Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-02-04
The Purchase of Mount Vernon.

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Remarks Mr.. Savage of New York; in the Assembly,
his resolution urging upon representatives in Congress
to vote the purchase Of Mount Vernon by the Fedora
Government.
Mr.. SAVAGE, of New York. called up his res
olution, and said:-He earnestly hoped that
this resolution would be adopted by the House
without dissenting voice. The subject is one
of deep interest to every man who first drew has
breath on American soil. Sir, it was beautifully
said of Washington, that "God made him child
less that the nation might call him Father. -
Mount Vernon was his home, tits now his grave.
How fitting, then, is it that we, his children,
should be the owners of the homestead, and OF
our fathers sepulchre. No strangers money
should buy it, and no strangers hand should
drive the ploughshare over ashes sacred to eve
nv American. No mere individual is worthy to
be the owner of spot enriched with such hal
lowed memories That mortal remains of the
nations idol should not be subject to the whim,
caprice or cupidity of any man. These mem
orials are national and to the nation they should
belong; and it is the duty of every citizen to
guard them from violence and dishonor Sir,
no monument has ever been erected over the
grave of Washington. He needs none but that
which rises in majestic grandeur before the gaze
of the world, in the existence of this great Re-
public, with its millions of people rejoicing in
the light and liberty of free government. While
the stars and stripes waving above every capital,
shall symbolic our National Union, will any ask
where is the monument to Washington l be-
lieve, sir, that his name will prove more lasting
than marble or brass. When every structure
which flial love and gratitude may erect shall
have crumbled to dust, the fame of our patriot
father will still remain the theme of study and
admiration.
There has been but one Washington, and God
in His goodness gave him to us. Let us cher
ish his dust and revere his memory. Let us to-
gether own his venerable mansion and tomb.
Let the youth of our nation make pilgrimages
to the sacred spot, and slake the thirst of I'M
hallowed ambition at the we'll where Washing
ton was wont to draw; and when patriotism de-
clines, let the vestals of liberty rekindle the
fame at the freside of the nations sire. Thus,
sir, may we do much to keep alive, through
successive generations, that patriotic fire which
burns in the heart of every true American. Sir,
no man can read the life of Washington without
rising up from the task better man: nor can
freeman step with the sacred precincts OF
Mount Vernon, and not feel the power of those
associations which environ him. The troubled
sea of passion in his soul subsidies, and he seems
to hear voice whispering to his spirit, Peace,
be still, for Washington lies here" Who could
visit the farm of Washington and not experience
a new thrill of patriotism or who, without a
new incentive to love his country, could ramble
through that garden; stand in the hall where
heroes of the revolution were welcomed and re-
freshed; sit down in the library where Wash
ington studied and meditated, and behold the
chamber in which he slept and died?
Sir, am no prophet. But when from such
sacred memories as these, l turn to view the OPP
posite picture, the veil of futurity seems to be
lifted. l will suppose that this opportunity is
unimproved. That cherished inheritance which,
with characteristic patriotism, the family of
Washington now offer to their country, is for
feited to parsimony That family pass away,
and with it the last hope of securing this pecu-
liar treasure. The heritage enshrined in the
hearts of millions is the subject of speculation.
Mammon, the earth ruling demon, flaps his dark
wing over the consecrated spot, and dooms it to
his most accursed uses. 1t becomes the resort
of the idle, a den of gamblers and inebriates.
But, sir, forbear, l can pursue this picture no
further. If such Dissertation is to befall the
home and the grave of Washington, then let
that curtain fall which hides the future from my
view; that day Of shame l pray not to see.
1t needs no prophets eye to scan along the
line of time, the majestic outline of our nation 8
destiny, when the fruits of our free government
shall be more and more developed, until this
vast continent shall be peopled with freemen
from sea to sea when the fame of the nation
shall reach the farthest islands and shores-when
our star of empire radiant with the beams of
liberty, shall have grown to such magnitude as
to attract the eyes, and guide the steps of all
nations, and when some queen of Sheba shall
come over seas and continents to behold our
greatness and see the happy results Of the wis
dom of Washington-then, sir, will Mount YER
non be sought, and thousands now unborn, will
wish to kiss the earth which Graded, and which
now covers the Father of his Country. How
will we appear in that millennial day of our ma
TONS destiny, when, if it shall be truly recor-
ded, that the most sacred spot which God COM
mitted to our custody was thrown away sacri-
fee to parsimony, or some fashionable fine spun
theories, with which true patriotism has no
fellowship? Will not every American blush with
shame, and wish that he could cover from the
gaze of nations so dark blot on the page of
our history? ra
Sir, shall no spot be held sacred by Amer
leans ?-Have we no reverence for the symbols
Of departed greatness? True, there are monu-
ments at Bunker Hill and Baltimore; we have
here and there a national memento. The Gu
rious can yet trace the crumbling ramparts, and
the remains of hasty breastworks behind which
the stout hearts of our forefathers beat with
patriotic zeal, and over which they dealt dismay
and death to our enemies. But, sir, as we have
been reminded by our Governor, these memoir
ials, like ourselves, are fast passing away. Let
us then secure this honored patrimony. Let
Mount Vernon be the perpetual memento of our
country's great deliverer, and let the reverence
with which it is regarded, be the token Of our
gratitude. And when in ages hence, the banks
of the silver Potomac shall resound, as now, with
the bell of the passing vessel, uttering its tri-
butte to the memory of Washington, and the
flag at the masthead shall humbly droop, and
the mariner stand uncovered, in honor Of the
sacred spot; let future generations learn the
lesson Of gratitude, and patriotism, which these
tokens shall daily recite at Mount Vernon.
AN OVERHEARD CONVERSATION. - 10,
when you grow up, do you mean to be a
lawyer, or keep confectionery storey
havn't made up my mind, Tom, but ma
wants me to be minister 5.s.
~ Oh, don't be . minister, 10, for you can't
go to the circus then.' Is s79f q g''4i 50
Il know that Tom, but a minister, ma
says is the best profession. You know how
Mrs. Lovegrew adores Rev. Mr.. Prettyface,
and wouldn't you like to be adored, Tom .
Perhaps should, but then you can't
drive fast horses sst3sss
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