The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-06-18
MOUNT VERNON.

It's present NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 0Y
Relic Hunters, &c. fr :
From the Washington Chronicle, June loI
with pleasant party q sss ,n on tho Young
seventh street, bound for Mount Vernon. ss' tr
The band of the Veteran Reserve corps Of twenty per
formers, struck up the famous Soldiers March from
Faust and the misty hills and verdurous slopes Of tho
sllvery Potomac echoed back the Joyous strains
The sweet peaceful shores and hilsdes tat arise IN
river Of Washington have scarcely had justice done 10
them in the past They deserve TO be far better
peace that il now upon us After pleasant trip Of
about an hour and a half, passing the venerable
t a here spress out @
lakelike expansc, enclosed in broczy Northumberland
in sight OK the portico Of the homo Of Washington
In letter written by him to Oliver Wocott In 1871 he
says:''ro make aud sell little flour annually, to re-
pair houses fast going TO run to build one for the secu
" of my papers OF public nature and to amuse myself
in agric tura and rural pursuits viii constitute employ
ment for the few years have 70 remain on this errcs
trial globe" HR
than anything We can read or hear OF him His stately
presence hauns the spot like glorious memory Of the
past The house and grounds have been so often de-
scribed both by the pen and pencil that everything
about thom Ia as familiar to newspaper readers any
description can hope to make them In order that
the sacred sad Influences may be fe however, the place
must DO visited and aeon.
II formerly the custom for all vessels passing
Mount Vernon Toll their bella custom which, II Il
has fallen INTO desuctude tss to be the should
be revived; custom more honored in the Observance
than In tho breach. There IL poetry in il. -
Following tho winding road UP fhe hllsde from the
river bank pause solemny a humble brick tomb,
amid ovcrhanging trees and shrubberes All visitors
in approaching this hailowed spot tnsnctrey remove
their hats and conversation Is hushed 20 low whispers
for within that plan unpretending vault as you gaze
marble ssrcopSasss which holds the mouldcriag duet
| In which lived the soul Of Washington. "But
Washington is not here said some one in sad low
tone, as he turned to walk away. MON IL est partou9'
replied gray haired old Frcnchman in the party with
reverential awe lie Is everywhere.
The house and two hundred acres Of the ground now
tn Iadcs' Mount Vernon whose
behalf Edward Everett made SO many noble addresses,
and raised such liberal sum II has. all through the
four years of civil ringing around IT, been sacred
neutral ground If visited by national or rebel soldiers
equally respected by both, who stacked arms before On
! tering the grounds and house.
Mr. HERBERT who has charge Of the property for the
Ladies' Association lanents that they have no longer
funds to keep the place IN tho good condition and ords
with which TO keep up the improvements, and depend
altogether upon the small fee expected Of visitors to make
the necessary repairs and maintain the grounds In order
Under the circumstances II looks pretty we'll though
| not what II should be- and could DO made with more
liberal outlay Tho government, at the request Of the
| persDns having charge Of II, has detailed q guarc
Of lieutenant and twenty TO maintain order and
prevent depredaons. And, by the by, thoy comp aiu
| who seem TO have perfectly uncomfortable mania fol-
trophies and mementoc. These wrcches should remem
S1 lSs 9s sab
| spells Of their infamy and vandalism.
This mania for relics seems 10 be widespread mental
disease Of the present day manifesting itself in the
strangcs most fantastic and ofttimes reprehensibs
ways While tho superintendent was speaking Of thi
subject the young lieutenant TO say that one Of
excnrsonists had been TO cut piece on the bed
stead in the upper room, IN which General Washington
died. Being late in tho afternoon the dmncss and Oh
security prevented his being identified Such things
| dlsgracefu TO Americans Only two or three
| Weeks ago another fellow Of this class defaced the
beautiful marble manel In the dining hall BY
| breaking or and stealing-ycs, let NJ call
| stealing-one OF the carved ornaments IL woult
| DO well TO put the few remaining mementocs IL
the under glass case In the Patent ONCE
halls In order prevent their theft or gradual dcsruc
ton by these fsnatical hunters OF relcs Is the only
method by which they DO saved, ~ visitors 20
Mount Vernon In such crowds that Is Impossible u
| watch them all.
soldier has been placed beside the beautiful magno
Tia tree planted by Washington the buffers house
the only now the estate bearing this honoror
would probably be cut 20 pieces or stripped OF all III
leaves The tree planted by the Prince Of Wales In 1861
near the tomb we forgot 10 inquire about The great
grandson OF George III planting an oak at the grave OF
| Washington must have been q strange and suggestive
| historic picture
BY the ebbing Of the tide our boat was detained al
Mount Vernon TIL midnight the landing not being very
good that those OF the party who could feel the sen
tmon OF the place had excellent opportunity OF ram
bling in the brilliant moonlight among the groves and
woodlands whore the majestic steps OF the Father OF the
Republic had often loved TO roam, gazing perhaps afar
a. we did upon the white and shimmering river, tbs
dim, shadowy shores or watching the white sails o
. s.l.ns sAv4