The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-17
TIT, MOUNT VERNON ASSOCIATION.

Tuv Tr,srs this week has devoted very con-
siderable space to accounts OF the proceeo-
;rgs ~ the Ladies' Mount Vernon Associa-
ton. the board of regents OF when met ~
Mount Vernon last Thursday, and VIII CON
.;pue their session until Tuesday next In
this mornings issue will be found an interest
inc account OF the good work these iaoi''
have accomplished. the data of when "e'o
kindly furnished by Mrs Emily X Ban' VICE
regent for the State Of Virginia.
1t is matter of special interest TO no'e 'na'
This most meritorious association was the ou.-
growth of suggestion which originated WIN
: natriotic Southern woman. Miss Ann famela
c,rrincham Of South Carolina. Whhe
,,o;n, down the Potomac her attention was ar
rss,ed bv the tolling of the bell OF the
steamer as it passed the spot which had
been the home of the immortal Washington
and which held all that was mortal OF MS
revered dust. Learning that the then owner
of the place Mr.. John Augustine Washing
ION was in embarrassed circumstances, and
co entirely unable to keep it repaired that he
had offered it for eale, and noticing that the
building was fast going to decay ana the
grounds running TO waste, she conceived the
idea of inducing the ladies Of the country 10
purchase it. and hold it for the people OF the
whole United States. After a consultation
charter of the association was obtained from
the State of Virginia. and the ladies through
ont the land were appealed to to contribute
each the sum of one dollar for the purpose o.
raising fund of 100000 for the purchase OF
the estate, and putting it in thorough repair
and perfect order.
Her appeal met with generous response anu
TINS the Mount Vernon Association was
formed. and proceeded in its patriotic worH
and pious labor of love. And what these
women have accomplished IS freely ue-
tailed in the article alluded TO. Ihey nave
redeemed the house from ruin, repaired Ine
tomb. and transformed the desolate GROUNDS
which before were luxurious only IN weeds 10
beautiful lawns and gardens now literally
blossoming as the rose.
The object in again calling attention to this
subject is to try and revive interest at the
South in this classic spot AS we have SEEN
the idea of preserving it to posterity IN
manner worthy Of its historic associations
was that of a Southern woman, and before the
war between the States our Southern ladies'
were the prime movers in its redemption.
With the war however, not only
was all communication between Mount
Vernon and the South cut off, but our noble
women had their hands and minds tulI OF
anxiety and mourning for their own loved
ones who we're either serving in the army In
the defense of their country or suffering from
wounds. or had fallen beneath the shoti and
shell of the ruthless invaders. In this way
the care of Mount Vernon was entirely lost
sight of, and with the exception of few who
have. since the war. renewed their exertlons
in its behalf. interest in the place has never
been revived.
This should not be so. Washington him
self was Southerner, and every pulsation of
his heart was full of love for his mother, Viz
GINA. and the South of which she was a part.
1t is eminently appropriate, therefore, that
our Southern women should again give them
selves, heart and soul, to the work-which
originated with one of.their Southern sisters
of its preservation as a sacred shrine at which
posterity may worship. They can do much
towards the accomplishment of so laudable
purpose, and should impress upon their child
rem and childrens children the duty OF keep
inc green and beautiful the home of Wash
ington so long as the great American repub-
lie. which lie was so instrumental IN freeing
and establishing, shall exist.