American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-18
Mount Vernon.

A few days since made my pilgrimage to
Mount Vernon, the Mecca of every American
who. loves the Constitution Of the United
States-of every citizen of the Union who
knows the history of his country, and who feels
as an American should feel whose heart is in
the right place. In times bygone ! had passed
the hallowed home and resting place of the
greatest and best man (s' if man he might be
called" " that ever lived and murmured a
prayer to the Most High that his name, his
fame, his glory, his acts, and advice, might
never be forgotten by any descendant Of his
gallant associates. But had never trod before
the soil made sacred by his footsteps; never
before walked the pavement hallowed by his
stately march; never before seen and touched
the vault containing all that remains of the
Father Of our Country, the Father of, the Con-
sttution, the Father of the Union; for Wash
ington was the father, advocate, and friend of
all the early measures connected with the pro-
gress, wealth, greatness, and happiness Of this
mighty Republic. tIs.sE4 ati u a7gIgjbai.Gs,
No deyout Mussulman ever approached the
mauspleum Of his Prophet with more holy sem
sations than filled my heart, as 1 neared and
laid my hand on the sepulchre of him. q who
| was first in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts of his countrymen." The powers OF
| speech were hushed; utterance TO my feelings
was denied nae. 4 But thought, L felt o prayer,
| that his examples and advice might ever exert
| an influence over his countrymen, superior to
all that could or would endanger the perpetua-
tion of our dear1yiloved institutions: that trail
tors over all the land, enemies Of all we love,
might be made to know the errors Of their ways,
and to cease therefrom: that those who yilely
interfere with matters that concern them not
might be taught by" the higher law" that char
| ity should begin at home: that those who com
1plo NJ soia ryha ,ot ;xbf
become conscious of their happiness, and that
their threatened actions would lead to their own
ruin and that the Union and the Constitution
| might and would be preserved forever! My
heart was full to overfowing and l wept for
my few. erring and SHINING countrymen. tf
The Almighty God himself is the protector
Of this Republic! His hand is and has been
seen in every forward or progressive step.
Washington was his great instrument in the
early struggle for independence; in the forma-
ton of the Union, in the adoption of the Con-
stitution, and the complete organization Of the
most perfect, equitable and happy form Of
Government ever known to mortal-'tis all from
God and tits sacrilege, treason to oppose vio-
lently the decree, the will of Heaven. Sacri-
legious traitors can, may only hope for escape
from punishment through divine mercy and
charity. Let there be no more resistance to
the fat of Heaven in I" the land of the free and
home of the brave" May palsy still the tongue
and unnerye the arm that would be used to
say word or attempt to strike blow in the
cause of disunion! Qualification is treason,
and he who advocates its doctrines is a traitor,
and deserves to expiate his crime on the gall
lows" Liberty and Union, now and forever
one and inseparable." a.
A few words more and have DONE Mount
Vernon the loved home of Washington to the
day of his death is now in ruins / ask not
why-decay, dilapidation, and neglect are ap-
parent, evident beyond q doubt. This should
not be- and; with heart yelling DER with sor-
row for the fact, entreat, beseech my country
men, north, south, east and west all who love
the Union and Constitution-for they all adore
the memory and name of Washington-I beg
them all to unite in petitioning the next Con-
gress earnestly to purchase, at any price, the
Mount Vernon estate, the once happy home Of
our country's father. Let it belong to the
nation brought into existence by his existence;
let it be the property of the people let it be
placed in the care of one competent to improve,
ornament, and beautify it, as the home Of
Washington should be let the means be lib
orally furnished to make it q magnificent and
useful model farm, for the benefit of the ma
ton; let our agents in foreign lands be directed
to procure for it oil and every plant, seed,
shrub flower, tree, vine, fruit, vegetable, and
animal, for food, use, ornament, or worth in
any way; to be first attended to, used, or cul-
tivated carefully and scientifically on the Mount
Vernon national farm experimentally, and the
product distributed generally, of all that is
valuable, throughout the Republic.
Large offers have been made to the present
proprietor for the estate, by heartless, soulless
speculators, who would desecrate the sacred
spot by making racing grounds, bowling alleys,
gambling and drinking saloons, and other dis
graceful "things" for riotous and vulgar amuse-
ments. Permit it not The worthy proprietor,
who is the relative of Washington, refused with
dsdain oil offers from such sources but he
would sell it to the nation for national purposes.
Let it be purchased-care not, think not of the
cost no amount short of a million of dollars
would be objected to by the people, Of whom
, .a. [ AM ONE.
HEAVY DAMAGEs.--Elisha Ruckman has re-
covered $4,000 damages in suit for libel
against X. +. Lexow, reporter of the Police Ga
zette, in the Brooklyn City Court. The libel
consisted in having written and published a