Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-08-10
Mount Vernon.
REMARKS OF REV. CHARLES BROOKS, OF MED
FORD. BEFORE THE MASSACHUSETTS HIsToRI-
c.r SocIETy JITJY I4FH. 1855 {:

FORD BEFORE THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORI-
CAL SOCIETY, JULY. 14rH, 1855:
Mr.. President:-A recent visit to Mount
Vernon has revived some historical ideas, to
which | ask a few moments attention. l
tried to look from the angle OF history, and
therefore as / walked those fields, meditated
upon the historical associations hereafter to
be connected with the sacred spot L pro-
pose the topic merely as subject for con-
temptation, hoping that its historical aspects
NAV lead some one of my associates to sug-
gest the appropriate course, which the Oldest
historical society in the United States may
be expected to point out, in aid of those
| noble women who have purchased the price
| less domain | would briefly answer two
questions, with reference only to single
point:
FIRST. What is Mount Vernon to become?
Second, How can it be made to express
properly the ideas which should hencetorth
be associated with il?
First. What is Mount Vernon to become?
1t is to become emphatically historical;
hope exclusively historical, concentrating
| only the persons and events connecting with
| the American Revolution. We cannot sepa-
rate the Revolution and Washington, nor
| Washington and Mount Vernon. That spot
| will come 10 be regaI ded as the first volume
| of American republican history, seen and
| read of all men. They who move the world
| have induced our country TO set 1t apart as
monument of gratitude, in which every
| male and female within our borders is to feel
| q new, peculiar and personal interest; and 1t
will certainly thus become to future genera
! tions an historical record more precious and
| renowned than we at this time have power
| to conceive hope, therefore, that the
| Presidents of the Historical Society of the
several States in the Union may make part
| of that Executive Committee who are to re-
store the beautiful spot to the form it had in
| 1899, and do all else that impartial history
| can sanction. One of our own body, trust
| will be Chairman of that Committee. ~
Mount Vernon. in its integrity, will be
| permanent. 1t cannot change its owners, or
| lose its new dist motive character. The
present national capital may pass away, but
| Mount Vernon cannot pass away; 1t Is the
| onEv place of which such historic perpetuity
can be predicated, II pturibiiS tnuHt
Second If it is to be thus lasting and I'M
changeable, the next question is, how can it
be made 10 express most fully and forcibly
the yeneration and love we cherish for w ash
| ington; and also to embody those national
IDEAS which we wish should forever be asso-
ciated with it!
While the present precious mansion house
stands it will next to the sarcOphagus, be re-
garded as the most endearing and expressive
| record; but, two hundred years are about the
longest time that common wooden building
can stand in our climate. Half OF that
period has done its work OF demolition on the
noble structure. After the next century bas
finished it's destruction there will remain
ONLY the ashes of the Chief to hallow the
spot Some may think best TO rebuild the
present house, using every sound timber and
board brick and stone, iron and glass, and
replacing each in the exact position, 1T now
occupies thus making the whole wear the
same as now. Would it not be better TO re-
pair the present honse so thoroughly as to
make it as strong as new? This would be
doing as they have done with the Parthenon
and Coliseum, the Temple of Peace and the
Pantheon; or as we do with our good old
manuscripts and portraits, with Governor
Caryer's chair and the Pilgrim cradle.
But, after decay has brought all perishable
monuments 10 the dust, what will then be
needed, on the principle of the association OF
ideas? / answer, the one millions OF free
Americans will then wish to see the perfect
visible likeness of the living forms OF those
wise men who sat with Washington in public
council. of those brave warriors who fought
at his side in the open tield.-How grateful
will it be to their eyes TO look upon the true
and expressive features of those orators and
statesmen, heroes. and patriots, whose pres
ence at Mount Vernon would shed new glory
on their leader, while it would make that
SPOT the Pantheon of the Republic. Such an
assemblage would not only help to create,
but to perpetuate alnational gratitude and a
fraternal union Mount Vernon would thus
become a heart, whose strong and steady
pulsation would send its lie TO every extre-
nifty of the body polite. What outward re-
cord half 50 impressive or half so durable as
the perfect likeness in marble OF those pat
riotic statesmen who declared to the world
that we ought to be free and independent,
and of those brave warriors who Afterwards
made US so?
Three historical epochs, or events seem to
group themselves Mt the tomb of Washington:
/, The Declaration Of Independence; I'd, The
eight years struggle to secure it; and 3, The
beginning of a new nation in the hrst Presl-
dency. To these let Noun. Vernon be hence
forth devoted; and none others The more
fully we do this the more durably shall we
honor the Father of his Country. From these
three points rays flight may be made 10 con-
cenIrate themselves anew on his head. II
seems to me, that are bound as patriots
and christians to fasten upon Mount Vernon
these three eventiul ideas, these three histoIi-
cal associations, these three creative powers
, of good. Thus will IL become centre to
| ward which every American heart will gravi
tate. Each State will feel its own presenc,
I there represented in noble seirs and perpetual
inheritance.
While we give TO marble the likeness o
: these INDUSTRIOUS men, We are only doing Al
honor which is done every year To tndivldua
| benefactors. When, as country, We shall
have proved that republic is not ungrateful
r We shall have written volume OF history
p whose meaning and authority can never b
I misused; We shall have engaged. for he srorL
J the grand majestic text OF political science
: enlightened patriotism aud christian faith.
e | il not desirable that this should be done
n And where else in the wide land Is there an
: other spot 80 concentrated, SO proper, an
Z nov 20 national.
!: This duty is assigned to- us. Our patrie
n fathers have just died. Does not hliai piet
demand at our hand the monumental reeors
" These political benefaetors have bequeathc
: TO us a free government; whose blessings an
homes we are the first 10 receive aud EMO,
and does pot gratitude prompt "a 70 do som
thing, which shall keep them before our ON
: eyes. aud transmit their image 10 our chi
dreny
= Col. Trumhail told me. that all the fac
= aud forms, in bis picture Of rrvoiationaf
= statesmen and warriors. were taken from III
How important that those faces aud iofu
should be preserved In marble, beyond u
possibility If destruction. We renemb
Nv what ME. Adams said OF the Convention: Il D
Of looked like al assembly OF CODA Can '
be do a better thing for history or lor tresdo'
tn than o. transmit 60 futnre centuries the exa
"a representation Of the dignity OF those iorI
and tlse iaisiigeneeofof those iaessy Can