Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-07-11
ALEXANDRIA.
from tho st. Louis Republican.

From tho st. Louis Republlcan.I
A native of Alexandria, Va, living now
across the river, has had old memories
freshened by the unfeeling remarks of a
correspondent of one of our esteemed con.
temporaries, and writes this letter:
ALTON, ILL.,, June d. Editor ST. Louis
Republican What strange feelings are
awakened when, after long years, we turn
to treasured memories, seeking their sacred
memorials. Gore the pleasures, lika the
present and tomorrow. The shifting tides
of trade, the war and railroads did it.
IL requires no effort 10 loosen native
Alexandrian's tongue" They scorn sensa-
tionalism and exaggeration; they are digni-
fed and refined, and are the representatives
of the best blood of the Old Dominion. 1t
is one of the enigmas of the day to mark
how little changed are the native residents;
with them religion, politics and patriotism
have always meant one and the same thing.
"rhey still long for the good old days be-
fore the war"
As one in a dream the past is brought
back into the present; its many years seem
to have vanished as vision. The good old
days are missing, and we cannot find them.
Where are they gone?
If that old clock, which once struck the
hours in Washington's home, could speak,
how many tales it would tell of ancient
grandeur, of courtly danes and gallant cav
alters, of Old Dominion dinners and old Vir-
ginia reels, land wit that We'd in briliancy.
with the sparkle of the rare old Wines" The
past loomed up before us with golden dreams.
tinted with the rainbow of promise. To-day
those dreams lie buried in the past. We
wish our names to be enrolled side by side
| with the distinguished Of earth. We want
to act we'll our part, not through the jaun-
diced glasses of prejudice, ever leaving the
result to that Great Being who "tempers the
wind to the shorn lamb" and who giveth to
the ravens their food.
| Various "reminiscences of Washington are
connected with various localities ofthe town.
The town and Washington came together
into active life The first colony was Belle
Haven, where Alexandria now stands.
| Washington's home whenin Alexandria was
on the south side of Cameron street, not far
| from the old Carey House, and not quite
two squares from Christ church Tho ole
| house being considered unsafe, was torn
much Of it was carried away to be preserved
as mementoes.
MANY years ago, when l loved TO wander
through the old Alexandria museum, and
have Capt. Mumford tell me what relics be-
longed to Gen. Washington, he said: Here
is o letter written by Gen. Washington to
several gentlemen in Alexandria only one
month before he passed away"
Here is copy of the letter:
MOUNT VERNON, Nov. 12 1799.-GENTLEMEN :
| Mrs Washington and self have been honored with
your polite invitation to the assemblies in Alex
andrla this winter, and thank you for this mark
| of your attention. But alas our dancing days
| arc no more We wish, however, all those whose
relish for SO agreeable and innocent amusement
remains, all the pleasure the season will ailord
| them. | am, gentlemen, your most obedlent and
| Obliged humble servant,
| GEORGE WASHINGTON.
"Alexandria's greatness has gone, but we
do reverence her past"
The native Alexandrian deals with the
questions and facts of life as they really are.
What can be done, and is worth doing they
do. They discard the idea that little things
are unimportant, and that great things only
are worthy of their best thoughts aud en-
deavors. During the war of 1872, British
sergeant of marines, who had fought under
the Dukes of York, Wellington and Bruns-
wick, swore that no American should take
him alive During an engagementhe he killed
an officer, and shot at others. He was pur-
sued by Alexander Hunter, who felled him
to- the ground, and the British sergeant died.
The Southern chivalry proved their admira.
ton for the British sergeant by burying him
with all the honors of war.
GAS you may contemplate the long rows OF
white headstones that mark the grass. grown
mounds in the National cemetery, is it natu-
raj to suppose that the flowers will be kept
blooming as beautifully, the walks be pre-
served as handsome and clean the next four
wears as they have in the past2" 1t is a
beautiful place, so quiet and lonely, and 1t
will stand forever Alexandrians will
never envelope themselves in their pre-
iudices and shut out from their sight and
understanding that it is hallowed spot
consecrated to the memory of Union sold
iers.
The institution to which Alexandria points
with most pride is Christ church and the
surrounding graveyard.
Christ church, Alexandria, Va, is famous
not on account of it's size and grandeur, bu
, because it does contain the pew, where Gen
, Washington sat Sunday after Sunday, par
| ticipating in the service of the church. There
it still stands as in the days of the Revolu
tionary war. The north side of the church
, is overgrown with ivy, Friendships magi
name" Washngton's pew is now occupie'
I.by Mr.. CaSSluS r. Lee, ucSCohuonu VI -
father of his country and relative OF Gen
r. E. Lee.
"George Washington's famous declaration
of heipg on the side OF resistance to tn
odious stamp act was stated to have bee
made on Christ church green, when ma
ton might be said to have been conceived.
One hundred years later the same spot wa
the scene of no less memorable event.
the determination of Robert f. Lee to Jo
the confederate forces.
Scattered about, without regard to orde
!, are tho remains Of slabs. waiting for IN
! sexton of fifty years ago to come and pu
them in nosition.n