Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-08

THE WESTMINSTER ABBEY OF AMERICA.

IhE HGoA oAmlNoIEh ADDE1 Vt AMEhlOA'
r When the plan for buying Mount Vernon was
first suggested, the writer brought forward m
idea which was copied into numerous papers
with much tacit or expressed approval, but
which never reached any practical results. 1t
was 10 make Mount Vernon the Westminster Abbey
Of America. Circumstances in two different die
reclions have given fol co and emphasis to this
idea, which we beg leave 10 revive.
before mentioning these two directions, we
observe that everything ought to have n palp ble
use. Everything in nature has. Nothing is
beautltul, or impressive, or grand or sublime,
for the sake OF these emotions, but the aesthetic
in them is developed in their use. A Niagara
is not created simply TO be majestic, but it is
majestic in its purpose Every sunset cloud has
its use, ocean is sublime in its high purpose,
and the heavens do not contain star which
shines for the sake alone Of shining. Westmiu-
ster Abbey is itself grand structure, but how
much more grand in its purposel When some
high utility, some sublime purpose, and some
rich beauty can be combined in one object, We
have then noble combination indeed.
The tomb Of Washington is at Mount Vernon.
Would 1t desecrate that shrine to bury Lyon at
his feet, and reverently to lay Baker by the side
of Lyon? Do We not need consecrated ground
in which to lay Winfield Scott when that gigan-
tic frame has yielded up its noble tenant2
1t is very far from our idea that many graves
should be made at Mount Vernon. We would
place it as the high distinction Of the glorious
few. We would make il Synonymous with the
idea of hero to say of man, "he was buried
at Mount Vernon" The grave of the great
Washington should ever be the centre of that
hallowed spot, itself the consecrating power
But there we would lay the very lew, perhaps
twelve or twenty in ull, who have yet 80 mingled
themselves with history as to stir the nations
heart. When there is one whose name, wherever
it is mentioned, brings silence upon all compa-
MOS, and moistens every eye; when there is q
name that binds all our couutfymen together ms
a common heritage, and that kiudles every Anne
rican heart a foreign shore, we would bury
him at Mount Vernon, Let this privilege he
saoredly guarded; require, perhaps, an act Of
Congress to accord it; very solemnly let tie
dead body of the hero be made the guest of the
nation forever-still we cannot but think that
NEVER had people such an opportunity for in
auguraiing sublime ceremonial.
We are now creating history and forming
heroes. There never has been such war, aud
its consequences must be unparalleled. We have
no titles to give, no legion of honor to confer,
we do not even place an olive wreath on the
brow of living hero. Would 1T be too much
to claim his dust, that we might lay it beside
Washington?
This is one reason for reviving our idea-that
re are creating men whom the world "will NOT
willingly let die" There is another reason
1t would strengthen the Union, by binding us all
together Virginia is not dead but sleepeth. =
sihe will yet pour out tears of sorrow at the
feet Of Washington We woald place together
the glorious dust Of North and South who have
risen above all local ties and sacrificed them
selves for America.
There IN ilustrious dust in the Congressiona
burying ground. But it is not felt to be a sacred
spot, aud hence friends remove their dead bodies
TO distant cemeteries. Should not Webster cont
from Massachusetts, and Clay from Kentucky
and Henry from Virginia to repose together BY
the Potomac So few that we could remember
oil their names 30 ilustrious that men woult
come from the banks of the Severn and thi
Tweed, the Rhine, the Volga, and the Tiber, tt
see their graves, so honored that every schoobo,
would whisper his aspiration to repose as d.
ihey-such would we have the buried Mt Noun
Vernon.
There is a beautiful dea in some verses quote,
by the poet Keats. One lady friend addresse
another on the subject of their devoted friend
ship, which had lasted their life long she dc
sir0s it to be perpetuatel in their tomb. Th
aulhoress was friend of Jeremy Taylor. Sh
writes in lines of noble beauty and simplicity
We quote but one stanza, which contains III
sentiment of which we are in search -
A dew shall dwell upon our tomb
of such Aquaty
That fighting armies hitler
Shall reeOnciied be.
In some other civil war, centuries hence
might not our armies hesitate to fight over th
precious dust gathered at Mount Vernon? A
ii grew more and more rich with gathered mem
cries, would it not be one Of those symbols Q
Union that like our flag and our National songs
though impalpable, are yet most powerful?