Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-02

the ~ Of February. 1859.
To allay any doubts of the tinii on tie score 0
losses by interest money due seln annually We pieuS
lite payment in advance.
In conclusion, we can but state that our sense o
jusce makes realize that the public are, and eve
have been. unjust 10 Mr.. WAsHIsGroH. II the M
ton Gesires to have Mount Vernon as q nationa
shrine for its benef: and qualification, il is the ma
tons duty to make so, aud ro', pauperke. TO ash
il Of Mr.. WASHINGTON, M alna TO national sentiment
We know that Mr.. WASHINGTON had an opportunit.
10 rss,ze three hundred thousand dollars by prvat
gale and therefore, we fee! he has done his psrt b,
placing one hundred thousand the altar of-seuti
tneut We cow ak the nation to do iheira.
a SOUTHERN MATRON.
Pras't Of the Mt. Vernon Association OF The union.
JANUARY nth, 1865.
From 1.-THE South" January -. l-(By Request3
A REToRT COURTEOUS.
With us, it has been cardinal principle OF jour
na,ism to publish every communication which come
10 us from responsible quarter. and which il kel.
to attract an adequate share of public interest. Gu
only desire il 10 enlighten and inform the popula
mind by full fair and impartial discussion OF I'M
various subjects of social. political or economics
character which arise continually out ct the age ant
body OF tn. times. We do not arrogate the higf
prerogsve of establishing criterion for Our readers
We do not set up our own judgment as an lnfaili6!t
guide for others, however decided we may bs IN the
maintenance Of our hOnest convictions. On the con
trary are anxious always that the public shall see
both sides of every question, and have abundant Op
portunity and means of drawing their own conc!u
sinns. Ii matters not at all what may be thu sent
ments OF our correspondents; whether approving or
condemnng our peculiar opinions, We cheerully give
place TO their productions, provided they are not
couched in the language Of scurrous nveotlve or Go
not otherwise offend against the s,sbshed cauons o
good taste reserving the privilege in all cases OF
commenting upon such communications in becoming
term- OF criticism In the observance OF these rules
of editorial conduct We have heretofore encountered
embarrassments and but little Of personal annoy
ance. But the present occasion il somewhat snoma
lous, and imposes upon us exceedingly delicate
task the performance of which wa would fnin. 1t pos
sible, escape. The communication in another CO.
lumn, signed "a Southern Maron," purports to be a
reply to our article Of the 10th ins in which we co
sayed in the calmest and most in0ff-nsvs manner, 10
state reasons why the Legislature of Virginia should
not entertain the proposed application of the "Mouni
Vernon ASSOCIATION" for peculiarly ass stance.
The reader will see at glance and appreciate The
delcacy OF position. Here we are assaed III IN.
severest style of criticism, eIposed To ridlcue and
contempt. accused OF malicious fabrication. OF writing
"wthout reflection az without facts," Of willful mis-
representation, and of multitude Of other h-nOus
offences equally derogatory to the character "iH"ren
teman and scholar" These things we'll calcu
lated TO inspire spirit Of retaliation aud 10 provoke
All unamiste retort. But there's lady in the case
and all the instincts Of chivary forbid the employ
ment of offensive weapons on our part. We are con
strained 10 sot entirely oil the Defensive and are con
tent to refer the matter Of dispute To the bar OF pub
lie opinion relying solely Tor our complete Vindichon
upon the relative strength Of the arguments. Our
fair correspondent is mistaken in charitaby consgn
ing the alleged "iuaccurac;es' Of the article Uf the
10Th inst. to want Of reflection. She will permit US
to her that we never put pen 10 paper
merely TO crafty passing humor; but are always
conscious of some degree Of deliberate purpose. And
if there be subjec. about which we should be pre-
sumed to have accurate information il s this LOFTY
though inpracticsble" scheme for the purchase ut
Mount Yernon-fOr certainly no other prof let OF like
nature ever attracted tithe of the attention which
hes been bestowed upon il by the press and public
speakers of the country. As TO the charge Of gno
rance of facts, with the utmost Difference We beg
leave to remind "A Southern Alairon' thu. sic hes
not condeacended 10 designate the OF fact in
the statement Of our objections 70 Legislative aid in
ihs promotion OF her rnterpr;za.
True, the Mount E.rnon Association" was ia
clared to be, in humble Judgment the "vagary OF
an aIn:abs enthusiasm" "a beautiful bubble which
fsscnstes the public eye by the reflection Of the
generous and graceful impulses Of those who breahed
i, into existence" and in justification of oIr opinion,
we confidently appeal to the "appaing" difficulties
which, by tho confession Of our fair correspondent.
have always attended the enterprise. and the signif
cant fact which ia not conroverted, THAT alter two
three years exeron, under the most favorable au
spicee the Association have not succeeded In raising
tenth part Of the sum they require" But, this
evidence aside, ia not the proposal to the State an
acknowledgment, tho part Of The Association that
their schene, rs originally devised, has proved q
complete failure! The most beautiful AID attractive
feature in the design was the idea of voluntary con
tributions-that the American people, of their own
spontaneous accord moved by the noble impulses oil
patriotism ond grateful reverence for the memory OF
Washing, on-should unite IN the consecra;ed work.
Diyested Of this charm, no longer considered "a the
pure tatiou of the popular heart, it at oncs loses
il, browning attraction, and deserves 10 be char
actPr:Zpd
siasm.' But our fair correspondent evinces great
Indignation because we represented the "Aasocia
ton coming before the Legislature in forma pm.
peris. Mrs. Malaprop WAS scarcely more en-aged at
the "aspersoa Of her parts Of speech Ifihere was
anything in our language which conveyed The itn.
preston that VIZ intended TO depict the "Moun Yer.
non Association" As a combination of "psupcrs,
who suing the Legislature for relief We hunhiy
entreat their pardon. We meant nothing Of the kind;
and since our reviewer has such horror Of dead"
languages, We will state The proposition agan in ia
miliar vernacuar in order TO avoid the uss Of often
sive teohnicates To make a long story short, We
are utterly opposed under any and all circumstances
TO the proposition Of the Mount Vernon Association
as indicated by" Southern Matron." for pecuniary
assistance from the State treasury. II is useless TO
trouble I public with repetition Of The reasons OF
this opposition, especially there ia not the
probability OF the serious consideration of the cub
jec by the present Legislature.
As regards our structures upon the Conduct of the
proprietor OF the Mount Vernon estate regret that
the testimony furnished Us does not agree with our
correspondence estimate Of his character for generos
~ and patriotism. On the contrary. we learn from
the most reliable source that MIR. Washington pro.
posed to sell the place to General Scott for one hund
red thousand dollars, and that member of tho present
Legislature of'Virenia was made the medium of the
Offer Upon this point our fair correspondent has
been, we believe, very tgregiously misnforned. -
Somebody has doubtless imposed upon her "smisbie
In conclusion. We have only 10 say tha! in review
ing this Communications va have bean careful to OBJ
eerve due courtesy and respect towards the au'horess
We undertook the task with extreme reluctance and
aoely from sense of public duty AS it is fear
under the constraint ofstuded poteness, have i'm
parted to the subject an air Of mock gravity, and
Importance not exactly compatible it'll
dgnifed discussion.
We now take leave of the Mount Vernon Associs
tion protesting again. with all sncerity, that in.
tend no dspsragement of the fair patrons of the
terprise."