The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-01-20
Appeal to the Ladies of Michigan.

ioeo W oolIle eAlenl, CONCERNING tne
present movement of the Ladies'
Mount Vernon Association of the I'm
ion," it is thought advisable to present
to you simple sketch of its transac-
tions. q t
Notwithstanding the general wish of
the Union, that Mount Vernon should
be- consecrated by the Nation to the
memory of its original proprietor, no
scheme promised to meet this object.
Various efforts were made by private
Companies, by the General Govern
ment, and by the State of Virginia,
which successfully failed.
When every other hope in the enter
prise was abandoned, one of our own
sex achieved the work. Taking coun-
sci of some of the purest and ablest
men of the country, plan was devised
for purchasing the Tomb of Washing
ton, and the grounds surrounding it,
and securing it to the Women of the
Union, subject to no interference or
control on the part of Virginia, or any
other State, section, party or power.
With great legal care an act of in
corporation was framed, and passed
the Legislature of Virginia, by which
this Association was authorized to pur-
chase the property and to hold it for
ever.
The Legislative power of the Asso-
citation of Ladies is confded to Re-
gent, assisted by Vice Regents appoint
ed by her-one for each State. Vice
Regents have been appointed in most
of the States, whose organizations are
in active and successful operation, and
most satisfactorily results are reported.
1t becomes the duty of the Vice Re
gent to institute the most effectual
means to secure the cooperation of all
the Ladies in the State, and such
measures will speedily be employed as
seem best adapted to this end.
Every subscriber becomes perma-
nent member of the Association by
paying one dollar, and may vote at any
annual meeting of the Association
thereafter, by paying like sum; and
every subscribers name, and also the
amount subscribed, will be registered
in the subscription books, which will be
circulated for that purpose.
The capital stock of the incorpora-
ton is limited to FIVE hundred thousand
dollars-two hundred thousand for the
purchase of two hundred acres ofland,
including the mansion, tomb, garden,
grounds, wharf and landing on the Po-
tomac river, to be held in fee simple;
and three hundred thousand dollars to
constitute fund for repairs of the di-
lapidated buildings, improving the ne
elected grounds, and for otherpurposes,
relative to their future advantage.
Ladies-the contract has been closed;
the first instalment-eighteen thou
sand dollars-has been paid to the
owner of the estate, Mr.. John A.
Washington. 1t is very desirable to
close the contract by paying the whole
amount on the 22d of February, 1859,
and every Efforts being made by the
Ladies of other States to procure
the funds.
AS rapidly as possible organizations
will be effected in all the counties aud
towns of our broad and beautiful Pc
ninsula, and from my knowledge ofthe
Mothers, Sisters and Daughters of the
State, l fear not to pledge you for
due share in the privilege of contribu
ting to the noble cause.
We are new commonwealth, and
our population is comparatively sparse,
yet it is believed our people have true
hearts, ready to respond to the calls of
honor and of patriotism.
This appeal to our citizens is conf
IDENTIFY made-it is no sectional enter
prise, eminent men, of the North as
well as the South, have largely con-
tributed to its funds.
Let it not be said that the ladies of
any other State in proportion to our
numbers, shall surpass US in enthusi-
asm and active effort.
Our Regent, Miss Ann Pamela Cum
ningham, whose address is Philadel-
phia, is a feeble woman, in delicate
health, yet it is through her exertions
the good work was begun, and she calls
to her "sisters from the vast West, to
unite with those of the seagirt East,
from the bleak regions of the North,
and from the savannas of the South"
to share with her the honor of this glo-
rious enterprise.
Ali may contrlbute-thousands of
our population who have left the faith
erland to establish their domestic affairs
within the shores of our mighty lakes
and spacious praries, of various
tongues, and kindred, and nations,
should bring their offerings and lay
them on the Tomb of our great
ashington, who won for them and
their posterity the priceless liberty they
enjoy. Let us teach our descendants to
be proud of proprietorship in one
sacred spot, where pilgrims from every
part of the Union may assemble, and
where the sectional animosities which
at times threaten our political exis-
tence, shall soften down and mlngle in
to love and peace.
In the archives of Mount Vernon
will be deposited and preserved a re-
cord of all the names of those who be-
come members of the Association.
Time and history shall point to it as
one of the most graceful monuments
that adorn the world, and that simple
record shall, both in the uses to which
it is consecrated, and the virtues which
1T .displays. obscure the proudest epi-