The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-20
From the New York Courier and Enau;rsr. June II
Proposed Sale Of Mount Vernon.


1t is reported that the present proprietor Of
Mount Vernon, Mr.. John A. Washington, in ne.
gotatng the sale of the estate, with certain private
individuals, and that he has agreed to surrendet
it for the sum Of two hundred thousand dollars;
subject, however, to the condition that Congressis
60 have the refusal of the property, and that an
application is to be made to that effect 1t is said
als ale. mat necessity alone drives Mr.. Washington
to relinqush property that has been to him but
source of trouble and Impeachment, in conse.
quence of the constant pressure of visitors, from
all parts of the world. If these acts are correctly
stated, see no reason to doubt, then Congress
will have thrown upon it responsibility that can.
not be 30 easily got rid Of as has heretofore been
the case. We are not acquainted with the parties
that wish to PURCHASE Mount Vernon, or with
| their objects in making the purchase. They may
| be good and patriotic men who wish to secure
| from dissertation the tomb of the Father of his
| Country. But however noble and disinterested
their intentions, it is not to single private indi-
vidual, or to company of private capitalists, but
to the whole American people that the sacred acres
| of Mount Vernon ought to belong, and we doubt
| not that the voice of the people will soon make it.
| self heard when the question is brought up. de-
handing that this small but valuable tract of land
sha be purchased and made the property of the
| naton even if it does cost two hundred thousand
dollars. We we'll remember once sailing down
|
and women from every State and almost every
naton--the merry laugh of youth was ringing
| eaily round the deck, mingled with the sound Of
heated controversy, for it was time when politi-
cal excitement ragged furiously through the land.
| The passengers full of life and excitement;
| but two sentences passed rapidly from one to
another-"Moun Vernon! Tomb of WASHING.
TON !" and aesudden change came over the scene;
every eye turned to the little white tomb that lies
EMPOWERED in trees on the rivers bank, and while
the steamers bell toled forth it's requiem the
departed hero, one universal expression of deep,
mournful interest gathered upon the faces OF that
motley crowd. Unconsciousy 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 spot of earth-to
which patriots and philanthropists of foreign lands
| journey, devout Islamites make pilgrimages to
| the tomb Of their prophetic pass into the hands
of private individuals, to be appropriated to such
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 wisest of mankind? We
| do not know what difficulties may have heretofore
prevented the purchase of Mount Vernon by our
| Government; but, under existing circumstances,
the duty is too plain to admit Of a doubt, and we
| believe hope, that at its next session, Con-
gress will bestow it precious gift to the nation,
| TO be preserved for all time memento of Wash
| ington, and shrine to which the votaries of hu-
| man freedom may ever repair to strengthen their
| faith and renew their vows.