The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-04-01
Spots which Should be Sacred.

Ih6 world pays respect 10 the memory
of the illustrious dead. The objects that
were dear to them in life, and the homes
in which they moved, and were modelled af-
ter their ideas of the beautiful and for their
love, become to the living, sacred are guard
ed with jealousy and clothed with rever-
entail charm. To the American people,
Mount Vernon, the home Of Washington
will ever be dear. AS we pay homage to
the memory Of the noble chieftain, so we
honor his home, and regard it as even too
sacred for the thought Of sacrilegious
wrong. In the commencement Of the re-
bellion, that ablest of Generals, the vener-
able Winfield Scott, issued an order that
Mount Vernon should receive the protec-
tion of the Federal armies, and that no Off
Ger, or soldier, under any pretext, should
desecrate the soil by single act of despol-
iation. 1t was noble ORDER and showed
how deeply the memory of Washington was
reverenced by the veteran, war-worn Gener-
al. Nearly four years have elapsed since
then, and Mount Vernon has stood bright
peaceful spot, around which the turbulent
waves of sea of fierce warfare have roll
ed. Its vicinity has been in possession Of
both Federal and Confederate armies, aud,
whether the gray-clad, or the blue-uniform-
ed soldier wandered through the grand old
shades, the memory Of the illustrious dead
was always sufficient to insure to it protec-
tion. The visitor, while musing in solitude
in the home of Washington, has often been
startled by the distant murmurs borne to
his ear of the fierce clash of arms and the
angry roar Of battle, yet the shock passed,
and Mount Vernon remained as peaceful
and as free from despoliation as BEFORE
The very thought of Washington awes the
mind and calls for respect and homage to
all things sacred to his memory. This re-
spect for the memory of Americas llustri-
Gus dead should inspire us on all occasions.
By their genius and teachings the destiny
of nation has been shaped, and to them
we owe our greatness as free and prosper
GUS people. Their sayings have become
household words, and their homes, in which
they lived, moved and passed the happiest
moments Of life, should be held sacred so
long as thought OF them remains. The
military and civil athorities should co-ope-
rate in furnishing protection to such homes,
and every exertion should be made to pre-
serve them from the ravages of war. 1t is
deeply painful to see spot of this kind
given up to despoliation. We would much
rather behold it falling into natural decay,
for then, at least, the grandeur Of the ruins
would remain, and we could moralize:
Thou art mans monitor, thou ruin hoary,
TO tell how like q shadow is his glory.
Several days ago we spent few brief
hours iu the beautiful city of Lexington
and paid visit to that classic spot dear to
Kentuckans, and sacred TO the people OF
| America Ashland, the home of the sage
h,a for ho off Ae
we gazed upon the broad, rich lands, rev.
erential feeling stole over US, and the mind
was busy with thoughts of the past This
then, was the home of Henry Clay, whose
eloquence fired great people, and swayed
the destinies of q nation. Here was the
retreat where he had spent the more quiet
scenes of his life, and gathered around him
objects and forms Of love. The drive lead
ing up to tlfe house wound through stately
evergrecns, which half sheltered the man
sion from view. The old house has disap-
peared and on its ruins has been erected a
stylish edi6ce of modern structure 1t is
imposing, but robs the premises of the Sc
cusion and quiet beauty that should belong
| to them. With half-formed regret that
| the old house had not been held moro sa-
| cred, we passed on, and soon were lost in
the beauties of the broad woodlands. The
branches of the stately trees were bare,
| and the brown leaves rustled beneath our
feet, as mournfully sighed the Autumn
| breeze. The woods were full of sadness,
although the sun shone brightly, and the
plumage of birds was made brilliant in the
| fulness of the rays The spirit Of Henry Clay
seemed to dwell with the grand old shades,
and weep for the desolation Of this fair
country. Slowly we wandered, and as we
looked around We rejoiced that the memo
ry of the sage was sufficient to preserve
Ashland from the most violent ravages OF
the rude hand of war.-LoMSciUe Journal.