Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-16
MR.. ANDREW H. Ii. DAWSON'S GRAFTON
IN BEHALF OF THE MOUNT VERNON
ASSOCIATJON

men's. veil worthy of consideration by tho men, ma.
irons and madens of Virginia 1t is to be regretted
that 1t was pronounced under very unfavorabe cir.
cums!ances. Mr.. d. ives seriously uuwelI, and i,
was plainly perceivabs he was euffsring during the
whole time of its delivery. And beside, the address
was marred by fault, not usually chargeable upon
popular oraions it was too crowded with thoughts,
demanding closer attention and greater patience
than this fest age" is generally willing 10 gve.--
ltperhaps thus failed to make az profound all impress.
sion upon the minds of some, as its massive merits
deserved. Yet, the large audience were sufficiently
held to give their earnest attention. More than usual
power il needed, thus to bind Richmond auditory.
We venture to furnish brief synopsis of this con.
vncing argument and appeal in order to concentrate
is points for the reconsideration of those who kc..d
It, and for the qualification and instruction of those
who were not so fortunate.
Gracefully introducing his theme, by comparison
of the results OF Casars triumphs with those inaupu-
rated by Washington by allusion to the reverence
everywhere cherished for his name, Mr. D. proceeded
to speak in glowing euogy of his character virtues
and achievements Naturally he reverted to Mount
Vernon so associated in the minds of the people with
the life and deeds of Washington. Among these as.
sociaons, he thus touchngy referred to the custo.
mary prayers of Washington, in that dear home {:
"In the prayers that from that ingle side altar as.
cended, 30 oft from hs pure lips to, Our Father in
Heaven, for hls country-our country you-your
children-your chdren's children and their descen-
dants, to the latest generation of feemen who are to
be dweers in this land benign benedictions were in.
voked, ct natl ndtorum ct qai naseentur d6 Ws.-
How unutteraby sacred that spot ought to be to eve
ry American heart. How pregnant with potential
awe are the mighty memories which cluster around
1t. From thence it was those nvocatons went up,
Heavens answer to which sent the glad tdngs of po
iitical regeneration resounding round the world
What other scene known to the history of the human
race, equals in its moral submity the spectacle made
then at Mount Vernon, of Washington at prayer1 =
court is in session, and it is the court OF
Heaven. cause is progressing; sndi is nations
cause. The advocate, is pstriot-Ths judge, Jeho.
vah-The complaint, oppression-The Decree ress
tance-1he consequence, Revouton-The result
Liberty"
He then referred to the anomalous and humiliatine
fact, that among the tombs of the great heroes o
earh that of Washington alone, is private proper
t." He spoke of the possibility of its being brought
into the market, and perhaps sold to foreigner
avsrce might turn it into a bear garden, aud whose
strange accents might bid the patriot pilgrim from
it's soil. He insisted that gratitude demanded iti
from the possibility of deseoraton of any kind
"Here," said he, "is tax sought to be levied upon
the gratitude and national pride of the American
people, By the legislation Of events. It's prompt pay
ment is pressed by q crsis-a crisis, the issues OF
which TO involve the loss preservation of the
honor Of an enlightened nation. Now am I to be
met with the answer You have no authority, sir to
levy such tax, no egal power wherewith to enforce
its payment Can those be found capable Of reply.
ing to such call, you cannot compel me to give
anything! My reply to such msgnanmous patriots
would be, Washington was not drafted; but
when he was not compelled to serve his country, did
nevertheless, volunteer to do it. But cannot be-
lieve that, because forsooth, we control no compu
sorry process cannot file petition, enter up ijldg
nent, issue f ia, and make O levy We must
therefore, fail"
Ho"p"i." - Al r-nrose; IN convert Mount Vernon
into National Cemetery-s grand American West
minister Abbey-where tbs honored Of the nation might
sleep together after lifes tful fever and Of the in
huence which auch an ambition might eIer. over the
energies, valor patriotism of the living, citing
among The many illustrations the aspiring war cry o.
Nelson,
Victory, or Westminster Abbey!"
Mr.. Dawson then stated strongly the objections
that were urged against this scheme, and gave the
answer 10 them all.
II the price demanded is above the intrinsic value
of the property, It asks no larger contribution from
each than each ought to be ready to give if 1t were
less. If were too much to ask, it is not TOO much
for great nation TO give 1t may require labor
to gather but not larger contributions from indivdu-
ais.
After dwelling in eloquent term, upon the litteness
and avace that, the grave of Washington would
handy words about it's value, he proceeded to meet
the objection that the plan was projected, and is fos
tered by woman. He deemed it the most hopeful
feature OF the scheme, and said:
"But its origin is feminine. That true, and az an
American citizen my heart eIuts with pride alike
over the fact that our country has produced woman
capable Of conceiving thought of suoh infinite mo.
raj grandeur, and thousands Of women equally caps
BILE of apprscating such thought. There is in 1t
the germs of counry's salvation Like the auroral
beauties Of the god of day break through the tagging
mists of the morning, It's redempve effugence fash
es through the lurid haze of that preudce in which
party chickering's and oecona strife would fain ahrond
the dearest hopes Of mankind Over the green sward
of Mount Vernon, beautiful rs the feet of angels upon
the mountain comes is spangling coruscations, trip
ping like winged wavslets futtering Ger an ideal sss.
Its promises are prosperity, happiness and honor
Amid the tful pauses of Fanaticsms 6srcest blasts,
it's silver voice s heard whispering In tones sweeter
than the music of an angels harp, Peace, be STILL
1t points TO the nvioable spot where he who lousd
all sleeps his last sleep and counsels us to meet
there raternaly together to bow there dsvo;onally,
to part there affectonatey. and often as we are
threatened with internal dssensions 10 return there
as frequently. 1t has already electrified a hems
phere and interviewer the sympathies of millions Of
sranger Already have the lips Of millions repeated
the involuntary exclamation, God bless Southern
Matron'-and down the tide Of time that coy nom de
plume, is destined with the name of Washington, to
Roll, minging with HIS fame forever"
Numerous instances were adduced in which woman
had originated measures of great practical utility,
and sustained them with courage, energy and per.
severance that masculine powers had eIcelIed.
He insisted that womans patriotism was a, enduring,
intense and purer than mans, and he oopiously H.
lustrated the position from the pages of history. He
contended that woman is disinterested less sell
fahly egotistc that man. and that therefore the work
was in the best hands.
We have thus given very imperfect sketch of the
general line of thought of this admirable address,
We cannot doubt, that measure, even of 80 great
magnitude, thus pleaded for by woman, and defend.
ed BY such champions as Everett and Yancey and
Dawson will prove successful if Legislature will
but graft the temporary encouragement that issough
FROM NEW MEXICO.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. l3.-Santa Fs dates are of the 10Th
Business was brisk. The Legislature had adjourned
gold mine had been discovered in the vicinity Of
Fort Fillmore. There had been no overt act of hos.
tty on the part Of the Utah Indians. but the Nor.
mona were evidently tamperng with them.
The Santa Fe Gazette advocates the rasiag Of
regiment of mounted rifemen for an expedition, sta.
ting that q march could be made from there 10 Salt