The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-03-10

dear and sacred TO the end OF time.
The foregoing illusions to the present condl-
ton of Mount Vernon are not made in the spirit
of reproach to the present proprietor Ii can
rarely be proper to make the conduct of private
citizens, and the manner in which they manage
their affairs, the subject of public comment. So
long as they keep within the bounds OF morality
and the law, belong to the same sect and party
with ourselves, vote for the same candidates, use
the same dictionary, read the same newspaper,
and take off their hats to the ground when we
pass, (for if they fail in any of these things, there
is nothing too bad to say or print of Them they
ought not to be interfered with. l am not aware
of anything which ought TO deprive the propri-
etor of Mount Vernon of the benefit of this prin-
ciple, certainly not as far as | am concerned, IN
debted as | api to him and his amiable family for
q most friendly and hospitable reception.
1t could never, I think, have been a productive
property nor one capable of being kept in high
condition, without a considerable annual outlay.
1t descended to the present proprietor, If l am
not misinformed,- for l do not derive the impress
sion from HMM a neglected state. Supposlhg
it true that he has shown himself not duly sensi-
bic to the interesting character OF the spot, 1t
does not, I think, lie with his fellow citizens to
reproach him. 1t will be time enough to do so
when, either by the acts of their public represen-
tatives, or any more informal demonstrations,
they shall themselves have manifested a sincere
and effective interest in the care and preservation
of Mount Vernon. While it remains a fact that
nothing has been done by the leaders OF public
opinion in or out of Congress, or by any general
popular movement, for its protection, 1T is unfair
TO reproach Mr.. Washington for a supposed neg
lect of it. Considered merely as a patrimonial
farm, he surely has a right to take care OF 1t or
neglect it at his pleasure. Considered In It's
great national and patriotic associations, 1T will
be time enough for the public to rebuke MIN when
the public has done its own duty.
But leaving reproaches aside, which seldom do
much good to masses of men or 70 individuals,
ooJ QUO in oanar,l most 1iberally dealt out by
those who have little else to deal in, all persons
must admit. that the state of things at present
existing at Mount Vernon ought TO cease. Nom
;aally private property and belonging toa private
individual, the public in effect lays claim TO IL,
takes possession of it, occupies it, at least
overruns it. Visitors of every kind GHIn vast
numbers, tourists and pilgrims, of ewn and
foreign lands, led by every motive - idle curl
osity To patriotic feeling, resort to Motkf Vernon
in the pleasant season of the year, and more or
less at all seasons. They wander over the grounds
and through the house, the greater part OF them,
nodoubt. conducting themselves with the decorum
which belongs 10 the place. and the clvllity when
belongs to all places. But in addition to the
civil and well-bred there are enough OF an oppo-
site description 10 inAict serious injury on the
grounds and the house. and TO cause the greatest
ANNOYANCE TO its inmates. Their retirement Is
invaded in the most unseemly and distressing
manner articles easily removed must be closely
watched, to prevent their being carried OIL
whatever can be broken or cut Is HaOie pt
mutilated and defaced within doors, and the
shrubbery in the walks and grounds is appropri-
ated without scruple. Three or four OF the paies
have been wrenched from the balustrade OF the
front staircase, and carEed away. An attempt
was made last year to break the glass case which
contains the KEY of the Bastile, given by Lafayette
TO Washington, and to purloin this remarkable
relic. Most of the small projecting portions OF
the wrought marble mantel-piece presented to
General Washington by Samuel Vaughan, Esq,
of London. and forming the ornament OF the fire
place in the dining-room, have been ruthlessiy
broken off and in one case, at least. young mag
noIias planted in the grounds have been cut down
BY tourists. who were, it may be supposed. par
tieular as to the quality of their walking sticks.
Were the fortune of the proprietor such as would
enable him to recover a place like MJuntVernon
from the effects of half a century of neglect. and
to bring it into a state of ornamental culture, lt
is plain that it could not be kept in that condi-
ton without the additional expense IF there were
no other difficulty of a number of watchmen and
guards.
