Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-04-30

=" "onihS eon, hiS pioptIty vi tne neptune,
bad been executed and delivered. 1t now re-
mains to raise the means to fulfil its condi-
lions. The work is no greater than it is good,
and we trust that Tennessee, at least, viii not
be tardy in contributing her full share in the
noble and patriotic cause. In dropping her
anonym. the noble-hearted lady President of
the Association, has yielded none of her mod
esty, but has consented to the wish, not only
. Of Mr.. EVERETT and other friends" but the
universal desire of her fair cOuntry-women
and patriotic countrymen. They have felt,
not to use harsh expression on a subject so
delicate and gentle and noble. that they have
been, to some extent, cheated of the bestowal
Of that respect, love and homage due to the
virtues and the high-born nature Of Miss CUN-
SINGHAM. While WASHINGTON was the crea-
tor of the Republic, we hail her as the living
and exponent of the nations
gratitude and reverence.
MOUNT VERNON, THE PROPERTY OF THE
NATION
1t is with feelings of the highest gratifca-
ton we announce 10 the public, that the per-
severing efforts of the Ladies' Mount Vernon
Association of the Union, have been crowned
with success commensurate with their sacred
aims and lofty patriotism. and that they have
at last secured to the American people the
privilege of making the Home and Grave OF
Washington the property of the Nation
On the failure of the Mount Vernon bill IN
the General Assembly of Virginia, we renew
cd our overtures TO Mr.. Washington to sell the
property to the Association. These overtures
met with a favorable response, and on the 9th
of April a contract was signed by Mr.. Wash
ington, which obliged him to transfer Mount
Vernon to the Association. on It's compliance
with the following terms, viz:
The payment of two hundred thousand dol
lars for two hundred acres of land, including
the mansion, gardens, landing place, ana ABOVE
all the tomb.
Eighteen thousand dollars TO be paid on
closing of the contract, and the remainder of the
sum. in four bonds, payable in yearly install
ments, with the permission. after payment Of
the first bond, to pay Mr.. Washington any
mount of the balance due, in sums OF not less
than five thousand dollars, which sums will be
credited to the Association; in this mannec
lCssening the interest.
The title to the estate and possession to be
given on payment of the principal and inter-
est; and the privilege also granted of obtain
ing possession. on thirty days notice at any
time the association may be ready TO furnish the en-
tire purchase money!
The prce asked for Mount Vernon by its
proprietor, and which has never varied, has
long been known to the public. and the La
dies of the Mount Vernon Association, in of
fering to become lis purchasers could not en-
peel to acquire ii upon other terms than those
given as the ultimatum, TO Congress and to
Virginia.
Yet there is a concession made to the Asso-
az, l,xrM WaSlinntnn DC IN tho
sion of time; and a very important proriso, to
save interest, which can best be explained by
the following letter addressed to the legal gen.
tlcmen who negotiated the purchase on behalf
of the Association
RICHMOND, April T. 1857.
To Vim. H. Mactarland Esq. and Gen. A. a.
Chapman:
GENTLEMEN-In the negotiations you have
recently concluded with me, on behalf of the
Ladies' Association for the purchase of Mount
Vernon. the payment of interest on the de
ferred instalments from the date of the con-
tract, while | retained possession of the prop
erty, was the only serious difficulty between
us.
Having satisfied you that | could not yield
this point, you finally conceded it.
As the contract is now closed, and believe
in satisfactory way to both parties. ii affords
ation meets its engagements with me on the
first of January, 1853, and thinks proper to
pay, aud does pay the other deferred install
ments on or before the 22d day of February,
1859. as you inform me they will probably be
both willing and able 10 do, it is my inten-
ton, in that case, to remit to the Association
all the interest on the deferred payments.
This sh" u be fn wiling to do partly as an
session of Mount Vernon at an early day, but
more particularly as an evidence of my appre-
citation of the motives that have actuated the
Ladies' Association in the cause il has under
taken.
l have the honor to be, gentlemen,
With the highest respect,
Your Obedient servant
JOHN \. WASHINGTON.
More than half century has now elapsed
since Washington walked among us-a half
century of neglect and ingrattude to his
memory. Between the broken pledges of
Congress, and the apathy of bis mother State,
the remains of the tuther of his country have
lain unhOnOred by the mausOleum voted in
the hour of a Nations grief and his Home
and Grave left TO the fate of private proper
ty. and accessible TO the public, only through
the forbearance or courtesy of its various pri-
Vate Ownersl
Ever and anon, voice was heard to pro-
Test against republican ingrutitude, for, ever
md anon, the heart Of this great nation
seemed to throb with remembrance of his
virtues and of his services, and the priccl
egacy BE- beQueathed. But. during the stern
of ayoung Republic, this voice was
Inheeded, aud since America became power
IN earth, il was either silenced by the din OF
larty, and sectional strife. or stified by the
nurmurs of MammOn, until the generations
which knew him not, were in danger of for
Getting and wholly departing from the those
principles, which are the bulwark of our
aud those warning cOlU,seis which |
an alone maintain our Union in safety. But |
hat Providence which has so often interposed |
or our rescue in the darkest days of the Re- |
,ublic, when the ship of State, with no mas
or hand at the helm, rocked 10 and fro on the /
ngry waves of sectional strife and bitterness |
Which threatened 10 engulf il; has stirred the |
cart OF woman To revive, through the rescue |
{ the sacred ashes of the Father OF his Coun- |
nv, that love for his memory, slumbering. but |
ot dead, which could be made dk polcerJai in !
generating and healing Influences
A call was made to dc iroHeH of the South, |
o gather around his grave and become the /
'estals To keep alive the fires of patriotism.
he motives were pure-the intentions gener-
us-but they failed! le, who watch the |
igns of the times, know We not wherefore! |
Washington belonged not alone 10 he South!
Again the call was made, and this time to |
'e tcopteR If de Ndiioa.--Again il failed,-and
therefore.
The hie, and az the po,rer iceTe 10 he gigeH 10 a
Rate; and Washington belonged not to one State
lone!
Devoted women would be neither bafied |
nd conquered; hut she only triumphs when
be- common homestead can be procured ~ a
ommon heritage, for the estrangcd children
{ a common father the spell of whose mem
~ will yet have the power 10 reunite them
round his hallowed sepulchre.
Unexpected success has crowned her efforts.
'ur country can be saved, one and indissolu-
le forever-fur toonlaR has become her guar
ian spirit. In the sacred groves OF Mount
ernon che will learn those lessons, which