Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-01
Proposed Sale of Houut yer,o,

The New York Courier & Enquirer of the 18th
contains the following sensible and patriotic remarks
in regard to the rumored sale OF The Tomb Of Wash.
ington We sincerity trus, that Congress may pur-
chase the place and place it in the hands of commits.
toner's to be ornamented and preserved. The Courier
j. Enquirer says:
cit is reported that the present proprietor of Mount
Vernon, Mr.. John A. Washington, is negotiating the
sale of the estate with certain private individuals and
that he has agreed to surrender it for the Of two
hundred thousand dollars, sub ject, however 10 The
condition that Congress is to have the refusal OF the
property, and that application is to be made IN that
effect. 1t is said also that necessity alone drives Mr.
Washington TO relnquiSh property that has been 10
him but source of trouble and Impoverished, IN
consequence OF the constant pressure of visitors from
all parts of the world.
If these acts correctly stated, as Tea.
son to doubt, then Congress will have thrown upOnt
a responsibility that cannot be easily got rid O as
has heretofore been the case. We are not acquaEr
ed with the parties that wish 10 purchase Mount Yer.
non, with their objects in making the purchase
They may be good patriotic men who wish TO secure
from dissertation the tomb of the Father of his Coun.
try. But however noble and disinteresed their nten.
tons it is not to single private individual, or 10 a
company OF private capitalist but to the whole Amer
lean people that the sacred acres of Mount Vernon
ought to belong and doubt not that the voice ohc
people will soon MAKE itself heard when the question
Is brought up, demanding that this small but valuable
tract of land shall be purchased and made the proper
ty of the nation, if tdoes cost two hundred thou
sand dollars We we'll remember once sailing down
the Potomac in crowded steamer. filled with men and
women from every State and almost every nation
the merry laugh of youth was ringing gay round
the deck, mingled with the sound healed controversy,
for it was time when political excitement ragged iu'
riously through the land.
1.-The passengers were full of life and excitementj
but two sentences passed rapidly from 10 anohsI
-" Mount Vernon Tomb of WASHINGTON" aud
sudden change over the scene every eye turn
ed 10 the little white tomb that lies embowered trees
on the rivers bank and while the steamers bell tolls
forth lis requiem over the departed hero, one unIVe'
sal expression of Deep mournful interest gathered up
on the faces of that motley crowd. UnconscIously,
the soul of each man bowed before the spell OF NAV
sacred spot It was an involuntary exhibition OF lie
love and reverence that sleeps IN the breaS' OF eVe'y
true born American for the memory OF washington
"Now, shall we permit this holy spot OF ear'n-|
which patriots and phiIantbroplss OF ioTe'Sh lanu'
journey, as devout Islamites make pIIgnmaSeS 10 'n'
tomb Of their prophetic pass INTO the hahu0 VI p,
vate individuals, 10 be appropriated to snch purpose
as may suit their will and pleasure Snail We HYi
rather purchase it, and beautlfy and adorh IL @u'
make il worthy 10 be the last home OF The greats.
best and wisest of mankind? We do not kno" "D1'
difficulties may have heretofore prevented Inc Pn'
chase of Mount Vernon by our Government Oh" vi ~
der existing circumstance, the duty is too pam 10 az
nit of a doubt; and we believe, we hope, "'a'' -
it's next session, Congress will besow II PeCUa'
gift 10 the nation, to be preserved to all time as nv
mento of Washington, and a shrine TO when wv b
taries of human freedom may ever repair, 10 s'S"S
en- their faith and renew their VOWS.