Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-04-12
Mount Vernon.

There is now reason not FOR hope, bnt for
joyful belief that Mount Vernon, with the
mansion and tomb of the "Fethor Of his
Country" and the grounds ballowed by bis
Youthful sports and labois, and his retirement
to thoir ruin. eh-flnp in .,tJ- --.-i r--'i~
FULL is to become the property Of the Nation
to be hedCrd around against the assaults
Of time and the elements. and mole place
Of pilgrimage to the patriotism Of the Union.
1t is a matter of shame that more than half
n century hes elapsed since The death OF
Washington. and. though the snhiect has
been repeatedly discussed. in Congress and
in State Legislatures, and the people would
At any moment have responded to its pnrs
chase hv Congress even ut the cost OF NIL
on dollars. nothing. until now, has been done
irving the slightest promise OF securing as
National properly the balowed home and
tomb Of Washington. Nay, worse ! that
venerated tomb has been suffered 20 60 TO
decav-the rude clements finding co.workere
in the vanGal hands Of visitors, who, like the
1conocIast practice mutilation for reverence.
Bot now work Of promise is begun; ana
il is such, because it is womaDs work.
Women are not only more patriotic than
men, but they combine with their patriotism
a pure and lofty enthusiasm, and an uncon.
,,uerable endurance. Of labor and suffering,
tn achieve whatever they attempt Seeing
that nothing was 10 be hored from the action
Of Congress or State LEGISLATURES. or indeed
from the male folk Of the Union-eXcept as
the elouuence Of women may attract or
shame them to subscribe TO the Ladies
Fund-the women Of the Union have taken
the matter of the purchase Of Mt. Vernon III
hand, which is to say. the women have decl-
ded to purchase the home end tomb ot WASH
ngton-reGnirinG only little time 10 make
payment therefore This patriotic women's
movement originated. we believe. (nnd very
properly in Virginia, The birth and hnriai
State Of Washington. But it originated in
no narrow exclusive spirit. From the first
it appealed to the women Of the whole conn
try-and they will respond. Indeed. that
its national character should he clearly de-
fined. it has taken under an incorporating act
Of the Virginia Legislature the title OF the
"Aount Feruon Ladies Association of Inc
Union"
The snm asked for Two hundred acres (tha
extent it is prnposed to Nnrchase) OF Mt.
Vernon place. including the mansion and
tomb Of Washington, by the present rro-
prietor, John A. Washington, is S2C0,C0O.
/ 'fhis is, of course, immensely beyond lis in.
/ Srinsic value: but Mr.. Washington thin ks,
/ perhaps that as lie nheri's none of tie viz
! tues Of his great namesake lie ought to he
/ aIiN'N ~ illdke tfNie NCulNuitil bht "a 'hN
national value given TO his property ny the
rppose thereon of that immortal namesaEe.
But price is not thing TO stand hiFgiing
about. in such matter rs this. Let John
! a Washington have 100000. so that tie
home and sepu'chre Of Washington hr he
nations The Treasurer Of Virginia is au-
,nGri2ed 10 receive Tor safe Keeping the
( moneys Of the Ladies' Association, . large
sum having aIreaiy been paid in. The act
/ Of incorporation assumes that the purchase
will be raid for within FIVE years. We donbt
not it will be paid in half that time, for what
American woman will refuse her mite TO this
gIorous fund. The act Of Incorporation
empowers the association TO charge fee,
rot exceeding twenty-five cents, for each
person lover ten years old) who may land at
Mt. Vernon. We hail with pride This patri.,
otic women's work, ond wish them god
speed unit it shall be accomptsbed.--N =.
Ercaing Mirror.