Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-07-10
MOUNT VERNON.
The Home Of Washln gton.
~. II. Randall in Chronicle and Cons,itu.
tionalst.I

WASHINGTON, june 23.--I am ashamed
to say that, up to Saturday last, in spite of
many opportunities, had never visited
Mount Vernon. On Saturday morning,
however, at tho express invitation of Mrs.
Plokens, Yioe-Regent for South Carolina,
party OF US determined to make amends
for all past neglect to the mighty shade of
George Washington Assembling on board
the swift and elegant steamer W. ". Cor
coran, wo were soon gliding by many spots
either of historical importance or command
ing beauty. The first object to attract at.
tention is the United States Arsenal, the
grounds Of which are arraycd with more
than tho glory Of Solomon. Over it's fair.
est features there is shadow that can
never bo banished, for hero it was that
Mary Surralt, an innocent woman, was
judicially asaassinated by Stanton, Johusou
and Holt. That dreadful crime clincs to
it like an anathema. Several Government
and railway stations arc passed, and then
"o come to Alexandria, which is finished
town, but not quito dead enough to have
some Virginia Colonel Jones sings its re.
QUEEN. In the days Of Washington Alex.
andria was not to be sneered at, The
Father Of his Country here performed his
religious and Masonic rites, and here. to,. he
cast bis first and lust votes. Alexandria
barely missed being the capital of the
Union, the high tone of Washington pre-
venting what might seem to be partially for
Virginia Tho old hero, proydcntially
perhaps, little dreamed how much was to
depend upon that punctiliu of his, especially
in the era of lS60.6l. 1t would take
many sheets Of paper and much space TO
record the memorable deeds that attach to
this venerable town, from Braddook's do.
ieat TO tho shooting of Col. Ellsworth.
Tho warehouses arc mainly deserted, the
mills idle and tho wharvcs dilapidated; only
spasm Of vitality remains in the coal trade
and the tenaoity with which some of tho
"tirst families" cling to their ancient shrines
where momory sits in funeral weeds and all
but that oracle is dumb. I smiled to sec
over one store that fronts the river, the sign
of "Washington & Co., Grocery and Com
mission Merchants" IT was equal to tho
famous inscription of "Mirobeau, Draper
and Taylor But how much worthier is
this honest way of securing livelihood
than dying like tho Prinoo Imperial of
Franco at tho hands of blaokamoors fight.
ID W. s"e't ho"Cp3 VI Ilh6 tHS IflDC6 OF
Orange in tho lap Of harlotry.
Leaving Alexandria, we reach Fort
Washington, on old stone fort, which did
not stop the British in 1874 and is utterly
useless except as comfortable quarters for
snoh parts of the army as are not fighting
Indians, pursuing moonshiners or dancing
the German in this city. From this point
there ~ an excellent view of Mount Vernon,
which is reached in few minutes, the toll
ing Of the bell announcing that faot. The
approach to tho wharf is through very shal-
low wator. A rather rough road for vehi-
oles leads up to the Mansion, which is stu.
ated upon bluff two hundred feet high.
A smooth and oommodious foot path runs
more directly to tho top of the aoolivity.
Midway tho height is tho tomb, little
distant from which droops the willow that
once grow over the grave of Napoleon, at
st. Helene. The Superintendent has
promised me, as a special favor, a outtipp
OF this tree, and 1 propose giving it to my
good friend, Mr.. Bessman, for perpetual
preservation in Augusta. The tomb is
plain brick structure, built according to
Washngton's instructions. A. double cate
Of iron prevents intrusion, but admits to
fgll WOW tho marble saroophagi, containing
tho romrains of George and Martha Wash
iiuIgton. That Of the lady is perfectly
plain. The other is elaborately embossed
upon the top with the GOAT of arma of tba