The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-04-21
Mount Vernon.


the Life and Character of George Washing
ton. These efforts Of the distinguished
orator is spoken of by the press of Char
lesion and Columbia in terms Of the high
est commentator his rhetorical powers
and the magic effect OF his singular and
soul stirring eloqueuce, is said TO be beyond
conception. The theme of his discourse is
snch as points to the heart-it appeals to
the nobier impulses Of man, and Ameri-
cans Of every class and party who revere
the name and history Of their country
from North, South, East and West-may
join in a homage of vencration to the illus
trious Washington and mutually contribute
to scheme which is to pcrpetuatc his
name and memory.
The proceeds Of these lectures Of Mr..
Everett are placed at the disposal of the
Ladies Mount Vernon Association. lie
has already been the instrument of raising
over twenty thousand dollars for this great
and good canse and he continues 10 lee
ture with the same generous and liberal
purpose.
The purchase Of Mount Vernon by the
ladies Mount Vernon Association of the
Union" has nj length been al
though the necessary amount Of funds has
not been raised. The project has been in
contemplation for seven years, led Oh and
encouraged by the noble example Of "A
| Southern Mairon" The proprietor Of
Mount Verron, Mr.. John A. Washington.
refused to sell the property except to the
United States or the State of Virginia.
! The United States could not purchase for
the reason that Congress is not allowed by
the Constitution TO purchase land in n SOW
ereign State without the consent of the
State in whose domain the property lies. -
Virginia refused To cede TO Congress the
title If Mount Vernon. md she has like
wise refused, emphaticaly. by recent de-
cision of her legislature, to own the prop.
erty herself or TO purchase it in trust for the
ladies Mount Vernon Association Of the
Union," which, decision. il bv no means n
favorable indication of the patriotism of the
people of the Old Dominion, but rather "A
drgeneracy of that hanghty. vet noble an
ce,tral pride which characterized them in
years gone by. The "Sou,hern Matron,"
as the leader Of the American women in
this amiable project, was no, to be deferred
by this act Of the Virginia Legislature, and
siraightway she appeals again to Mr. Wnsh-
ington, with all the pathos and sentiment
OF which noble woman is capable in be-
half of noble object, urging him to agree
TO sale of the premises to the Ladies'
Mount Vernon Association" direct. This
was favorably received by Mr.. Washington
and the sale has been consummated, and the
Association is pledged for the payment of
the purchase money, the iaisiHg Of which
depends upon the patriotism Of the people
Will they disappont an expectation built
upon such foundation
We could not better asst the cause of
Mount Vernon, than by substituting for
anything we might say, the concluding por.
ton "fsthe Southern M,tron's letter to Mr..
Washington. Il any can read it and not
f.cl an interest in The subject, we should be-
constrained to believe that their patriotism
is nt q low ebb:
In your desire 10 procure for it n sacred
destlny-to place il beyond the contingent
cies "t time and change, inccparabIc from
private possessions. you have announ led
that you would only sell To the United
States, or To Virginia For seven Years
you have received advances which induced
you to believe that The Federal Government
or the State Intended to purchase. For
seven yenis you have awaited their final
decision, and the result is now before you
Have you not done all that consistency,
srif.rcspect. and ancestral pride require, in
furnishing these repeated opportunities TO
The State and nation, TO become po,sessors
and guardians Of the home and grave Of
your iilustrous ancestor Because one
cannot purchase and the other will not, will
YOU continue TO refuse the overture of par.
ties who pledge themselves to accomplish
the end in virw-bolh for The place and tie
nation d!
May we not hope that the events Of the
past year alone have been sufficient TO con-
vince you that the people cherish the mem.
ory of the father Oftheir country, and would
be the most proper guardians of his remains!
Over 'hc length and breadth of this land
there Is but one voice TO be heard, from
rock-bound New England, reverberating
over the plains OF New Mexico. and re-.ch.
oed from The golden gate Of California, that
as Washington belongs 10 the whole coun.
try, his grave should be the property Of the
nation. The nations representatives. have
nopower to make it so, and Virginia refuses
To do u herself, or TO aud others TO crafty
a nations yearning Yes! y nations yearn
ing, for the heart Of this great people has
been touched, and The old and the Young.
men, women and children, orators and states
men, Masons, &c, the children Of Wash.
ington, Of evcry elass-political, religious
and social-uniting in one common broth
erhoOd, pledge themselves and their descen.
dants, to she latest time, to guard the grave
OF their renowned father, whose memory a.
lone can have the power, while it remains
hrst in their hearts. TO bind them togc,h or
in bonds too strong to be severed.
In the name and on behalf Of the ladies'
Mount Vernon Association Of the Union
we now approach vou to renew our offer
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