Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-03-16
WASHINCTON'S TOMB
The Haliowed Resting Place Of tbs
Immortal Patriot.
KEPT FRESH AND GREEN By WOMEN
TIE Noble Werk sf Purchase Care and
Aasntenascs of the naiiswea spot
b. the Meupf Sernoa Asss-
eiatios at LAdieaA

The ladies Of the United States COM
prlang the Mount Vernon Association,
are making al effort 10 secure annual
contributions from each of the states IN
furthersnce CT their noble enterprise
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Rathbun, of Ann
Arbor, Vice Regent OF the Michigan
contingent, has been working hard 10
interest the people Of this state and has
met with fsttering success IN Detroit.
She wrote 10 Miss Rebeccs Richmond OF
this city IN regard 10 the matter, and IN
reply received an earnest invitation 10
come to Grand Rapids for the purpose
of LAYING the scheme before the ladies
Of this city. The invitation was ae-
cepted and on Thursday last Mr.. kath-
J bun addressed a goodly company Of la
dies in the psrlors OF the Hotel War
wick.
The last of the w sshingtons
The lady is an enthusiastic and zeal
ous worker IN the cause, and her re-
marks were intensely interesting. She
first gave brief account of the way a.,
which the property came into the pos
session OF the Washington family, the
prosperity and t'n.ft With which IL was
maintained during the life time oi
Washington. and It's subsequent decay.
Said she. ''Jchn Augustin WssbngtOa
WAS the last of The family who liNed oa
! the estate. Finding himself unable 10
| keep II up, being literally eaten out ot
/ house and home hy visitors whom hls
/ hospitality could not refuse, he offered
| Mount Vernon. first 10 the Virginia
Leg glsiature. They ANONYMOUSLY de
ci:ned the honor OF the ownership OF
! the grave and home of Nuginia's no
blest son; II was offered 10 Congress
with like results. The home and grave
of Washington were fer sale
and there was no purchaser.
Yes, woman's voice was heard,
claiming the honor for the Daughter
of the Revolution" and responding 20
| the call the women of America IN two
years time raised the purchase money
! 500, 900. Since that time an associa-
ton of women has held the home o.
Washington IN trust for the Nation.
The honor of the country VAS saved.
1t was honor enough fof Ann Pamela
Cunningham, the woman who lighted
this torch OF patriotism ana sent IL
speeding from hand 10 hand until the
whole country WAS ailame. 20 have her
name associated with her Imperishable
work. The speaker related how, when
the war broke ont. the place had TO be
abandoned TO the care of servants and
agsin fell into decay. hut at the close
OF the war they returned To- the work
with renewed energy snd have 1T last
succeeded IN repairing the ravages of
time.
How Mt Vernon 10 Maintained.
"The school children Of Kansas con-
trlbuted 1920 IN nickels and pennies
with which the old negro quarters of
Washington's tine were rebuilt. The
deer park was restored in 1857 by the
sons OF Mrs. Robert Campbell. late vice
regent OF that State, ~ "A memorial 10
their mother. The restoration of the
tomb IN which George and Martha
Washington he was mace hy the peo-
pie of Michigan. Edward Everett, 10
assist the women of the association,
prepared his wei remembered Grafton
upon Washington and delivered II IN
the leading cities of the country, there
by raising a fund of So 900. The
charter OF the association ~ somewhat
binding, and in case of noncompliance
the estate rcverts 10 the State of Nlf-
gina.
"The restorations arc now complete:
the annual income derived from the
entrance fees meets the annual ex-
pcnses, though thew are heavy. This
happy balance of receipts and e,pendi-
lures Is cheering TO the hearts oi the
regents. But does nothing more re-
nam 10 bc done that the present gen
Grafton may participate IN the work
and make it, votlve offering TO the
memory of Washington los; much
remains TO he done that = worthy Of
the Daughters of the Revolution and
worthy tribute 10 the General OF the
Revolution. An endowment " needed
so that the entrance fee 81 Mt. Vernon
may be discontinued, and every citizen
of the United States may enjoy unre-
str1cted and free admission to iae home
OF the Pster Patrae.
A Memorial of Loving Gratitude.
"Then a fitting memorial 10 Washing
ton should be built at Mt Vernon. No
irreverent hand can touch the simple
tomb which was built IN accordance
with the directions gwen IN Washing
tons will: but while the tomb - sacred
ly guarded against change or adofn-
nent, we may yet buIid a memorial
which will he tire embodiment Of the
love and reverence for the greatest Of
good men The regents wish that this
memorial may take form as q national
museum, beautiful and grand az art
and stone can make il. FIRE proof-that
sil the relics Of Washington scattered
over the country may be collected and
preserved. aud ample. 80 that not only
portraits aud sfatnes Of Washington.
but also those Of his fIiends and com
psBIons IN arms. may sdorn the wslls.
and everything OF interest may be
gathered here which belonged 10 col