose the
ashes Of him whose vrtses have shed such ustre on
the character of his country, and whose memory mas
been SO strangely neglected. Our journey was by
land and the scenery was occasionally picturesque
ana beautiful. The deep foliage OF the forests, the
verture of the eds-the golden grain, and oc aslona
glmpses of the Potomac as we passed an opening
vista in the woods gave beauty to the landscape and
rendered the journey, IN no ordinary degree, delight
full We found the house and grounds in the most
delapidated condition There was no one at home
and could not obtain access to the interior of the
dwelling or the new tomb. The old vault was, how
ever open and runous, and into that found my way,
and obtained as trophy piece of the wood which
originally formed the outside of the coffin, and
which mean to preserve relic. l regretted to
see the walks covered with grass, and the garden
elected and disfgured with rank growth of weeds.
Every thing seems TO be rapidly verging to ruin.
The present owner is the widow of the nephew of
and the necessary keep the place in order II
struck that Congress should purchase this estate,
and erect on it Naval Asylum and Academy, for the
reception of inrm and disabled officers and the in
strucIion of midshipmen. Ii might then be kept in
proper order, and rendered useful.
As looked upon the humble sepulchre which con-
tans his body, Wondering into dust and recalled
all the tolls, privaons and sufferDgs he endured to
transmit to posterity the blessings of liberty and in
dependence, could avoid contrasting the patriot
ism Of that age with the col. beoded apathy and sell
fishness of the present.
In how short time is the memory of the greatest
benefactor forgotten u said one Of theast gcner
alton, who belonged to our party.
Forgotten! Washington never be forgotten"
he Observed" while virtue is revered patriotism
admired. When his counrymen TO veneratc
his memory then look upon the Republic as lost"
"Not at al" said young scribe of the present
generation" Washington did > more than others of
his own age, and not 50 much some who now live
Gen. Jackson is purer and greater man."
The revolutionary patriot locked al him with con-
tempt and horror and heaved sigh the ngratitude
and ignorance OF his countrymen.
"That they have forgotten the man, and disregard
his principles, is too apparent observed my old CON-
panion-" and the republic is rapidly vergng 10 ruin.
Opinions of a slavish character now prevail. The
grossest usurpatons-the most barefaced violations
of the Constitution and the laws, by the Executive,
are not only tolerated, but auded-a deep-rooted
se6shncss has taken the place of generous devotion
every man thinks he must be dut Caesar dut nulius-
man worship, and not principle, is the order Of the
day. With such opinions and feelings the Republic
cannot Standard few years fear will make my
prophecy a melancholy reality. What has been done
81 L.
nor the memory Of Washington, about whose services
and virtues they pirate much? That ruined tomb
contained his body for years after his death, and it
now reposes in one erected by his family; while Con-
gress erect ever the body Of every obscure member
who dies at the seat Of government stone tomb as
mark Of their respect TO his memory; and when
the people called upon TO contribute the smallest
sums to build monument to the memory of Wash
ngton, their veneration scant and their respect
and gratitude SO diminished that they either peremp-
orly refuse offer somes silly and disgracefu excuse
for net doing it. This fact have learned from a
member of society established in Washington, for
the purpose OF erecting great national monument to
the memory Of him, who was once esteemed the IA
thcr of his country, and their exertisns in this noble
undertaking rser the praise of every patriot and friend
| Of virtue in the naton.''
"Can that be fact r. said l." can there be n MAJ
IN this country utterly destitute Of all respect for
himse-so lost to all the nobler feelings -four nature
so indifferent, the honor OF kis country as 10 re-
fuse TO aid object intended to show our vencraon
for the memory of this great man. and to wipe off the
stigma of lngraudc from the nation -
4 "Yes-it is so. Men who owe every thing 10 his
dlsnterested exertions-feows who have grown rich
by his tolls, and who bask in the security and happl-
ness which he the great instrument of bestow
upon them-haye the meaness the soulless and con-
tempuble nggardlness to refuse even the small sum
of dollar for such object. An ex- governor and
senator of Rhode Island and a man Of weath-a
commissioner Of the General Land Olfice-the Mayor
OF Baltimore, and several members Of Congress
have refused. The whole state of New Hampshire
has contributed but 800 and Rhode Island but $40"
"Can it be possible" said I-"bu what can be
expected from state whose Governor is Isaac Hill;
what can we cxpec, from people, says DR.. John
SON. whose esd is monkey"
But old feelings and old sentiments are fast fading
away. The name Of Washington is leosing its charm,
and hrs memory 10 fading from the hearts of his coun
trymen Republics are proverbially ungratefu and
their necessary tendency is TO produce sel6shness.
The present generation is surprised at the orbearance
of Washington, and acc riding to culver, ascrbes
Il