The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-12

ing the river. It's ample dimensions strike you at
once, and you picture in your mind the home of the
Virginia planter, built with an eye ever wakefu' to
the demands Of hospitality. row of heavy wooden
Corinthian columns fronts the house and help to sup
| port the overshadowing roof, the lawn is clean
shaver, and glisteniDg through the tree tops the
Potomac may be seen, either up or down the river
AS you enter the hall, the furniture which belong
ed TO Washington may be arranged at the side.
There is his venerated armchair, with leaf upon
which he wrote and the sitting room chairs and Ia
bes. But the crowd hurres you on hastily through
the two small rooms which alone are thrown opeu to
! the public, and you have but glimpse of the pic
lures which were his the furniture which he priced.
You dare not even imagine that there is an article
which is not rendered sacred by the touch Of his
hand, and you would fain tarry to indulge in the re-
verie which this consecrated spot must force upon
every thoughtful man. Bot as upon the occasion of
the visit of the National Guard you have no time to
lnger, you continue the route and pass out OF the
back door on which there is ancient brass knock
err From the back stoop the outbuildngs may be
seen, ranging either side and connected with the
main building by hall ways. They are the residences
of the negro slaves employed on the plantation, and
are said to be in the same state as when he
left them. ALI the buildings seem to be in
good state of preservation. The mansion
looks strong enough to last century to come. This
is Mount Vernon as it appeared to the writer in the
hurried visit of but few moments on the occasion
of the visit of the Seventh regiment National Guard
on Friday last.
THE CEREMONIES AT THE TOMB
As the Guard passed up the walk each uncovered
his head and gazed upon the tomb in silence az he
| passed. Some stopped reverentially, and plucked
| blades of grass or wild flowers or little pebbles or
bits of the loose plastering, as mementoes OF the
SPOT haOwed to the citizens Of America. When each
| had taken passing view, the company formed in
semcircle about the tomb, the officers and citizens
being nearest and after an impressive silence the
stiffness was broken by the Mayor of Richmond.
| Mayor MAYO, in voice husky with emotion, said
| he had not expected to address them. He had been
born in Virginia, and yet for the first time in his life
he stood before the tomb of the Father Of his
Country. The occasion was such that he
could say nothing to them. They were now
upon ground that was sacred and halowed. 1t was
the common ground of every American citizen. 1t
was no longer property; it could not be property; it
was national. II became all American citizens to
come there as to the American Mecca All who
loved freedom, and wished to worship at the shrine
of liberty, should come there He could not address
them further, but would give way to another who
he knew would speak in more fitting terms than he
possibly could.
Rev. DR.. WESTON, the temporary chaplain Of the
regiment, then came forward and spoke as follows,
in clear and sonorous, yet affecting tone:-
NATIONAL GUARDs-I have been requested by
your respected officers to offer up prayer here at
this altar Of patriotism, but, before do go pro
pose to preface II with very few remarks This
has been rendered unnecessary by the touching and
eloquent appeal Of my friend who just preceded me-
1t was wen said, it was touchingly said, by some
| one, that Heaven left Washington chldless thai a
nation might call him Father. We from New York
come here to-day TO offer To his memory our filial
homage, and know there Is not heart present that
will not beat with the true accent and spirit OF
prayer. 49,
better soldiers better citizens better Chrisans-or
he whose ashes slumber there was our exemplar In
all these great tnings-a patriot incorruptle, MOI
, kings nor worlds could warp his steadfast mind. A
, soldier, as some one has said, Liberty alone un
sheathed his sword, necessity alone stained IL, and
. | victory alone returned IT,"
In respectful Difference we stand here today and q
voice seems To from out the sky like that which
awed the trembling Hebrew when he stood before the
burning bush: Put OF thy shoes from of thy feet
| the place xhereon thou standest Is holy ground
| Not only do we assemble here, but centuries after
shall have gone and ashes shall have mingled
| with the dust-the sons Of American freemcn viii
come from the shores Of the Atlantic and the muir
muring Pacific, from woody Maine and fowery
Florida. as patriots TO offer up their prayers upon
this consecrated altar Men who have met In anger,
and in the excitement Of political contests, will
remember here that they are brothers, and that
the great man who sleeps there knew no Mason Il
Dixons line no North nor South, nor East nor West
but his great heart embraced the whole country lie
belonged indeed, 10 humanity and To liberty every
where. Not only will millions Of Americans come
here to our Mecca, but they will come from distant
lands. The downtrodden upon whose neck the hee
Of the tyrant has been set-they will come here
too-and from those distant lands when their liber
ties are being coven down, and hope Is well nigh
gone, there viii come up a voice and prayer for
another Washington TO lead them on To victory and
10 freedom. God grant that the great example
that great man has lett 10 human liberty will not
be lost and that when the time shall come for that
final contest between liberty and despotism, there
may be future Washingtons 20 check men from dis
| honor and lead them ON 10 universal liberty.
The reverend gentleman closed with an appro
pirate prayer, and after a lingering glance at the
tomb, the company separated, and took the route
TO the mansion. Mr.. John A. Washington, nephew
Of the iustrious dead, the present owner Of the
tate, was on the ground, and was introduced TO the
principal persopages present. Under his guidance
those Who had not preceded, took the route 10 the
house Of Washington, and hastily observed the pro
minent objects Of interest. Mr. washngton's slaves
could be seen standing about, and not q few sold
canes and other mementoes 10 the visiters.
The steamboats, we're soon resumed, the whole
visit having occupied about an hour, and terminal
ing just as the shades of night were falling. The
hotels were reached shortly after ten, and after ne
cessary refreshment, the retired TO prepare fof
the early departure Of the morning, which had been
fixed for s AN.
| A MxxExro or MOUNT VERNON.
Mr.. j. Cutchett, proprietor Of a factory for the
manufacture Of mementoes Of the neighborhood Of
Mount Vernon, notified Col. Duryee, through Col
Hickey, that each member Of the Seventh would b.
presented by him with some article commemorative
Of the resting place Of the immortal Washington.
| MORE HOSPITALITY.
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