Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-25
.WAsHNGTON1ANA.


Honoring the Memory Of washington-
Name % the Father ~ 1is Country
Has Hoen 4pplied-Interessing His
sorieai Data.
Correspondents ofTnr EVENING srA..
South MousrAm, Nd, August 20, 1888.
A large, and well conducted picnic party
| assembled at the Washington monument on
South Mountain near Boonsboro'. Washington
county, Nd. August 18th. 1883, the purpose
being to celebrate the completion Of repairs to
the monument and the opening of good road
up the mountain to it, which had been effected
at considerable cost by the citizens.
In all ages man has endeavored to perpet uate
the names Of great leaders and important events
by attaching them to conspicuous natural
objects. as mountains plains, lakes, rivers. ETC.,
or by erecting enduring monuments to their
memory. This seems to be natural impulse of
the human race, and is quite as active now as
in past ages. 1t probably originates in primitive
idea OF justice or gratitude, which, under the
| influence of civilization, develops into patrl-
ottsm and reverence. These virtues were all
blended and made conspicuous in the grand out
pouring of the citizens Of Washingtonand Fred
erick counties, alluded to above, for the purpose
o! celebrating In becoming manner the COM
pletion OF the work Of restoration of the monu-
ment erected more than half century ago by
the people of the vicinity, to the memory Of
General Washington, the patriot aud statesman,
on the summit Of South mountain and exactly
on the limo dividing the two counties. The
monument stands on the most elevated peak Of
the mountain, about half mile from and in
view OF the elegant and hospitable residence Of
Mrs. Admiral Dahlgren. This pile OF native
uncut granite, erected by voluntary contribu-
lions, commands from its top view into four
info
and Maryland-and casts its shadow into two of
the most fertile and productive counties In the
state Of Maryland
BY the operation of the elements and lapse Of
time the monument came to require repairs.
This has been accomplished by the same spirit
| OF devotion which originally erected the tower
that has so long been a conspicuous object in
the landscape of the mountain. On marble
tablet set in the side Of the spiral stairway near
| the top is inscribed: "Built in memory of George
Washington, July 4th, 1897, by the citizens Of
Boonsboro' and vicinity Rebuilt July 4th. 1892
| by the members of South Mountain Encamp-
ment, No; Is, l. O. @. F.. Boonsboro', Mary
land Ian William = Smith, Elias Cost, Jacob B.
| monument has given the people of the neigh
oorhood an opportunity to again show their
gratitude to the immortal Washington. the
| steadfast friend of the inherent rights of man.
and at the same time declare to the world their
| love OF the free institutions which he did so
much to establish. Old and young have profited
alike by the frequent recital in conversation of
| the notable incidents in the life of Washington
and in the history of the struggle for American
Independence
Love of liberty and patriotism were strong
characteristics Of the first settlers in this section
| and are molly perpetuated by their descendants
The committee in arranging for the festivities
OF the day had as speakers Gov. Hamilton
and Others: Several bands of music enlivened
the scene and a handsome pavilion for dancing
was erected near some four springs which flow
| out near the top Of the mountain.
The address of Mr. Nelson was learned and
eloquent, apd all we're patriotic and entertain
| hour.
Although it may not be news to the people of
| Washington county to be told that theirs was
the first county named in honor of General
washington; yet It is fact. and one of which
| they have reason TO be proud. The act Great
| ing the counties of Washington and Montgomery
| out of Frederick bears date September 6, 1776.
and went i4to effect on the LIST of October, the
! same year.
Washington county, Va, which is often sup
posed to have been the first named in honor of
| Washington, was created out of the county of
fincastle, by an act of the legislature, which
met October Z, 177o, and the law went into effect
| on the LIST of January. TIT.
! But the naming Of this county is not an iso-
lated Instance Of Maryland's early attachment to
Gen. Washington. Washington college. Ches-
tertown. Nd ~. vas founded by the, state of
Maryland in 17Sa. In the law creating it, the
statement is made that "The name is chosen in
honor of the illustrious commander-in-chief of
| our armies" A copy of His Excellency Cen
Washin2ton's answer to Rev. William Smith
and Peter Letherly. committee of the trustees
county, Md. and for obtaining fromGe EN- Washing
ton his consent to be one Of the trustees. and to
have the college bear his name, was written lOI
! years ago. 1t reads as follows:
"HEADQuARTERs NEwBuRa,
! 18th August, 1872
9Th ult by Col T1lghmore. who arrived here about
! ten days ago, and to whom have committed the
charge OF forwarding this answer
ITO the gentlemen who moved the matter. and
70 the assembly for accepting 1t, am much in
! debted for the honor conferred on me By giving
| my name to the college at Chester. At the same
| time that acknowledge the honor feel a CRATE
| full sensibility for the manner OF bestowing it.
which, as it will remain a monument OF theft es.
TEEN, cannot but make deep Impression on my
| mind, only to be exceeded by the hatterlng as
III the trlntng sum OF nifty guineas will be con-
sidered an earnest OF my wishes for the prosperity
to the order OF the visitors whenever it is their
pleasure to call for it. 1t is too triing to stand in
any other point OF view, nor would wish 1t to
with much pleasure would consent to have
my name enrolled among the worthy visitors and
governors OF this college: but convinced as am
| that it will never be in my power to give the at
tendance. which by law is required, my name
could only be inserted to the exclusion of some
other, whose abilities and proximity might enable
him TO become more userul member.
when that period shall arrive, when we can
pleasure to see this infant seat OF learning rising
INFO c9nsstence and proficiency In the sciences
81 have the honor to be, Rev. Sir, your most obe-
dicnt servant GEO. WASHINGTON
TO The Rep DR.. Smith, at Chester. tn Kent County,
Maryland.
(From the Remembrancer or Impartial Rspsrtory of
Public Events for 1888. part l, PIX. 266l
1t was ON the soil of Maryland and by her
citizens that the birthday of Washington was
first publicly celebrated. The 18th OF February
was then observed as his birthday and not the
I'D, as now. The Old-style notation of time in
| this matter continued until 1898, after which
the 22d was uniformly accepted. The following
Ia the published account Of the celebration re-
ferred to, copied In full:
(Fronl the Remembranoer Imbortant Rerestory n
Public Events for the year 17SS. Part a pg. Sal