Vernon but if they insist on doing il in numbers that put TO
fight all IDEAS Of private property. to say nothing OF the seein-
sion which makes the charm of rural life, they ought TO be WILL
ing to acquire a right to do 81. They ought to possess themselves
They not only ought nSt to reproach Mr.. Washington. with let
ting it go to decay, while they are themselves tearing it topieces,
possession, unaecompaniei by any genuine enjoyment OF his
property, while they are exercising upon it themselves the most
I know Of but three ways in which the end can he attained.
An individual or company might purchase Mount Vernon, in
order to throw it open as a place Of public resort and recreation.
to rn tb sc eject erf1 tempting in their ameunt, have been made to the
present proprietor, and are regarded by his friends as a justin.
cation for demanding a price for the estate. 50 much beyond IL
value for any ordinary private purpose They urge that a gen
tleman Of moderate means. actually coerced by the public in the
way described. into selling his property. has made sacrifice
enough to patriotic feeling. in refusing the lucrative offers Of pri-
vate individuals. who might put the estate to an unworthy use
and that a farther pecuniary sacrifice ought not. in Justice to his
family, to be expected Of him, in the price for which ne Is WI
an must approve the motives and feeIisgs which have induced
Mr. Washington while virtually compelled to part with the e-
tate) IN refuse 70 sell IL for the purpose ALLUDED to-
Excluding then .he alienation Of Mount Vernon for the pur-.
poses of speculation, there isno way in which the public can
turn its preseu. turnul:uary. violent, and Illegal occupation of
81. Sent t of t shs aenrr ;: = % cnnsen ps IN Sxy 10 in ssnnneH sn ni'I really y extorted
by the duress of circums;ances) into a IHeal and honest posses
or could have been, effected either by Congress or the State of
Virginia There are strong reasons in favor OF either course,
and practical difficulties in the way of both, which this is not the
place to discuss. Proposals have OCCASIONALLY been male both
in Congress and the legislature of Virginia for this purpose, but
such a purchase theren. re being ont of the question. the only
remaining mole by which the public can honestly become pos
sessed Of ii is that which has actually been resorted to, and is
tate nv = Voluntary ASSOCIATION co-ex.ensive with the Union :
endowed with requisite powers to hold and manage the property
by n charter of Incorporation from the State Of Virginia, (and
every one. I think, must admit that the legislature of the native
State Of Washington, and the State in which the property is stu
ated. is the authority from which a charter could most appropri-
ately be derived) composed Of members and soliciting contri-
mode of raising the funds to consummate the purchase is ex-
tremely lahOrious that, in fact, is The only great a, m ay At
The i've hundred thousand doilarsSequirel to fulfil all the de-
day, by the cheerful cooperation Of the people of the United
States. each one giving his Proportionaie mite but to arrange
throughout a country so vast as ours, is a m%ter OF difhculty
and labor.
1t Is really, however, as it seems to me, the best way to accom-
pish the object. Il produces a more direct participation Of the
people in the result than II were accomplished by a legislative
appropriation and the zeal and energy with which the ladies Of
the association. alike those forming part Of the Central govern
ment. and those who, as local managers, have united with them,
authorize a confident expectation of complete success, and that
mt no distant day. 1t is indeed very important that what Is
done should be done promptly, for Mr.. Washington has engaged,
in case the purchase money is paid in February next, TO remit
the interest due upon tor the current year.
venture, in conclusion, to make a proposal, suggested by the
munifcenee of the proprietor of the Ledger in paving the gen
erOus sun Of ten thousand dollars to the Mount Vernon Fund
for the preparation Of these papers would that IL were in my
power TO make them more worthy Of his liberaEty More than
three hundred thousand copies Of this journal IL circulated among
the masses Of the people; throughout the length and breadth Of
the land A large proportion Of the copies are ordered by clubs,
and are rad in families, and / am told that il Is not an extrava-
giant calculation. that they are read by one million Of the people
OF the United States, each one Of whom venerates the character