The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-08-18

Appeal to the Ladies of Michigan.
To engage your patriotic interest,
and to prevent the misapprehcnsion
which exists, to some extent, concern
ing the present movement of the la
dies Mount Vernon Society Of the
Union" it is thought advisable to pre-
sent to you simple sketch of its trans.
actions. '-'.' Si'
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 government
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 our country, plan was de-
vised for purchasing the tomb of
Washington and the grounds surround =
ing 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 formed, and passed the
Legislature of Virginia, by which this
Association was authorized to purchase
the property, and hold it forever. a-,'1
i The Legislative power of this asso- :
citation of ladies is confided to q Re-; !,
gent, assisted by Vice Regents, ap-.
pointed by her, one for each State. ! = = =
Vice Regents have been appointed
in most of the States, where organiza-
tions are in active and successful ope-.
ration, and most satisfactory results are
reported. 1t becomes the duty of the
Vice Regent to institute the most eff.
fectual means to secure the co-opera-
ton OF all the ladies in the State, and
such measures will speedily be employ
ed as seem best adapted to this end. 9d1
| Every subscriber becomes perma.
nent member of the association by :
paying one dollar, and may vote at o
any annual meeting of the Association
by paying a like sum-. and every cub
scriber's name, and the amount subj
scribed, will be registered in the SUBJ 5
scription books. which will be cirouls- 81
ted for that purpose, and forwarded to 4
the Regent. 50 zoi1asHi sAt
The ospital stock of the incorporation
| is limited to FIVE hundred thousand
dollars: two hundred thousand for the
purchase Of two hundred acres, includ
ing the mansion, tomb, garden,
grounds, wharf and landing on the
Potomac River-to be held In fee SIM
pie; and three hundred thousand to
constitute fund for repairing the d.
lapidated buildings, improving the neg
lected grounds, and for other purposes
relative to their future advantage. 'fe'E
Ladies, the contract has been closed;
the first instalment of eighteen thou
sand dollars has been paid to the presri
ent owner of the estate, Mr.. John AL
Washington. 1t is very desirable t6rf
consummate the contract by paying theIi
whole amount on the 22d of February, =
1859, and every effort is being made by
the ladies of other States to secure the
funds. As rapidly as possible organi-
cations will be formed in every county
and town of our broad and beautiful
peninsula, and from my knowledge of
the mothers, sisters and daughters of
this State, fear not to pledge you for
due share in the privilege of contribu-
ting to this noble cause. lalg 9bsr need
We are new commonwealth, and
our population is comparatively sparse,
yet it is believed that our people have
true hearts, ready to respond to the
calls Of honor and patriotism. '1' 70 30
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 contributed
to its funds. The objecs is the rescue,
| of the home and sepulchre of the great
leader of our armies, under Providence
and the founder Of our civil and rclig-o
ious liberty. ss7 af5 -
Let it not be said that the, ladies Of
any other State, in proportion to our
numbers, shall surpass us in enthusiasm
or active effort. -,+s.., - ~, 4
Our Regent, Miss Ann Pamela Cun-.
Iningham, whose address is Philadel-.
phia, is 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 sea-girt east,
from the bleak regions of the north,
and the savannas of the SOUTH" to
share with her the honor and glory Of,
the enterprise. -. ~, -: 80, -. /.
All may contribute. Thousands of.
our population who have left the Faith,
erland, to establish their domestic altars.
within the shores of our. mighty lakes
and spacious prairies, of various tongues,
and kindreds and nations, should bring
their offerings and lay them on the
tomb of Washington, who; won for,
them the priceless liberty that they en-,
ljoy. Let us teach our descendants to
be proud of their 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 existence
shall soften down and ming1e into love
and peace. ,., - ~ < - i, - -.