Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-01-06
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

MOUNT VERNON.

MOUNT VERNON.
1t Is told of New England Manufacturer, tia! on con-
templung the Falls Of Niagara for the fret time he eS'
claimed with mingled indignation and regret "whaI waste
of power" This had eye for tie grandeur Of
the scene; no soul for tho perception e 'ts suomY
hs eur there wos no music in Of tho cataract 10 his
eye beauty n the curling foam and rainbow tinted spray
Hs possessed OF ono absorbing thought and the spirit
of tho place could make no impression his dull nsensae
nature The scene could suggest to his fancy nought but
sions of mooness wheels and silent spndles ED could
provoke from his mind no higher reeccE than an ndig.
nant potes, against so idle expenditure Of waer pow
or"
An ur,ics 10 The Wig OF yesterday revived our rscoec-
ton of this story of the yankee miller morsIzpg by the
Fas Of Niagara.
For some lime past there has been rumor OF the sale Of
houNT VERNON 10 company OF Northern speculators-
Anxious protect the TOMB OF WAaHIsoTos from desecra-
tion Gov Johnson suggested in his the prorety
of It's purchase by the State Of Virginia Until we saw the
hg Of yesterday impression tina, tho PROPOSE.
lion had met with universal favor thad encountered DO
opposition The legislature and had been warmly approved
BY the press Of the State. with no little surprise,
therefore, that read the following article IN the Wig:
MOUNT VERNON.
In this age when there are 30 many eager compeors er
glory and 80 little OF the genuine article in market might
seera unchartabc to scrunizs too closely the various e.
forts that made win H. On this account we have for
borne Rnimadvsf upon at eXPeden which our ad.
mirable little Gcverncr adopted In his message when he
sought steal march upon his contemporaries and take
oish the temple Of fune by nsne his name with aal
OF Washington. We have no objection whatever 10 MS
eaping all the which his heart covets in that re-
gard; ashingon is capable OF beariog him. anu many
more greater ponderosiy the latest postery without
the slightest tninuton OF hs own Intrinsic glory bul We
are opposed emphatcay and una!teraby 10 the pepeFa-
ton of an sareoious folly and the saddng the state WIN
of s20OOOO under The prelext OF dong honor 10 m
who is far above all human honor Virginia Legislature
of 1854 jBrisnder General Pierce Of New Hampshire Pre-
sden of the United Staes conerrng honor upon george
Washlnston by giving for goo acres Of the poorest
land within the limits Of the Sate Ys Gods and little fishes
But Washington stand that and bear TO future ages the
Legislature we'll the Gover@r We trust however tha'
the Legislature will be content with The manifestation o!
willingness 10 perpeua,c the folly wiou, actually doing It,
The people Of Virginia are In no condition 10 lhto" away
1000 for any such They have many vast
works of improvement, and many unlctteed men among
he and growing up that need the ad Of every coni
the treasury can spare. Washington himself aye woud
spun propositions for with all his greatness ne was
Raj suupose The State should buy this 200 acres Of sterile
would she do 5 %'h it, uke a
or 10 10 housand dollars year take care Of III or give it
TO the Agricultural Society," as has been suggested 10 make
wholly unfit I,s situation would be objectionable and then
It's sterliy and physical coniomaon!s surface present.
Ing series Of upurned be an nsnpefIoe oar
10 any successful experiments With all Na5hnetons pac
tical WISDOM industry and economy was never pro!Ia-
be-what would prove in these hgh.tamlng times we
experimental j. the society might be speedily bank
rupted. .
But some fear tina, may pass the hands of North
ern company; prevent such lasting disgrace we arc
told ''now is the last chance-once twice, three-speas
quick Old Virginia you dsgraccd ioreVeT-tnee
times-gone" The Yankees have Ill Well lei them haTe H.
If the proprietor after selling remains in the State the state
will be nearly $500 000 richer than she wds before AND
could get the price for all The rest OF The lands In
the Commonwealth II would not be bad bargain 10 sell ou
stock, lock and barrel.
and such members may have his
glory seeking proposition have won glory enough
he thele-and leaye 10 The heats o. gIatetu
Now we take this 10 be essentially perverted view OF
the proposition Gov Johnson did not recommend The pur
chase of Mount Vernon as profitable Investment Of The
public money His chief aim was to secure to Virginia Inc
nossssson and custody OF the tomb Of Washington and 10
This design every consideration OF utility was subordinate
He spoke and felt Vrgnian svcous Tor the honor OF
the State and patriot jealous oil the memory Oh WASH
lsaToS His recommendation was The expression ot no.
BILE sentinen and not the sodd calculation of man anx-
ious only for profitable outlay And notwithstanding the
protest of the Wing, believe he spoke the sentiments oi
the people of Virginia Ii may be that an investment Of
5000 600 In the stock OF bank or plank ROAD would ye
larger pcr cent but we doubt II this advantage of profit
would persuade The people 70 prefer such an Investment 10
the purchase of oun. Vernon The appetite for gain is not
the only impulse which determines The popular WILL Inc
public mind susceptible OF uober and otier aspirations
and il is 10 such that the Governo, gives expression
In hIs messuge The Whig views The matter In q
different relation, and regards The proposition Tor
the purchase of Mount Vernon simply as qucs-
ton OF dollars and cens. II manifests no suscep'
,ibity TO those generous and lofty feelings which the
very name of WAsHSoroN is wont 10 inspire, while II cccy
calculates The value Of his bones und In mockng spirit,
reproachss the patriot who would sacrifice something al Inc
tomb OF the Father OF his Country We are ayese 10
lavish expenditure Of the public money bull we nave no
tGo
sympathy with the economy lnculcaed ~ he hhs' "o
beIeyc that an expenditure which graes the nobes aSp
r.,ons Of the soul Is as good economy outlay on
vo,ks of internal impro emen I! Is we'll occasionally TO
pause In osr eager pursuit of physical and from our
abundance apart some tribute to the virtues OF human
nature