The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-05-28
COLUMBIA, S. G.
Wednesday Morning, May 2s. 1878.
Refutntion OF Charges Against Miles
Cunningham, Regent OF tho nit. Vor'
non ASsoClatlon.

Caiumny, like death, loves shining
mark. "Be thou aa ohaste as ice, as
pure as snow, thou shalt not escape" it.
Many of our readers will be able to re-
oall, although several momentous years
have meanwhile elapsed, - singular
disinterestedness. zeal, perseverance, and
SUCCESS of Miss Ann PAMELA Cunning
ham, in the efforts she made by her pen
aud voice. to raise funds for the pur.
chase OF Mt. Vernon, the home of
Washington. Miss Cunningham is q
daughter OF Laurens County. in, this
State. WAS educated ct Barhamvil,e in it's
most palmy days. and was great iavorite
Of the eminent educators. Dr.: aud Mrs.
Marks. for her great application 10 study
and sucSass in iisiths' aotnmulatiop OF
knowledge. anf lfor her, .amiatas- and
lovely ohSFa6tet: which was also not; with
out som6 striking and: original traits.
The victim OF constitutional infrmity of
body, which caused lamennss,. but left
untouched and unimpaited the brilliant
mind with which she was gifted, she de-
voted her talents for several years to the
task of preventing Mt. Vernon from
passing into the hands of speculators.
Her eloquent appeals rung throughout
the land and woke the echoes in generous
responses to her patriotic and fervid
suggestions. Her letters and addresses,
originally appearing in the Guardian, OF
Ais place. and in the Charleston Courier,
were models OF terse, vigorous and
earnest writing. They excited. :admira,
tion North and Southl and thsmosement
which she inaugaIated grew into sort
OF crusade, ana the aehtinleut -os venera-
ton for the home OF the Father of his
Country revived under her magic touches
and became conseorated ID the regards
and affections OF the American people.
Distinguished writer's, captivating ora
tors, vigorous newspaper eesayists came
TO her aid and helped to popularize her
views. Edward Everett employed his
pen and used his unfisalled rhetoric in
the cause. and many whose eyes glanoe
over these lines willremember the throng
which greeted his admirable lecture on
Washington, delivered in this place.
The necessary fund was raised, the Mt.
Vernon property purchased and vested
in the Ladies' Mt. Vernon Association,
the premises placed in proper repair.
facilities afforded for visitors TO that
Mecca Of patriotism on the Potomac,
and. as was fit and eminently proper,
Miss Cunningham was made, Regent,
and constituted the hostess OF the place,
with Board of Vlce.Regents to assist
her.
There have been more than once some
exaggerated stories set aaoat to the pre-
judioe of Miss Cunningham. And more
than once, they have been dispfoved and
put at rest. Recently revived; in the
charges OF Or: Rowland, of Washing
ton City,. they have egain" been rsfuted
by committee OF visitors appointed by
the Legislature of;Vitginia toJ make the
annual visitation Following this, the
Vice Regents. in private session. have de-
olared that none of the charges against
Miss Cunningham have been sustained,
thus confirming and extending the favor
able report of the Legislative committee
Of the State of Virginia. SO We hope
these petty, Insignificant, but oalumn :
ous aud malignant charges will not be
heard ofagain soon. We feel gratifed
at this result, and. trust That Miss Cum
ningham, as the representative Of the
good and patriotic impulses OF this State
in an important and delicate position,
will continue to maintain the shining
and irreproachabe character which is
pre-. eminently hers, in the sphere in
which she is placed, and that the arrows
Of personal prejudice and sectional ram
cor will, as heretofore, fall harmless ut
her feet She has only to be consistent
with herself and true to her past.
- : = = - s------
The Crisis In France.
1t is worry easy for the excited populnco