The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-16

Tar PURCHASE OF MOUNT vsRSoN-Nations
are proverbially ungrateful to their benefac-
tors. They commemorate their actions for the !
benefits which they have conferred Upon them,
but they care but little for the ind ividuals who
have sacrificed their time and their talents in |
their service II is true ths.t we hear occa-
sionaily Of a Marlborough or Wellington be- |
ing rewarded during thefr lives by gifts of pen
sions and titles, but they owe them rather to
their aristocratic and political connexions than
to the value of their military deeds. Such
heroes as Sir De Lacy Evans or Sir George
Brown will meet with nothing but cold neg
lect, whilst incapables, like Lord Raglan, are
promoted to niche in the Pantheon Of cele-
brities, and their families laden with proofs of
the discriminating bounty of those whose in
terests they have sacrificed by their blundsrs.
1t mus. not be imagined because our gov
eminent is republican that we are free from
This vice of iagratituse OF Che host Of public
mah who have risen to fame in our sesvice but
lew have reaped any substantial reward from
their lubefs. The greater the worth and the
talents of a statesman, the greater the reason,
scoorlink,to ovr'code q ,politicaa ethics, fc-
excluding him from the honors to which he
aapires, So twas with Clay, Calhoun, Web
ster and Scots, and 10 it will DO with the other
great ihteliects that'nay succeed them. 1t is
undeniable, that in this country of popular
government the prizes of political life are
bestowed with even less discrimination and
regard 10 personal merit than in despotic
States. We seem, in fact, afraid of the eleva-
ton Of men Of genius to positions in which
their talents might attain their highest sphere
of usefulness.
This is a curious feature in our political
idiosyacracy, but it is less remarkable than
the fact that we do not endeevor tosmake
compensation for it's injustice, by honoring
after death the memories Of the,men who have
rendered themselves illustrious by their patri-
otism. We cannot very we'll .flelp admitting
that we"are proud of them, for history has
taken out Of our hands the care of their repu-
tations; but we do not show by our actions
any particular appreciation Of their services
Look at the condition, for Instance, of almost
all the hallowed spots in which the remains Of
our Presidents repose, and answer, if we have
indeed any real sense of national pride. The
tomb ofWashington, as it now stands, is dis
grace to the country. 1t is a monument, not
of our affection and respect for the departed
hero, but Of our indifference to the vast services
which he rendered us, and to the contempt
which such culpable neglect must inspire
in other nations. If the decay to which
this precious mausoleum has been consigned
were to continue few years longer, there
would not be a trace Of it left. The brick
work which supports the sarcophagi of the
General and his wife are fast crumbling away,
and the latter will soon be left to find on the
damp earth ready agents of decomposition
The tomb Of Harrison, at North Bend, is said to
be in similar state; whilst that Of Jefferson, at
Monticello, is like the mansion in which he lived
Madison n Sa nHSS s Ths Of
gushing mark for the eye,As the stranger;
and Monroe's@occupies a corner in an obscure
graveyard in this city-unkpown unvisited,
and unhonosed.
Such is the way we have of ananifesting our
reverence for the memories Of our departed
patriots. And yet when the son of Clay
contemplates making some Allegations in his
ancestral residence in Kentucky, rendered ne
cessary by it's dilapidated condition, we have
the hardihood to accuse him of sscrilege in
venturing to disturb the remains ef his IA
TIERS house. The reIroash comes worthily
from those who, having reaped the benefit of
the labors of political men, grudge the paltry
contribution which would rescue these precious
monuments from innovation or decay.
reproach-at least go far as the tomb Of Wash
ington is concerned; but they want that spirit |
and spontaniety which should mark SO impor-
tant o movement The purchase for the no
tion of that beautiful and ever to be honored
spot in which rest the remains Of the greatest
and purest patriot that the world has ever pro-
duced should not be left to the we'll meant
but feeble efforts of few Southern and North
ern ladies. If Virginia does not feel interest
ed enough in the matter to take the entire cost
Of this purchase upon her own shoulders, an
appropriation for the purpose should be made |
by Congress, or more fifty still, national SUBJ
scription should be opened for it throughout |
the Union, to commence and finish on the same |
day. There is an historical justice in this lat |
ter course which leads us to prefer it. Is there
patriotism enough amongst us to accomplish
this act Of retribution, without overtaxing our
energies or our irclinationsg
THE DEMOCRATIC WHO'S IN MoTIoN-WHIG
Fusion MovEMENTs-As they sing at some of
the camp meetings in the srural districts
Let the earth add skies resound:
The dead's ayt-the lost is found!
The democratic wing party" is resurrected,
and is out again. We have a call from the
"Demo cratic Wing General Committee" of this
city, signed by William Hall, chairman, and
dated Broadway House, New York, Aug. IS,
1855, appointing the city whig primary cleo