Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-02-23
your obedient servant, JOHN A. WASHINGTON.

More than half century has now elapS- ed since Washington walked among us half century of neglect ahd ingratitude to his memory. Between the broken pledges of Congress, and the apathy of his mother State, the remains of the father of his country have lain unhonored by the mauso- leum voted in the hour of a nations grief, and his home and grave, left to the fate of private property, and accessible to the pub lie only through the forbearance or cour- tesy of its various private owners!
 Ever and anon, a voice was heard to pro test against republican ingratitude, for, ever and anon, the heart of this great nation seemed to throb with remembrance of his virtues and of his services, and the price less legacy he bequeathed. But during the stern struggles of q young republic, this voice was unheeded, and since America be- came power on earth, 1t was either siicnced by the din of party, and sectional strife, or stltled by the murmurs of mammon, until the generations, which knew him not, were ln danger of forgetting and wholly depart ing from those prenapieS, which are the hulwark of our greatness, and those warn ing counSeis which can alone maintain our Union in safety. But that Providence which has so often interposed for our res cue in the darkest days of the republic, when the ship of State with no master hand at the helm, rocked to and fro on the angry waves of sectional strife and bitter ness, which threatened to enguf it; has stirred the heart of woman to revive, through the rescue of the S0cred ashes of the Father of his county, that love for his country. that love for his memory, slumbering. but not dead, which could be made qH 0olcer- tui, in regenerating and healing influences!
 \ call was made to the women of the south, to gather around his grave and be- come the vestals to keep alive the fires of patriotism. The motives were pure-the intentions generous-but they failed Ye, who watch the signs of the times, know ve not wherefore? Hashington Jelongs not alone 10 He S0uth!
 Again the call was made, and this time 10 he wonsen of Me -NatioBi Again it tailed-and wherefore?
 1He tHe and oH he powerS acere 10 5e gi- zen 10 c State; and Uashington belonged to no one State alone.
 Devoted woman would neither be baffled or conquered; but she only triumphs when the only triumphs when the common home stead can be procured as a common heri- tage, for the. estranged children of con- mon father, the spell of whose memory will yet have the power to reunite them around his hallowed sepulchre
 Unexpected success has crowed her eff forts. Our country can be saved, one and ndlssolubletorever-for woman has become her guardian spirit. In the sacred groves ot Mount Vernon, she will learn those les sons, which will never leave us without llary, to train a Washington for her coun- try's hour of need!
 Orators -statesmen-the noble brother hood of Masons-Odd Fellows-patriots, one and all, have come promptly to the aid of woman And ye, women of the north, and of the south, of the east and of the west, will ye not rally to the work?- Will ye not vie one with another, which will give most and do most, that we may on the 22d of February, 1859, claim and take possession of the home and grave of Washington, who loved us all, and thus make h's blSh-day the birthday also of re- publican gratitude, justice and fraternal love!
 ANN PAMELA CUNNIGHAM
 Regent Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association. / April 18th, 1858.
 Published by request of the Vice Regent, of the State of Arkansas, Mrs. Robt. w. 1, Johnson.
 Ees" Papers throughout the State will please copy.