Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-18
An Appeal of the Mt. Vernon Ladies Associa.
ton TO the People of North-CarOlina.

GREE.;sBoRoUGH, Feb. H. 1860
The Vice Regent appointed for the State of North
Carolina sends this appeal greeting to the patriotic
citizens of the State
NorthCarolina was the birth place of American
independence. Here the voice of Liberty, trum-
pet-tongued was first heard upon this continent.
That voice met responsive echo in the bosom of
our sister State of Virginia and with thrilling effect
did the gladstone sound re-echo in the noble heart
of the immortal Washington. His home, his life,
his honor,-all that men cherish and esteem sacred,
he pledged, unreServedly, upon the altar of that
goddess of Liberty whom your voice had invoked
All nations testify how nobly these pledges were
deemed but his grateful countrymen of every age,
sex and condition, whilst stimulating all mankind
to glory in his fame, and emulate his example claim
that home, which he Imperfect and where he lived
and died. and the grave where his ashes repose, as
their own peculiar heritage
1t is the object of this Association to secure the
home so sacred, and the grave so revered compris-
ing two hundred acres of land, including the gar
den and grounds around the mansion and tomb, to-
gether with the adjacent shore of the Potomac, to
be held by its members IN perpetuity, as conSecra-
ted ground. This noble purpose is to be attained
by voluntary contributions from every State the
Union; and the friends of the glorious enterprise
would fain indulge the hope that every person who
claims protection beneath the Star Spangled Banner
may eventually, by direct aid contribute to its
summation, thus assuring to each man. woman and
child in the Republic personal interest proprie-
tors in this Mecca" of the nations affections
Every city, town or hamlet where the chord of
patriotic feeling in the national heart has been
touched by the eloquence Of man, or its generous
impulses awakened by wOmaR's all-persuaSive pow
cr has responded with liberal munfcence. Much
has been thus accomplished in securing national
aid, but much more remains to be done. The capt.
tai stock of the Association is limited to five hun
bred thousand dollars. \ contract of purchase has
been made with the owner of the property at the
II
instalmentS.
The entire purchase money has beer paid except
ing the sum of five thousand dollars, due on the
last inStalment.
Not only this sum due as part Of the original pur
chase money, but the entire capital stock should
must be realized at an early day. The bare pur-
chase of the home and tomb of the Father of his
Country would add little honor to the contributors,
and less glory to the country if the present ruin,
decay and desOlation should continue to meet the
eyes of future pilgrims to this great national shrine.
Nature has done much to embellish the scene which
surrounds these sacred grounds, but architectural
taste must he employed to restore and beautify
them and the graces of art be united with the beau
ties of nature TO make them fitting testimonials of
nations gratitude, and an everything tribute to
the worlds most illustrious hero.
This monument when once finished in manner,
and with artistic SKILL equal to the great subject,
should be preserved ornate and perfect to all future
ages. 4 permanent fund must be invested for its
repair and preservation and portion Of the capital
stock is estimated for that purpose.
The women of North Carolina have in many in
stances entered with spirit upon the glorious work.
Among her sons the gifted Miller stands pre-emi-
nent and in the future history of Mt Vernon will
be ranked with the noble galaxy of intellects who
by their mastery efforts in behalf of the ASsocia-
ton have entitled themselves to nations gratitude.
With these aids her contributions have been meagre,
as compared with the means which her children
can command, and still less commensurate with the
patriotism of her people and their deep and holy
veneration for the name and fame of Washington.
So all pervadng indeed is this sentiment that it is
believed simple reference to it without rhetoric or
figures of speech, would awaken just conception
of the sacred duty which patriotism invokes you
to perform The crisis and the hour in the history
of the Republic would seem, however, to demand
some little eXhortatiOn by way of Fastening the per-
Torrance of this duty Washington belongs to the
States United and if you would stay the anatcal
hands of those who dare force separation of his
home and his grave from the great whole, which he
i bequeathed to land OF common Inheritance
| then unite with in consecratlng one spot within
the nations pale neutral ground, where all sec
| tons may meet as brethren, and where mngling
their tears their prayers, and their hopes at the
! tomb of a common "Pater Patrie" the ties of
! brotherhood may be renewed and the opening links
! of our Union be cemented and made perfect as of
! yore.
| Influenced by considerations so well calculated
dersigned Vice Regent of the State of NOrth-Caro-
! lima, has appointed lady managers in the several
counties and associated with herself committees of
ladies and advisory committees OF gentlemen. This
organization has been commenced and will be con-
tinted under the confident assurance that the active
and efficient cooperation of all the people of the
State will be cordially extended promoting an en-
| terprise which should command countenance and
| support wherever, in this broad land virtue has
votary, intelligence an admirer, or patriotism de-
votee.
The name sum and residence Of every subscriber
will be transcribed the books at Mt. Vernon, and
those who contribute one dollar become members OF
the Association, and by paying the same sum every
subsequent year will be entitled to vote at the annu
al meeting Of that year.
The names of such donors will be published The
contributions from Masonic and OddFellow's Lodges,
| Military and Fire Companies, &c, &C., with the
names of contributors should be given in full to be
published in the Mount Vernon Record.
| All communications should be addressed to Mrs.
LETITIA H. WALKER, Vice Regent of the N. V.
LINDSAY, Greensboro n. c., who has kindly of.
fered to act as Treasurer for the Association.
| ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
His Excellency Gov ELLIS, Raleigh,
Elk Gov GRAHAM, Hillsborough,
Ex Gov SWAIN, Chapel Hill,
Elk Gov. MOREHEAD Greensboro,
: Judge BATTLE, Chapel Hill,
SHEPHERD, Fayetteville,
| Hon. THOS. RUFFIN, Graham,
W. W. AVERY, Morganton,
| JOHN A. GiLMER, Greensboro,
KENNETH RAYNER, Raleigh,
SAML J. PERSON, Wilmington.
HENRY w. MILLER Raleigh,
DUNCAN K. MCRAE, ESQ.,, Newbern,
E.. HALE, Esq, Fayetteville,
PAUL C. CAMERON, Esq, Hillsboro'
W. W. HOLDEN, Esq, Raleigh,
JOSHUA WRIGHT Esq, Wilmington
r. P. DICK, Esq, Greensboro,
VICTOR BARRINGER, ESQ.,, Concord
j. N WASHINGTON, ESQ.,, Newbern.
~ The newspapers Of the State are respectful