Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-02-03
TEE TOMB OF WASHINGTON.

For some time past disposition mas oeen
manifest in the public mind, that the Tomb OF
WAsHfScroN sboald be Ahs properly of the
Republic; and early in the present session Of
Congress a demonstration was made, TO au-
thorize on the part Of the government the pur-
chase Of what remains 10 possession OF the
first Of heroes, first Of patriots, aud the first
of presidents But The effort was in thin
House consigned to "rhe Tomb Of the Capu-
iets',--in other words laid upon the table
Under the Rules of the House, this is almost
inevitably conclusive of its fate; for tits there
---(not as in our local legisleture) IAN excep !
lion from the general rnlc, that a measure
once laid upon the table is again taken there
from.
A similar effort, with like abortive resul:,
was made a year or two siCce, as was then
understood, BY the concurrent plans of Pres
ident FtLLMoRE and Gen. ScorT, With the view
OF establishing there a home for disabled
and decayed officers and soldiers who had
done the Nation good service, but we're inca
pabe, by reason of age and intrtnitY. "again
70 brandsh the glit.ering steel in the field"
If the Nation claims the right % demand the
service Of her citizens land il that service is
required at the peril Of life, limb and health,
and at the certain sacrifice Of domestic com.
forts and honorable prospects in private life
then, surely. the least that can be expected
Of her 10 return for these exactions, is COM
Portable asylum for such as have encountered
the decrepitude OF war and the spoations of
time, in the public service. A fund sufficient
for this bene6cent purpose had been secured
BY the provident administration of affairs in
Mexico by Gen. SooTr. during the short peri
cd he was charged with the service, afte. the
conquest: and before the withdrawal of our
troops. And, for time, all eyes were direct
ed to Mount Vernou as the appropriate spot
for the location of this token of benignsnt
care. But the plan was frustrated by he ex-
orbitant demands of the proprietor; and au
other site was selected
Within few years past, more than at any
former period, the Home and Tomb of Wash
ington has been point Of popular attraction
Within that time, comparatively few visit the
National Capitol, without making pilgrim
age to Mount Vernon. When, two years
ago, Louis KossuTH repaired TO Washington
and received the homage of an admlrlng ma
ton, lie omitted to make a visit to Mt Yer
non; and this omission, though by an exiled
foreigner, and in the most rigorous season o
,nlHhSIl OiNNSub ApNh NpOh Wv NNlbHNN'
guest the severity Of Congressional aniulad
version. He corrected the omis sion, we be
lieve, by subsequent visit So very frequen
and numerous are these visits become-anC
SO rapidly are they multiplying, and destined
to be multiplied in all time to come, as 10 un
fit the place for the purposes of private resi-
dence, and to consecrate It retreat, sacret
10 patriotismI
No one, we are sure, who venera'es th
character and memory OF Washington, cal
visit the spot where reposed the Cheftan al
Ter the tolls of arduous and anxious cam
paigns-w where retired the Patriot Statesman
from the turmoils Of political coniiict--wher
centere1 the fond affections Of the Man ant
Husband and where are enshrued the ash
es Of the dead, without being sadly, mourn
fully impressed with the desire that the own
ership ofthat almost sacred spot may pass in
10 hands that viii rescne it from diapidatio
and ruin, and put and preserve it in condi
ton not to be a standing reproach to tn
countrymen of him whose name and ossocla
sions impart to the place its chief value
The tokens of dilapdation which, from ever
point. confront the visitor at Mount Vernon
should be made to give place TO cheerIu
HaObuli4tIko VI lIIhSllJ anu NV 'tC ~
disguised appeals ior clarity in the proffere
sale Of rude walking sticks by decrepit SCI
wants on the place should be suppressed
as in bad taste, and as contrasting mournfUll
with the hospitahlo munidcence Of him who's
fame brings purchasers for this commodity {
cheap, servie traffic. The mansion shoul
be kept With preservative care in its origin
proportions-the fields again enclosed by sui
stantial fences-the green-h house be re-bul'
and the garden be made again to blossom
its wonted beauty. These changes al
necessary, tc enable the visitor to reatize thi
he is in fact where was once the home
Washington. And to bring about these d.
sirable changes. it has been favorate ide
with many that the premises be purchased i
the General Government and appropriated
some suitable use Bntthus far all a,temp
of the sor! have been fruilless. l. is no
said that Virginia will not part with Il
jurisdiction" OF this farm Very we'll
Then let Virginia herself purchas'. posses
and retain these 40c acrer Of ground with a
the "jurisdietion" 'thereunto belonging; NJ
Go byit as in her sense of propriety she mi
Judge ft We are content, so :hat Americ
citizens D., free 10 visit the Tonnb and wa
over the BrCun h"u VIC iao nu0h 81
suggestion of the sage editor of the Nafion
IaisHi9sacey on The subject IN that pap
OF The sage editor Of the 30th December, Y
find the following:
A la'e number Of the Charleston hsrcu'
contains an earnest and glowing appeal 70 Il
Ladies Of the Southern States 10 come "a
ward and by combined effort raise. Tie :
quisle sum TO purchase Mounr Vrrnon.
It appears to us probable. however, th
the State Of Virginia viii ulumat'y purcha
this venerated residence Of the Fath Of
Country; and. since the failure Of the prop
siion ia Congress. we should by mea
regret such measure. We doubt, iudet
whether there would not be more fitness
its becoming the property OF his native s''
than that OF the Federal Government;
though we could not perceive any necess
for the latter's having Jurisdiction. as IL