The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-07-08
WASHINGTON'S TOMB.
AN INDEPENDENCE DAY PILGRIMAGE
TO MOUNT VERNON.

the Contrast Between Political Methods
Now and in the Days of Washington,
The Weary Correspondent Finds Rest
Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON, July 4.-Could there be
more fitting day than this for visit to
famous Mount Vermont For a month OF
more have been among the politicians OF
these modern times-those who were as
sembled at the two national conventions
watching their selfish schemes for place OF
favor and the progress of efforts to acquire
power for self or friends. On this indie
pendence Day it is great relief, refresh
ing of a weary soul, to sit down upon the
piazza of fine old mansion house that was
once the home of man who sought moth
ing for himself, but everything for his
country; whose grateful and confident fel
low citizens placed honors upon his head
and power in his hands unbidden.
AS | sit here in this president making
epoch, my mind invountarily goes back
to that page of history which describes an
incident which occurred on this spot a lit
tie more than l03 years ago. 1t was on
a Tuesday morning, April IA, 1889, that
a venerable man with fine eyes and an
dlnldDle FOue Up 10 GllS pldA-
"a, coming from the town of Alexandria
On entering the mansion he was received
by Mrs. Washington, who asked him with
obvious surprise whence he came and on
what Grand II come from New York, :"
he answered, land on good errand-for
the country, at least General Washing
ton has been elected president of the
United States under the new constitution,
and am the bearer of the happy tidings
in a letter from John Langdon, the presi-
dent of the senate"
Whether really glad or not to hear that
her husband was to be taken again from
her side to serve his country, Mrs. Wash
ington gave the visitor, who was Charles
Thompson, secretary of the senate and be-
fore that of the continental congress- a
warm welcome. Mrs. Washington already
knew the bearer of this important news,
for she had visited in Thompson's house in
Philadelphia. A colored man was at once
sent out upon horseback to find General
Washington, who at that time passed most
of the days riding about his vast estate,
and three hours passed before the general
made his appearance. A description of
General Washington at this moment has
come down to us from the pen of his
adopted son, as follows
"An old gentleman, riding alone, in plain
drab Clothes broad brimmed white hat,
hickory switch in his hand and carrying an
umbrella with a long staff which is at
tached to bis saddle bow Thl umbrella was
used to shelter him from the sun, for his
skin was tender and easily affected by it's
rays"
In Washington's hand was placed the
official notification of his election as presi-
! l, e.. IL
news indeed, there being no telegraph |
wires in that day to transmit intelligence
in a flash and make somewhat farcical |
the formal notifications of nominations in
dulged in nowadays In an hour or so
Washington had written his letter of &C
ceptance, and it was as follows:
MOUNT VERNON, April IA, 1889.
SIR-I had the honor to receive your official
communication, by the hand of Mr.. Secretary
Thompson, about l o'clock this day. Having
concluded to obey the fattering and important
call of my country, and having been i'm
pressed with the expediency Of my being with
congress at as early n period as possible, I
propose to commence my journey on Thurs
day morning, which will be the day after to-
morrow.
But what did Washington do with the
intervening time? Perhaps you have all
read it in history, but as sit here in the
grateful shade of his former home this rec
objection comes so strongly to my mind
that shall remind you of it. On the even
ing of this day of which have been writ
ing, the 18th of April, Washington mount
ed his horse and, followed by a trusty col
ored man named Billy, rode off into the
woods of Virginia at a rapid pace. His des-
tination was Fredericksburg, nearly forty
miles away, with two ferries between, and
4 - L., 1 Il
over eighty years of age and drawing near
the grave. 1t had been long time since
he had seen her, but he could not feel equal
to the great responsibilities of his new Of
fee till he had received her blessing.
We have few such incidents in these
modern days. Our presidents may be as
mother loving as was Washington, but
none of them have the necessity before
them of riding weary miles on horse,
through woods and wet to visit their
mothers before assuming direction of the
ship of state. But thus rode Washington
through all the night, passing en- route the
waters of the future bloody Bull Run, and
in the morning his mother was in hiss arms
He was just in time, for she had but a few
months more to live, and history records
that this is what she said to him as he left
her presence forever:
"You will see me no more. My great age
and disease warn me that shall not be
long in this world. But go, George, to
fulfill the destiny which heaven appears to
assign you. Go, my son, and may heavens
blessing and your mothers be always with
you"
Sadly Washington rode away, within
two hours of his arrival With those
words ringing in his ears he did not hear
the shouts of the people of Fredericksburg
who were out in force as he passed through
the narrow, hilly streets. Washington rode
all day as he had come, and in the evening
was at Mount Vernon again, having ex.
hibited his power of endurance at the age
of fifty-seven by riding eighty miles In
twenty-four hours. His good wife had
made all ready, and at 10 the next morn
ing, leaving Mrs. Washington behind, he i
set out on his long journey. I
Now the journey from Mount Vernon to
Philadelphia may be made in three hours
and half. 1t took Washington as many {
days. Mount Vernon is about fifteen miles {
from the Capital City, and is reached by G
fne steam boats, which ply at convenient '
hours of the day. There is no more enjoy '