The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-06-21
Visit to Mount Vernon.


correspondence OF the DealOcFdNc 1drocdte.
WAsHISdroS, D. C., June 18th, 1879.
Nesas. Editors On Wednesday. June II.
1879, made my first visit to Mount Yer
non. left this city in company with Mrs.
Cole and my granddaughter, Julia j. Cole,
at 10 O'Clock, u. M, and arrived at Mount
Vernon at high noon. We had delightful
sail down the Potomac with refreshing
breeze in our faces. 1t is true it was a hot
morning, but that breeze mitigated the intense
heat. When the "W. W. Corcoran' reached
the wharf, we left the boat and assembled the
hill on gravel walk that brought us imme.
diately ia front Of the newly constructed
"Nanlt.m Looking through the grated door
we could distinctly see the sarcophagna con.
tanning the remains OF the distinguished pa
triot, also another sarcophague, IN which re-
posed the dust of his beloved Martha Wash
ington. As stood therel felt solemn and rev.
erential To uncover my head in the presence
Of such honored dust was the first impulse Of
my heart, which did. As proceeded from
the vault towards the old mansion Of the re.
nowned patriot and ilustrions warrior, felt
as If | were treading on holy ground. The
words which the Lord spake to Moses, in
view Of the burning bush, came wildly to my
mind And He said, "Draw not nigh hither:
put off thy shoes from off thy feet for the
place wherein thou standest is holy ground
felt that ! ought to 90 barefoot treading
where Washington often walked.
| When we reached the dwelling, old as il
was, the ladies OF the supervising committee
had every thing in perfect order. We were
conducted by j. NJ. Holliogsworth, Esq, SD
periniendent, and perfect Mary land gentle
man, from room to ROOM. He explained
. Il y -
When we entered the chamber where the
great chiettain slept aud died, was emphat.
ically impressed, could not keep my hands
of the bed post. IL could not shake hands
with the illustrious dead, wanted to touch
something on which he slept and breathed his
last Standing in that chamber, felt new
inspiration Of patriotism | love every stnr
and bar Of our national escaicheon more than
ever. Old as | am, IL a foreign foe was to
invade our nations rights ] would enlist, il /
knew | would fall in the FIRST battle.
/ When we had satisfied our CURIOSITY ia
! viewing the various articles ia that apartment
we assembled to the room Immediately above,
where his beloved Martha shut herself in and
secluded herself from the cay and busy world.
No person entered that room, whilst she
lived, except an old domestic servant FROM
the window Of that attic Mrs. Washington
could look down on the old yamlt where first
the remains Of Gen. Washington rested, till
the new one was built felt peculiarly i'm
pressed while standing there, where one Of
the lovliest and sweetest women gave M her
soul to God and to Christ. A hole was cut
in the lower part Of the door leading into that
room for the entrance and exit Of tayorite
pet cat
] looked into the room where Lafayette
slept when on visit 10 Mount Vernon, and
thus passed from room 70 room, and even
went into the kitchen. The garden is SPLEEN
did--full OF bloom and beauty and fragrance.
The grounds around the old mansion are YER
dant and beautiful, and reflect great credit
on the superintendent, Mr.. Hollingswogth,
From the portico, IN front Of the dwelling,
you see the waters Of the noble river rolling
inst at the foot of the hill, and beyond the
river 'sweet6elds stood drest in living green.
We looked into the old vault as we passed
along, now vacant aud fofsalxen, aud vet a
sigh would come. Afier we had ceased our
wanderings and investigations, we sat down
near the garden gate, beneath the thick foil
age OF a noble tree, which the generous
Washington had planted for our acrommo.
daiion before lee irere born. There We lun.
cheoned
Hyou find the fires Of patriotism burning
iow IN your bosoms, 60 10 Mount Vernon,
stand before the vault ofihe mighty dead. and
then enter his sleeping aud dying apartment,
and, II you do not feel fame Of patriotic
hire rekindled 10 your soul, you do notdeserve
10 be called a Democratic Republican.
/ ~ o'clock we embarked for the city Of
/ Washington, Just as we started dark and
lowering cloud came rolling up from the west
and accompanied usall alongtka western hori-
zop, with vivid flashes Of lightning and ter
| rife peals Of th1nder. Down came the rain
! in torrents, The wind blew violently, and YET
/ The wases Of tho Potomac we're but little dis.
turbed. The w W. CoEeopaa's moved ma
jesiically and proudly, and safely brought ns
to the wharf By ave o'clock we we're sitting
at our own table, ia our coy home. at The
corner Of 4lh street and Virginia Avenue,
where should be happy to see you at any
iimc.
Yours truly, Isaac ColH.