The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-21

osbo0tiou. 4t Wao 6lSucu a. oOuGu6IQ
Matron. ":and every one supposed it was
written BY married lady Of mature
years. Through the influence Of Miss
Pamela Cunningham, the Hon. Edward
EYeratt waa enlisted in the cause, and
bis oration on the life and character OF
Washington, which he delivered all over
the United States. brought to the asso.
citation $50. 600 or $70, 600. Private sub.
scriptions, procured by The untiring
energy and zeal OF the fnir "Southern
matron," from the South, North, East
and West, made up tho necessary sum
to make tile purchase. During NIL this
time, this remarkable and extraordinary
daughter was in extreme i'll health, aud
her nhysicians told her that if she per-
severed in heI labore. it would be fatal
to her. Bat she expressed willingness
to die in 30 noble an undertaking.
When the association was organized
by the ladies' OF the United States. Miss
Pamela, who had accomplished the
great work suggested by her mother,
was unanimously elected President OF
tho association and forced to accept the
position. She removed to Mount Yer
non and received the applause and we'll
done OF grateful people. The civil
Wal SuElo OuS auo Will IL SeUtiOQuI
preludiccs and hatred. There were
those in the North, WHO, on seeing u
South Carolina lady presiding at Mount
Vernon, felt like Haman seeing Mortc-
Cal sitting at the Kings gate. and vented
their vile feelings in base calumny and
slander. With thut proud spirit which
belongs to her family and country, na
we'll as her own nature, this true and
noble hearted young lady resigned her
exalted position and returned to her ia
tive home in South Carolina, her
health and hcr fortune wrecked in the
cause of her country, aud her own noble
purpose Of carrying out the patriotic
suggestion OF her mother. Bat history
will do her justice, and as said to her
some years ago in tho city Of Washing
ton, cher namo will DC associated, in all
time to como, with that of the fnther OF
his country" This is glory and honor
enough to have won for any fair maiden
lady of tho South.
Little did Mrs. Cunningham think,
when she made her suggestion to her
invalid daughter, that sho was imposing
on her task so herculean-a labor Of
twenty years, which would bring her to
deaths door, and leave her almost pen
niless, while the vile slander of base
Yankee neighbor, casting for time n
cloud over her pure and spotlcss life.
her public-spirited and patriotic SER
vices and her sensitive womanly nature.
The mother anticipated nothing of this,
but thought only Of the national rc.
proaoh. Tho grave of Washington fall
ing into the hands of spectators and
showmen! She felt. too, for her own
family. Their blood, mixed with that
of the Washingtons, lay in that sacred
vault.
Captain Robert Cunningham, .hc
husband of Mrs. Louisa Cunningham,
was gentleman Of education and lite.
rary taste. He read law with John G.
Calhoun, and was one of his fuvarite
pupils. But being gentleman of very
large fortune, he abandoned his pro.
fession and devoted himself to planting.
Once or twice he served the people Of
Laurcns in tho Legislature. 1t is we'll
known that his family were a!l loyalists
III the revolutionary war, but MS he once
said to Col. W. g. Preston, "History
does not accuse them" They were
officers under the British Governmen.
at the breaking out Of the revolution
and adhered to their allegiance. The
fnther Of Captain Cunningham was
Deputy Surveyor General of the Pro.
vinco under Sir Egcrton Leigh. His
uncle Robert Cunningham was b-iga-
dier' general in the British service
John Cunningham, another brother,
held some appointment under the royal
government. In speaking of the Gun
nipghams of the revolution, l remem-
hcr to havo heard the Hon. Samuel
Earle, who was gallant Whig officer iu
the war. and knew every land-holder
above Columbia, say that there wore not
three moro worthy and respectable gen
tlcmcn in the upper country than the
three Cnnninghans have mentioned.
But suppose the leaders OF the revo-
luton in South Carolina conld have
forescen the present condition Of their
descendants, living under the govern
ment of their former slaves, lei on by
rognish carpet baggors and scnlnwags,
would they have rebellcd? Sooner
would tho Gadsdens. Pinckneys. Eliots,
Hugcrs, Marions, Sumtcrs nnd Pick
enses have fallen on their swords, like
Old Romans, than have brought such
isnominy on their country and dc.
scendants.
The death OF Mrs Cunningham WIS
sad in one respect. She had just re-
turned to her desolate home, where, III