Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-06-24
From the New York Courier and Enquirer. June n
ProrosadE Sa1a of Mount uernnr

1t is reported that the present proprietor of
Mount Vernon, Mr.. DINA. Washington, is re-
gotiat ng the sale of theestate with certain pri-
indiydnals, and that he has agreed 10 surlen.
terjt forsthe sumo wo!hundred thousand dollars,
subject, however, TO the condition that Gong Fess
is to have the refusal The property, and that an
application is 10 be made 10 that effect 1t is said
also that necessity alore drives Mr.. Washington
to rellnquisli property that has been 10 him but
a source of trouble and impoverishment in conse-
querce oil the constant pressure of visitors, from
all parts oil the world. If these acts correctly
stated, as wesee reason TO dou thenG Congress
will have thrown upon it that can
not be SO easily got rid Of has heretofore been
The case. Weare not acquainted with eparties
that wish to purchase Mount Vernon, or with
their obiectsin making the purchase. They may
be good and patriotic men who wish to secure from
desecration the tomb of the Father of his Country.
But however noble and disinterested their nten-
lions, 1t IS not to single private individual, to
company of private capitalists, but TO the whole
American people that the sacred acres of Mount
Vernon ought to belong, AMI we doubt not that
lEevoice OF the people will soon make itself heard
when the question is broughtup, demanding that
this small but valuable tract of land shall be pur
chased and made the property of the nation, even
II 1t toes cost two hundred thousand dollars. We
well remember once sailing down-th Potomac
IN crowded steamer, filled with men and wemen
from every State and almost every nation-the
merry laugh of youth YVES ringing gaily sround the
deck, mingled with the heaity sound OF heated
controversy, for it was time W hen political ex-
citement ragged furiously through the land. The
passengers were full of life and excitement; but
two sentences passed rapidly from one 10 an
otler-"Mount Vernon! Tomb of WAsiiN6roN!''
and a sudden change came over the scene; every
eye turned to the little white tomb that lies en-
bowt red in trees on tho rivers bank, and while
the steamers bell tolled forth lis requiem over the
departed hero, one universal expression OF deep,
mournful interest gathered upon the faces Of that
motley crowd. Unconsciously the soul of each
man bowed before the spell of that sacred spot
1t was an involuntary exhibition of The love and
reverence that sleeps in the breast of every true
born American for the memory Of Washington.
Now, shall we permit this holy spoil of eatth--to
which patriots and phia nhropists of foreign lands
journey, as Gevout Islamites make pllgrimages to
the tomb of their prophetic pass into the hands
OF private individuals, 10 be appropriated 10 such
purposes as may suit their will and pleasure? Shall
we not rather purchase it, and beautify and adorn
it, and make it worthy to be the last home of the
greatest, best, and wi est of mankind? We do
not know what difficulties may have heretofore
prevented the purchase Of Mount Vernon by our
Governments but, under existing circumstances,
the duty is too plain TO admit of doubt, andwe
believe we hoPe that, at its next session, Con-
greSs will bestow it precious gift to lie nation,to
preserved for all time as melnento of Wash-
ington, and shrine TO which the votaries of hui
man freedom may ever repair to strengthen their
faith and renew their vows. e Sd