The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-11-15
An Appeal.
EpGEwooD, November lst,

ip"E"ooD, NOVemDer ISL, 1908.
To the lIomcn Of South Curoiina:
GA the first of May, of the present
year, as Vice. Regent for our State in
the Ladies' Mt. Vernon Association"
made nm appeal to your patriotism, ask.
ing your assistance in the effort to raise
funds to ''restore" and furnish the Caro-.
lima Room in tho mansion of Washing.
ton, Mt Mt. Vernon. / organized by ap.
pointing as far as could Lady Mana.
ger in each County, by and through
whom the contributions could be for.
wardcd to Mayor Courtcnay, of Charles.
ton. Since that time, tho following
sums have been gratefully received and
acknowledges
Mrs. Sheppard, on account Edgefeld,
S5S, 45 !; Mrs. Bacon. on account Rich.
land, Sl3l06; Mrs. Perry, on account
Grecnville. $lG5.G5; Mrs. Withcrspooa,
on account York, $l9.45; Mrs. Munro,
on account Union, SGS.l5; Mrs. Murray,
on account Anderson, S73.25; Mrs.
| Means OF account Spartsn5mrg, $ll2,S5
Mrs. George Beach, Of Hartford, Conn,
in memory Of Ann Pamela Cunningham,
the inspiration and first Regent of the
Mt. Vernon Association, $4,000. Total,
S648S6.
have also encouraging promises from
Charleston, Abbevillc, Fairfield and
other Districts. The general result so
fur might seem discouraging, but can.
not so regard it, knowing as I do the
obstacles in the way Of such work, and
the many demands on the time and en-.
ergies of Southern women in the new
and trying order of their own domestic
lives. The response has been most gen.
erous, and in thanking the Lady Mana.
gers and the people of these Districts
who have already acted, l feel an earnest
hope that their fair ard honorable ex.
ample will be followed throughout the
State. The time in which we have the
privilege of securing this historic room
to South Carolina grows short. A few
months must decide whether we retain
it, or whether it lapse to Rhode Island,
one of the original thirteen States.
Hence it is that appeal once more to
your, patriotism, and to your energy.
Surely it is an object worthy of accom-
plishment-the having our State identi.
lied in manner worthy of her history
and renown with the home of Washing
ton. So, that the thousands and thou.
sands of visitors from all parts of the
world, who annually repair to Mt. Yer.
non % do homage to "America's great
heir OF fame, her dearest son Of nOblest
memory" may no longer behold as the
one blcmish on the beauty and harmony
of his home, the room over which is
written South Carolina. 1t now presents
forlorn and neglected appearance. A
recent visitor thus described it in letter
to leading newspaper:
"The uncared for condition of the
South Carolina room is q source Of con-
slant comment to the strangers who daily
make pilgrimnges to the lonely home OF
The Father of his Country nestled
among the blue hills Of the Old Domin-
ion, overlooking the historic Potomac.
Since rooms have been allotted to the
different States, patriots in each State
have exerted themselves to procure
means to restore them, and now the
room of every State, save South Caroli-
na, has been iapainted, refrescoed, and
provided wi,L furniture. Handsome
paintings adorn the walls Of tho large
Banquet Hall in the East wing, belong
:as :: Nc" yc:k Maa-ach..e..s, PERI:
sylvania, and others Of the original thir.
teen States have had their rooIus prop.
erly and handsomely arranged with
modern and antique furniture, and even
the States of the far West, tina: have not
been 30 fortunate as to secure rooms,
have sent emblematic coats. .of.arms, in.
scribed with their names, to the aged
mansion, To show their veneration for
our first President. This, apartment,
which was Washington's Family dining
room, is now provided with marble
centre table, o: modern riahc, smallu,
table in the Southwest corner, pointing
towards the tomb, ia-go mohair sofa,
three stuffed chairs, of different make,
and two smaller chairs, one cushioned,
| and the other an American cane bottom.
A large sideboRrd of extremely ancient
| make stands near tho door opening into
the hall, and on it are two curious silver
and knife cases. Ten pictures and en-.
cravings hang upon the walls. The
floor is covered with soiled and much
worn mating, and instead of rug, an
ungainly piece Of oil cloth is spread in
front OF the fire.place-the ancient an.
dirons are kept filled with oak and pine
wood, the favorite fuel Of Washington.
The fireplace is never used, for the man.
sion is now heated by flues during the
winter months. The paint on the vain.
scotting and tall ancient-looking black
mantle Is, in many places, scaled off by
the ravages of time. The only articles
now in the room which were there during
Washington's life, are the sideboard and
silver and knife cases, which stood then
exactly where they now stand, conven.
| lent to the table in the centre of The
room. The dilapidated condition Of this
room Ia in striking contrast with the gor.
geous appearance Of the Georgia room
adjoining it. This room was the favorite
indoor resort Of Washington. It is very
conspicnonsly situated, and Il properly
fitted up would attract much attention
and be credit to the State"
You can understand that "this condi.
ton of our room" has been a source oi
extreme modification to me, as the rep.
resentative of the State in the Associa.
| ton. Year after year the Regent and
Vice. Regents in Council have generously
failed to press its restoration" because
OF my hesitancy TO make demand On
our impoverished people for the necessa.
ry funds. The time has arrived, howev.
er, when we must rehabilitate 1t, or give
it up finally. Which? It rests with
you. If you have the will, you have the
power. You, whose enthusiasm of State
love and State pride, has melted fal
greater deeds-deeds Of unparalleled
daring and heroism. You, whose cour
age aud constancy and for.itude. has
given new, holier meaning to the 80.
cred word C6untry-a fresh splendor Ia
all the highest virtues of womanhood
There is no height your devoted, unset.
fish patriotism cannot, will not, reach
| No duty, however small tovards vour