The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-05-31
from the Washington States 4 Ungn.l
The Editorial ESXcursiOn to Mt,
VerDOn--Speecsles and Resolu-
tiOns.

VerDOn--Speecsles and IL Resolu.
tiOns.
Yesterday afternoon at three o'clock the
editors from the West, numbering some two
| hundred and fifty, who have arrived in this
city over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
left on excursion to Mount Vernon and Fort
Washington. There was very large as.
semblage on the boat, including Hons Mr.
Ashmore 5. G. and Col. Curtis ofthe House
of Representatives, ex-Gov. Ford of Ohio,
and others distinguished in political and lit
erary life. The atteniance OF ladies' waS also
large. Several of the correspondents and
reporters located in Washington were pres
ent, but we re. .ret that out single Wash
ington journa! was represented on an occa-
sion of so much interest The trip down
river was delightful, the cool breezcs and
fine scenery being quite a relief from the
heat of the past few DAYS.
The approach of Mount Vernon was sig
nailed within Al hour by the telling of the
bell, and in few moments the bat round
ed il the whlrf The entire company then
proceeded to the tomb Oae ofthe fratern-
ity, not unknovn to fame, mounted one of
press-gang on a wheelbarrow, aud conveyed
up the hill. As it was not his first effort the
attempt was not Poor one.
The party spent over al hpIr in cSanin-
ihs the house and grounds. The latter
in the freshness of May never look,I more
beautiful.
The ladies Of Mount Vernon Society are A.
ready busy in their improvements. One of
the out houses has been converted into the
workshop, and the huge piles of lumber show
that the work of innovation is going on
The old aal tottering pnrtico to the house.
Under whose protecting roof Washngtonhas :
so often walked, is to be removed, and give
way to a rae stmtIe of 1t in the shape ola new
and stronger one. 1t viii not be the same
one, however, All many me norieS and inter
esting relies will plss away with the change.
Guards are nov statiolal over the grounds
to prevent any de)re lltiol, sin ;. the society
came into posses sion.
In the rear ofthe house the cou1anv was
distributed oycrtag spacioaS Lawn, ani such
a busy note-taking scene it was never our
fortune to witness. Notebook and pencil
were in the hands of all of our editorial
friends, both ladies' and gentlemen. Several
artists also took sketches of the many objects
ot interest, and we never saw a company
more deeply interested in this sacred SPOT. -
The hour and twenty minutes past awav
and all were sun nonei to the boat on the
return. Shortly after the Collyer left the
wharf, meeting of the editors was held on
tie upper deck, Mr.. Harvey, of the Mount
Fernoa (Oaio) Banner, being the president
As the committee appointed to draft suita.
BILE resolutions were not really to report the
president called on
Col. Curtis, (M. CO Of Iowa, to deliver a
few remarks. He briefly addressed the aud
lence, sayin, that he was pleas ed to be re-
lieved from the scenes of Congressional life
for time, and to meet his friends of the
West He thought it now the proper oc
casion for them to pause and reflect on the
surrounding groves through which Wash
i'gton had wandered, and to think of the
many followed scenes they would vet write
a5olt; OF the place where Washington was
imhuei with the spirit Of the Constitution,
tni his devotion to his country. He could
not refrain from exclaiming, "What achanga
ron then!' In those days presses and pa
pers were but few, and even now the first
one could be seen at tn. Patent Office
But the press of this day, he thought, were
recording events more terrible than those of
the days past sectional feelings had sprung
mp which it was partly in their pr. vince to
l'lay. This excursion, he thought, would
have beneficial influence on these eventr,-
tines, and woul result in new fealty to the
Union.
Mr.. &. spoke 1t S ,me length, and was an.
plauded throughout.
Mr.. Carnes, of Texas, next addressed the
audience. and in response TO calls for the
Lone STAR" said that she was the Lone
stan no longer-she renainel forever in the
Union. There was no disloyalty in the
State. He concluded witha fitting tribute
% the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for their
nnniiicence in a.fbrling then tho pleasant
occasion of this day
Hon. Mr. ASh,u)re, of South Carolina
was next called on, as he said, much to his
surprise, not antic,pltin, for moment that
he wouli be c,lled on Cor speech. lie as
'urel the ladies' and gentlemen present,
however, that it was no affectation when he
said that this was most unexpected pleas
ure Of meeting the gallant gentlemen, and
the fair ladies Of the West. His duties were
confined to the Capitol, and he did not,
therefore, CONE here for display, and he was
pardened for not abiding to political differ
cnces. He appreciated the talent and worth
Of the editorial fraternity.