Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-03-11
Mount Vernon Association.

was much pleased with the eloquent ap
peals of your Mary Ann Jarvis as published
in your Paper in behalf of the Mount Vernon
Association, and l have been grati6ed TO
md that SO many cheering responses have
already been made to these appeals from the
patriotic and gene: ous-hearted friends of this
Association and lovers of Washington, in
Hancock County. l consider that the en-
terprise in question, which the women of
our Country have undertaken to accomplish
is one ofthe noblest and most praiseworthy
which could engage their inAue: ce and ex-
ertion. 1t is identified with the preserva-
ton Of our free Institutions and pohtialc
blessings. If the American People are cor
rect in the belief which seems to be strong
ly and happily impressed on their minds,
that Washington was an Instrument in the
hands Of Providence to achieve our liberties
and Independence, then a sacred regard for
his memory and worth is essential to the
perpetuity of the exalted rights and privi-
leges which his services secured; and the
possession of the Home where he lived and
died, and of the place where his remains now
repose as National domain, would do much
towards keeping in remembrance his trans
cendent virtues, and in preserving undimin-
ished our public distinctions and enioyments
The object of the Mount Vernon Association
is to rescue this hallowed spot from private
speculation and to consecrate it to a proper
use. The plan is a glorious one;and, as it is
prosecuted by Women, it uiU succeed. We
rejoice that it meets with SO much favor .anj
regret that it should find any opposition
The principal objection which have heard
made to this purchase is, that the sum de
manded for it is exorbitant and discovers the
mercenary spirit Of John A. Washington, the
present proprietor of the property, whose Gu
pidity in this respect should not be gratfi-
ed. This charge against him is unfounded
and unjust. Mr.. Everett has not only de-
clared that he could have received much
more for it from private individuals. but
such is generally undertood to be the fact
from other responsible sources. have it
from the lips of one of the parties interest
ed, living in this County, that individuals,
belonging to this State. with Others living
out of it, were anxious to buy this property
on speculation; and my informant was one
of the persons who went to Mount Vernon
expressly for the purpose of obtaining bond
for it sat almost any price, to run sixty
days and for which they would have given a
large bonus. Mr.. Washington declined to ne
gotiate with them for the reason that he was
under some obligation to sell the property
to the Ladies, who have now fortunately Sc
cured it. Whatever other objections are or
may be raised through misplaced prejudice
against this enterprise, it Is joyfully certain
they cannot prevent its success. There is
a spirit abroad in favor of it which cannot
be resisted. 1t would be almost as easy to
stop the flowing of the tide or to change the
course of the wind. 1t is matter of pride
that this spirit has been strikingly manifest
|
efforts Of the true hearted W oman mentioned
in the beginning OF this article, it has not
in coming down East, as far as Ellsworth.
lost its patriotic virtue:and hope it will ev-
hilit an equal life and efficacy as it passes
| through the County that bears the name OF
Washington, where its claims should be re-
ceived with peculiar welcome and support.
And now. Mr.. Editor, let me kindly ask
while as Anti-Slavery men of the North. we
are unalterably and heartily opposed to the
extension Of Slavery, and have generally con-
ceded that this Institution should remain
undisturbed by us in the States, where it
may constitutlonally belong, whether we
always manifest sufficient charity for those,
who, living in Slave State, may through
necessity be the owners Of Slaves-whether
it would not be more just "to praise where
we can and condemn only where we must -
and whether John A. Washington, SO far as
it regards the disposition of the Mount YER
non estate is not entitled to the application
of the first part of this rule, instead of being
denounced by the imposition of the last.
Much might be said on this subject. but
have already protracted this communication
beyond the limits intended. l will only
adL-but in doing so may be thought guilty
of the same want of charity that have just
imputed to others-that in my estimation
there is 10 reason consistent with that vener
alton which should be cherished for the mem
DRY of Washington, and that regard which
should be felt for the welfare and reputation
of our country, or even for the generous in
stncts of humanity, to warrant any justiia-
BILE opposition to the present enterprise
which am constrained from principle and
feeling to repeat, reflects the highest credit
on its originators, and will rebound to the
praise and honor gifts supporters.
Since writing the foregoing, | am remind
ed that have alluded to this subject in an
Address prepared to be delivered in Hamlin
Hall, Columbia. on "Woman's Rights" and
as it will probably be delivered before it can
appear in your paper; and for variety,
send you an extract from this production,
containing this allusisn which you can pub
lish if you see fit.
Cherryield, Feb. 22d, 1859.
P. S. In your paper of last week, no.
ticed two communications from the pen of
Charles Jarvis Fan in relation to the Mann,