American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-09-18
From the Richmond Wing Sept. 8
PurChaSe Of Mount Vernon,


From the Richmond Wig Sept. 8.
ParchaSe Of Mount Vernon.
tits really a sad thing to witness the
strange lnkewarmness and apathy which
prevails here in Virgnia--the birth.
place and the resting place ofthe immvr.
tai Wasington-in reference to the pur-
chase of Mount Vernon! Other States
are nobly Coming up to the wnik, but
what is Virginia doiug2 Is she to stand
still and mo'ionless all the time, and lit
orally do nothing in aid of the glorious
enterprise which the ladies have so no.
bly, and generously 0igiua;edl We
appeal to the sons aud daughters Of the
good old mother of us all To start afresh
and right away, and rest not until the
hallowad object is accomplished. A
little effort on the part Of few active
persons in each county would soon
raise the sum required. and we beg such
TO lake the matter in hand at ONCE
The Nashville Banner contains an ap
peal on this subject. which applies as
we'll in this latitude as that. and which
we suhjoin, hoping il may have the ef
feet of stimulating all the friends Of the
enterprise to renewed and answering
sxertion in its behalf: ....
"Amoug the public enterprises of the
day, we think this one of tho most i'm
Portant. II is right and proper that we
should purchase the home Of Washing.
ton. and set ii apart as a sacred spot for.
evcr--to be an enduring evidence Of the
gratitude and love which The American
people bear The great and good man.
1t Is debt we owe his memory. With.
ont the least pecuniary reward, he de-
voted his life, his fortune and his talents
to the work Of laying the foundation Of
this great republican temple which shol-
tiers and protects us to-day, and it would
be shame for us now to withhold from
him this last testimonial of our gIai-
itude and regard. We might almos,
as we'll refuse tho body Of a father the
rights Of decent sepnlture, and stone
to>mark his resting place, as TO allow
the sacred duet of Washington to pass
into the possession of Strangers, and be
subject 70 dissertation.
LET us have Mount Vernon. Let
be purchased and set apart as a holy
aud hallowed spot. 1t will do us good
We have too much neglected our sacred
grounds. Our national character has
too little nt the romantic eiemen, about
i,--too little Of the polished gold aud
MAJ BILE Of fancy, with the iron and brass
Of all avaricious p,acIicabili,y. We
have not cultivated enough of that ro.
mantle attachment to tho scenes of our
early history, and the memory Of tho
men who acted in those scenes, which
we're so characteristic of the old rt,pub,
lies. Those names and places around
which cluster myriad associations and
recoIiections Of our national struggles
aud ,riumphs, cannot be too dearly cher.
ished in our aifeciious.
"To purchase Mount Vernon aud set
it apart as national institution will
have the effect of keeping fresh in our
minds Washington's example and coun.
scls, ~ which we cameo, 90 much
reverence. Aud there is peculiar
fo'ce in this romark at this time--a pc.
culiar appropriateness that the people
Ut this whole country should join in tho
purchase Of the home of their common
father. We are torn and rent By fac.
tons. Sectional animostes have well
nigh destroyed all national pride and af.
fections. Would it not be well then,
for them TO cease O moment from these
fierce contentious with each other and
reflect upon the last advice of their au-
cestOr What ever promises to keep
alive 10 the American heart the spirit of
the lie and writings Of Washington
should certainly be doue. and this we
think would be tho effect Of purchasing
his home aud keeping il forever as ua-
tioDal treasure.
"But thore is one other benefit tn be
derived fromtbo contamination Of this IN,
DETAILING, which we wish to notice
The example Of the great and good
cannot be kept too constantly aud TOO
prominently before the eyes 81 tie youth
of our county. Washington, above all
others, is tho nobleet model for thor
imitation. Let every thing DO done TO
inspire the young men Of Ametica in
this and oil socceodng agcs, viii 90 in.
tense reverence aud lOye for this great
model. Let them see The honots which
their country pays to The worthy dead
1.-The high rewards which are suro 10
(olIow a life Of heroic caJu and no bct