Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-04-25
MOIJST VERNON,

We observe that Mr.. Greeley, Of the n Y. Tribune,
has been visit to the home of our Paer PatrIir.
He must have been i'll melancholy mood, for he
shades his picture with the deepest nts giving us no,
one bright ray in the whole We regret to learn that
the damp location of the tomb has already had tho
effect of me-for it has not been many years since
it was erected We are pleased therefore, to be able
to apprze Mr.. Greeley aud the country generally that
the patriotic impulses which started the project
for the preserv alton Of Mount Vernon TO IFS only ap
proprate destiny, sacred solitude did mol forget eli
ther the beautiful sarcophagi, that they ought to be
placed in mausolpwm worthy of the Father Of his
country. We give our readers Horace Greeley's de.
scription Of the condition of Mount Vernon, asking
particular attention to what he says of the tomb and
the sarcophagi:
81 doubt whether five hundred dollars worth of
building fencing, repairing, renovating, have been
bestowed on the estate since General Washington
died. more than fifty six years ago. All the fences in
sight from the mansion in the last stage of decay
the plants and shrubbery have sadly fallen away
the negro huts are very tar gone ana the whole place
has an aspect of fororn neediness which no descrp
ton can adequately paint. Even the new and spa
cious brick umbthe contribution of patriotic and
opuent Philadelphian twenty-odd years ngo-is be-
ginning 10 crumble away, whether from faulty
structon or mere sympathy with all around, will
not say. The tasteful marble sarcophagl IN which
| repose the mortal remains OF George and Martha
Washington alone maintain their freshness; but let
| the protecting structure crunbe away, and they too
must yield to the tooth Of time. The woods, which
closely approach the tomb, are full OF fallen, decay
ing trees as well as tangled with brersi the SOL Of
the garden, and level untimbered grounds was eVl.
deuty once fertile and productive Dut now IS In
the last stages Of exhaustion and serty. lhe man.
sion which in good part WAS kindly thrown open to
usl is in little better presentations the carpets and
floor cloths are evidently those ON which the Father
Of his Country trod some paintings and engravnEs
which were familiar to him, still line the walls OF
room which was only opened to few OF u.s. the key
of the Bastle still hangs in the hail. with nm engrav-
ing of the stormng Of that dungeon oy 'ts side and
some other mementoes of the heroic days OF our re.
public, precious mainly from our CONSCIOUSNESS that
the nobIest American once regarded them As hls
own; but the house itself is old and faded: it sadly
needs paint and vigorous renovation, IN default OF
which 1t must soon pass away. IL lett 10 take It's
chance, doubt its continuing habltabe twenty-five
years longer"
We call the attention of the country and Mr.. Gree
ley, especially, to the following extract from letter
of the "Southern Matron," dated as far back as Fe
bruary 18th, lS54-some months before the organiza
ton of the present Mount Vernon Association took
nace and before abe forced to realize the fact
that there would be either organized or carried
o, unless sae did it herself The following the
closing remarks of her letter. addressed to the ladies
of Mobile, urging them to undertake the work
sour thoughts, our prayers will be with you We
sbal watch with heartfelt, unwearied interest every
movement of your infant organization, hoping to
witness its vigorous maturty-its crowned Its Joyous
it's glorious triumph! When, as pilgrims to the
shrine the daughters of the South approach Mount
Sernon and. with fearful eyes and quverlns l'ps'
excaim Father OF our country, we Are not inGrae-
We have won the resting place OF thy sacred ashes
sLe, them shall be the hour of triumph ana OF ,hnnk:
giving. The fearful and the unbeieyIng tell us inns
,e,H not BE- We fear not. For eren re may not re-
deem the Hall that echoed bis majestic tread, we
can. least. secure bis grave-cdn, al Least raise
over that loved, that hallowed spot tono bearing
his forever honored name, aud the assurance "t tne
uudying gratitude of womans heart We no h0s-
no American heart forget the tribute OF respect
offered long since by citizen of Philadelphia.-,
Many step has paused therei many an eye gased
long and reverenty on the sarcophagus which con-
tans the mortal relics of Washington, and on thar In
which rest those of the faithful partner OF his 'e!
should Virginia. indeed, proudly clasp within her 90
vereipnty the home, and the burial place ot her no.
best SON or another obtain precedence in the rght
of nossesson ere our plans ars ma'ured, stHhere
s nLnee for u.s. and for our tribute OF love-
Over tbs receptacle of all that is mortal OF the sage
tbs nntriot the hero can raise structure lofty,
nnrs. and beautiful-the admiration OF the stranger