Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-01-19
For he Crilian and Telegraph.
Recent Honors 10 washin gton-The Mount
Vernon Association.


the claims and character of Washington
think it must have strtch every ot,e who con-
siders the signs Of The times, how much more
has been said ON this subject in the last few
years and months than formerly, within the
| recollection Of the present generation. Ills
star has never indeed greatly pale, or utter
| " sunk below the horizon, but it has lately
shone out brighter and assembled higher than
ever. Whether it is that time has illustrated
more impress;vely the ex,ent and variety OF
his excelencics and services, or that the crit
ical state OF The country for which he fought so
bard and ruled 80 wisely.iS forcing us back up
on the first principles which he g. his associates
establshed-at any rate, his name and fame
are becoming more than ever, and perhaps
more than anything else, a bond Of union and
means of safety. New biographers and ell
logists hav, appeared to do him honor, and
they the very foremost of our orators and es-
sayists. Irving who gloried in bearing his
name, spent the greater part of the last years
of his life, in retouching the picture of his
greatness, which Marshall anil Sparks had
portrayed at such length. And Everett has
found here the very finest subject Of his
matchless oratory, and favored the Union
to repeat the story of lis life, to such audi
ences as no orator nor subject ever drew to-
gether before. And the circumstances under
which Mr.. Z. has made these efforts, as de-
scribcd by himself in tire last of his contribu-
tions to the n. y. Ledger, have made it in
deed a most self-dcnying labor .! patriotic
zeal and love.
The most Interesting token Of love and
honor TO Washington, which has ever been
given, is that of the ant. Vernon Associa.
tion," composed of the most prominent la
dies in the country. organized for the landa-
bic purpose of purchasing the estate, which
was the home of Washington, and is still the
resting place Of his remains, thus rescu-
ing it from the neglect or alienation to which
ell private property is subject, and making ii
the property of the nation, as represented i'll
this voluntary Association, from generation
to generation. 1t has been secured by them
for 5000, 900, price which disntcrcSted in
dividuals pronounced not too great for the
proprietor reasonably to require, and which
all will admit, is not too much for the nation
to pay. And this surn has already bccn col
lected by the agency Of the Association, one
third of it perhaps through the oratorcal and
literary efforts of Mr.. Everett Thus the
primary object of the Association is virtually
gained, but the purchase OF Mount Vernon
would be of little use or interest, if there were
no provision for repairing the past ravages
and preventing the future inroads Of time.
Prudence has therefore dictated, that the AS
ISOLATION should not take possession, till it is
ready to assume the guardianship Of the 81
cred spot. This has been estimated to re-
quire either an annual subscription of some
$4,000, or permanent fund Of Sl50,000,
and efforts are now making Throughout the
Union to complete this endowment before
the 4th Of July next, most fitting time for
the imposing and affecting ceremonial by
which it is intended to celebrate ut Mt. Yer
non itself the completion of this great work
of national love and gratitude
Many noble contributions have been made
by individuals. The present proprietor has
made over the entire proceeds of the steam
boat trips to Mt Vernon during the past year,
amounting to Sl22S,25. Washington Irv
ing was much interested ia the object and in
February last, contributed $500 to it, and she
was no millionaire" as the Ed. Of the Mt V.
Record remarks, "but laborious writer,
many weeks of whose work was probably
represented by that amoant" Other orators
besides Mr.. Everett have labored in their
sphere and according to their measure, to OBJ
tain funds for it, Mr.. Henry w. Miller, of
Raleigh, N. G., delivered an address on
the 18th century, of which Washington was
the great light, and has realized at different
times some $4,000. The Hon. Chas. Scott.
Of Memphis, delivered another, and realized
at one time $1,000. Every State in the
Union from Maine to California has shown
lively interest in this work The latter es-
pccially has poured out her gold with lib
eral hand, having contributed $40, 300 since
Feb, last. The Masons in Vermont, the
Officers at Forts Laramie and Defiance and
the American residents at Havana have done
the same according to their ability.
But Mr. Editor, there is one exception to
this liberalty and public spirit, and that, !
am sorry to say, in one of the oldest and
wealthest States, mean our own. The
! truth must be told, that before il is too late,
the error may be corrected-that it may not
go down to posterity, this ancient and pow
erful tribe OF Israel "had no part" or only
the least part in him who was not only
! David" but a Solomon" too. In the ant.
Vernon Record" for the past year, find but
! one small list Of contributions to this object,
received by the Editor of the Bait. American
at his office on Feb. %, 1859, amounting to
1862. Havana gave three times as much.
Three years ago, learn that j. NJ. Kilgour
Of Frederick city delivered lectures in aid of
the cause in N w. Virginia and Maryland,
and raised perhaps $780,
1t may be said, that Maryland's chief city
contains the noblest marble monument ever
raised to Washington; but this project GER
tainly stands upon higher ground than that,
rs Mt. Vernon was the place Of Washington 5
highest earthly love, the shade to which he
ever Returned with delight, which he ever
left with tears. His ashes rest there, Ms he
evidently intended they should. That place
has ever since been 'the Mecca Of the nation. "
1t must remain an object Of special interest
and vencration; and shall it belong to any
private Individually Shall it pass into the
hands of mercenary spectators Shall it go
to decay and become the prey Of unprnci-
pied dcpredators7 1t hos become so to some
extent, and it was impossible to prevent ii,
as all acknowledge who are informed in re-
gard to it. The object is no more than tc
restore and preserve it; and as the purchase
money is secured, and as means for repairing
! it at this time are in hand, the good work i,
already going on. The instruments and
utensils which Washington himself purcha.
scd, are in uso for the purpose. The Oh
vault which was nearly undermined by Wis
itors who wishcd to obtain relics, is protect
cd by high fence, 600 feet of the broker
wall are repaired, aud some of the lodge
= houses rebuilt. And shall not Maryland
| virginia's nearest neighbor, lend hand t.
this work? Surely She only needs to b.
called to 1t, She will no. pretend to bav,
1 done enough for Washington, while this re-
, mains to do. She will not be the last to a
= rise and rebuild and protect the sepulchr'
of him who might have been u King, ant
who still "rules lis from his urn"
i And even we of this city, in tho extrem,
t West of the State, will surely give our full
4 proportion to the work. We are the guar
dams of the "Old Fort" Hill, which next tc
Mt Vernon, perhaps, was the scene Of til,
p,ost p,portopt pnriod IF Wasbin pton's Ii ia