Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-29
The Purchase OF Mount Vernon

| For several years past movement. Original
| ting with n fair, fragile daughter of the
South. has been in progress. having for its
| object the purchase of the Home and Grave
| of WASHINGTON. Contending against the
| sneers and tests of the unmanly, the dis
couragemcnts Of the croakng. and the
doubts and fears so natural to the sex, the
noble sisterhood, who responded to her call.
| have already so far succeeded as To warrant
| the belief of final triumph. In all the
country, bnt one man alone has evinced
Willingness to dedicate any material portion
of his time and talents to the good work OF
the Mt Vernon Sisterhood. We allude to
the Hon. EDWARD EvERErr. BY his labors
the vast fund necessary to make the purchase
has been greatly diminished, leaving the
manning portion of the work comparatively
light. But. he docs not propose pause TO
his exertions. So long as adollar is wanting,
he is ready and willing to exert himself 10
obtain it, But this should not be. 1t would
confer immortal honor upon him To be the
chief instrument of the consccratiOn of the
peaceful shades of Mount Vernon. as a shrine
for the devotee of liberty and patriotism, to
worship at in all future time. But will not
the inquiry be made TO the latest generation
why il WAS that this great, this Herculean
ask-delightful though il he 10 him-was
laid upon his shoulders? Why was he per-
mitied Ia b ar OF all the honorsg We're the
other talented Sous of the nation - the
descendants of the men Of the revolution
less patriotic, less self-sacrihcing. less gener-
GUS than he? Could he. alone, of all of them,
appreciate the character, the noble attributes,
the fame, of the Father of his country? Had
the national Legislature no proper concep-
ton of the advantages of securing, through
after ages WAsHINGroN's dwelling and grave
to the contemplation of the people, whose
free institutions were won by his sacrifices
Had Virginia, the commonwealth which gave
him birth, and in whose bosom he sleeps, no
love for her son, whose name has shed undy-
ing luster upon her brow! Such questions
as these and the reflections they engender,
will come up, 10 the everlasting dishonor of
all whom they affect. God bless the Ladies,
they seem determined to do their part of the
good work, and will have no cause to blush.
But shame upon the manhood of the age
which has permitted them 10 toll aud struggle
for even twelve months in such cause!-
Thousands of men, like Mr.. EVERETT, should
have sprung up at their summons and gather
ed up the money instanter. They have not
done so. and we have no hope that they will
ever do so. The work win be accomplished
nevertheless. With their single champion,
the fair daughters of the country will come
of victorious. They have much to do, but
they have the patience, the perseverance, and
the resolution to carry them through. AS
often as they tire ana grow faint, they have
but TO scan with their minds eve the calm,
benign countenance of WAsHINGroN. majestic
almost as God's-an6 receive new vigor
and courage. Heaven he praised that in
this degenerate age of manhood, the women
Of the country stand out in bold relief. the
exemplars of all that is good. aud beautiful
and truei The country can never be wholly
corrupt and degenerate 20 long as they thus
remain.
The ladies of Shelbyviile have already
shown their appreciation Of the good work
But our Stale is still behind some Of her
sisters. Alabama, for instance has got ahead
of her In the amount of her contributions
THIS viii never do. Pat on your prettiest
smiles. dear ladies OF Shelbyville aud Bedford,
and increase your tribute treble, If necessary.
--Eq'ositor.