The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-03-17
ABBEvILLE S. c, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH IL 1855
PERSONAL REn1N1scENCE OF WASHINGTON

PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES OF WASHINGTON.
The Washington States says: We have
been favored with the following extracts
from letter written by an estimable and
enlightened German gentleman. now in his
eighty-fourth year, to his friend in this city
Although fifty eight years have elaspcd
since this good old German was last in this
country, yet we understand lie has made it
an invariabe custom, ever since, to cclc.
brate at his own house, our two great
national holidays-thc 4th of July and
22d Of February
brennan, Jan. Is, 1859.
My Dear Sir: l have the pleasure to ac-
knowledge the receipt Of your letter of
Goth December, and avail myself Of the
first post to express my thanks for the in
te:csting intelligence which it communi-
Gates. That which affords me the most
JOY is the reference made to the purchase,
by American ladies, Of Mount Vernon, the
domestic residence of tho immortal father
of your great republic. Tie noble pur-
pose Of your fair countrywomcn to rescue
the hallowel spot upon which he passed
the last days of his glorious life from fur
thcr dilapidation, to preserve the unprctend-
ing old mansion from utter ruin, and to
cmbcllish the grounds, is as praiscworthy
and crcdtaLIe to the Union as the lofty pa.
triotism which distinguished the Spartan
motlIers. May Almighty God bless them
for this work of national grati:ude-too
long, alas delayed by their fathers, hus
bands and brothers.
In my parlor is suspended an engraving
of Mt. Vernon, and in my front hall IL pic
ture Of General Washington, Which en-.
braces Mrs. Washington and Miss Cus,is
My eyes love to liuger upon those faithful
mcmen'oes Of other years. They vividIy
call to my mind the day-tlic proudcst
day of my life-tllat passed upon the
beautiful banks of tho Potomac, in the
family Of the best and greatest parsonage
that the world has ever produced. It was
in May, l79s, now nearly sixty years. l
was seated at his right at dinner, and
recollect us distinctly his majestic bearing
as if it were yesterday. Though of mortal
ity, his overpowering presence inspired an
impression that lie belonged to immortali-
ty. His statelincss, his serene face, the
perfect simplicity Of his manners, his mod
est dcmcanor, and the words of wisdom
which he uttered, led me irrcsstably to the
belief that he WAS an cmanalion Of the
Omnpotcnt, for the marvellous work that
he had just comsummated 1t was my
good fortune to contemplate him in his re
rctircmcnt-afer lie had left nothing .un-
done that he could perform for the repub
lie Of his creation, and a fter he had quilted
office forever. What a privilege enjoyed
in being his welcome guest! OF the
24o,ooo,ooo of people in Europe, imag-
inc am the only person, since the death
of Lafayette, who was so favored as to
break bread and take wine with him at his
own table. May his pure spirit guide your
government in all coming time, through
any difficulties in which il may find itself
cncompasscd May his disiutercsted pa
triotism be cmulated through countless
generations, by his Successors in the Execu
tive Mansion.
The Presidential task, however, becomes
more and more difficult as your population
increases and your boundaries extend.
thank you much for Mr.. Buchanan's mes.
sage. 1t is replcte with information, such
as we could expect from SO experienced
and enlightened statesman. 1t has been
favorably received in Germany. But will
Congress assist him in carrying ont the
measure lie proposes? The exercise of a
controlling influence in Central America
appears to be an absolute necessity for your
commercial intercourse with the Western
States, as also the annexation of Cuba and
yet think your republic wants no addition
of Territory. For my part, l liked your
fifteen United States, during my stav, from
1906 to 1900, much more than I do now
your thirty two. with all the gold of Cali
fornia. But l will indulge no gloomy
foret odipgs, but, as over, will implore God
to protect your Union, bind its citizens to
gether with cords Of enduring fraternal re
gard.
Il Boys first Purchuse.-There is now
young man, doing fiourisbing business in
Massachusetts, whose boyhood was adorned
by the following act:
lie was reared in poverty, and was early
instructed to save his money. This he did
with extreme care, until he had enough to