The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-23
WooDsFIElD MONROE COUNTY OHIO MAY g. l86o

10, MAY 23, 1861.
to the Coast Survey department, then to
the Smithsonian Institute, then to the
Presidents House, where we were kindly
received by M. Buchanan. One of our
delegation made short speech to which
Mr.. Buchanan replied in happy manner
after which We were separately introduced
to him. We were not a little surprised
to see the President appear so old. He
shows at least fifteen years older than we
iexpected; though he says his health is
good. ausst 3ls
From the White House we went to
Corcoran's celebrated gallery of paintings
and statuary, where we had the pleasure
of seeing among hundreds of other inter.
esting things Powers original Greek
Slave. From here we went to Mills
equestrian statue of Washington, which,
whatever critics may say, is certainly a
noble work of art. Leaving here We Wis.
tied the national observatory, from which
place we went to the boat which the rail-
road company had chartered to convey us
to Mt. Vernon. aa.a g"
/ A pleasant ride of fourteen miles
brought us opposite Mount Vernon. 1t
was apparent even from the river that the
buildings weresin sadly dilapidated con.
ldition. A nearer approach to the old
mansion showed the timbers to be rotting,
and the porch roof to be almost ready to
fall. Everything showed neglect. AT
every turn some person, generally q ne
gro, was stationed to prevent visitors from
1plucking the wild flowers or twigs from
evergreens. If visitor, even when in
the woods, attempts to take leaf from q
tree, some darkey exclaims, "dont do that
sir; don't do that, if you please"
In sundry places men, women and chill.
dren are stationed to sell rude sticks fol
canes; some of them have Autographs o.
the tomb, the house, or of Washington
himself, to sell at exhorbitant prices.
Winding up the ascent we came to the
tomb Of the Immortal" where all invol
UNFAIRLY paused. We felt that we were
standing near the remains of the creates
man God ever made. One cannot bu
feel his patriotism burn with brighter
glow, as, standing at this sacred spot, hi
mind reverts back to the times when tn,
heroes of the Revolution met here to coun
Gil together. When Lafayette and Greer
and Morgan and Gates and Lee surrounded
thetero who was as much above them in hi
comprehensive wisdom and the sublim
purity OF his character as in the rega
majesty of his stature. ,
}, After spending couple of hours view
ing the scenery, and the objects of inter
r est about the house--the Key of the Bas
till, the old arm chair, Washington's oil
. 6eld glass, &C., the party returned to tn
f boat. On the boat meeting was he'll
) and the following resolutions passed:
/ Resolved, That we tender our thank
, to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany and its officers for the invitation
the hospitalities of the company, the kin
: fattention of the officers, and for the op
portunities and facilities afforded Us {
!. seeing that great work and witnessing tn
z bold and picturesque scenery and th
I places Of greatest interest alorg theIlint
That the weather being good, the car
fine, all the arrangements complete. an
Q everything favorable. they viewed wit
8 much curiosity. and often with deep intel
!. est, the lofty peaks. the deep gorges, th
!. mountain streams, the wild aud cragg
: cliffs, and the bold and striking outlin,
: cf the great Allegheny range Of the moul
n tains, as well as the extensive cutting
9 aGd massive. masonry of the great tunne
. in passing through and ucder the loft
mountain peaks from the valley of OF
: stream to another--the noble viaducts an
= the winding road bed made for miles alor
o the craggy cliffs of the Cheat River va
!. ley-a portion of the way nearly thr'
% hundred feet above the river, and in mar
). places supported by solid masonry-th
portion Of the country presenting grest
! obstacles to the enterprise than any 9th
ID over which such road was ever made
l. the work and its surroundings all beir
upon majestic aRd magnificent scale.
:. Resolued. That we regard the Baltimo
- and Ohio Railroad as one of the mobiles
'r most useful, and enduring monuments
n the high civilization and science of Il
p 19th century. and as one of the create
10 and most stupendous works of induslr
science and art which man hasever ACHE
ed, and, for comfort and safety, it cam,
10 be exceeded BY any road in the country.
81 Rssolved. That we hereby, also, tend
is our thanks to the officers of the connec
% ing lines and boats, who joined in the in,
\ \.