The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-10
WASHINGTON'S TOMB.
AN INDEPENDENCE DAY PILGRIMAGE
TO MOUNT VERNON.
Robert Graves Is Forcibly Impressed oy
the Contrast Between Political Methods
Now and In the Days of Washington.
tn. weary Correspondent Finds Rest.

Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON. July 4.-Could there bs
more fitting DAY than this for visit Il
famous Mount Vernon For month OF
more have been among the politicians oi
tbes modern times-tbose who were as
sembled at the two national conventions
watching their selfish schee es for place OF
favor and the progress of efforts to acquire
mower for self or friends. On this Inde
pendence Dayit f. great relief, refresh
ing OF weary soul, TO sit down upon the
piazza Of a fine old mansion house that was
once the home OF a man who sought moth.
ing for himself. but everything for has
country; whose grateful and confident fei,
low citizens placed honors upon bis head
and power In his hands unbidden.
Assist here in this president making
epoch, my mind involuntarily goes back
70 that page OF history which describes an
incident which occurred on this spot lit
tle more than 100 years ago. 1t was on
a Tuesday morning. April IA, 1872, that
a venerable man with fine eyes and an
amiable countenance rode up 70 this piaz-
"a coming from the town Of Alexandria.
On entering the mansion he was received
he Mrs Washington who asked him with
obvious surprise whence he came ana on
,ybat GRAND II come from New York"
ne answered. "and on good errand-for
the country, at least General Washing
ton has been elected president OF the
limited States under the new constitution,
and am the bearer Of the happy tidings
IN n letter from John Langdon, the presl-
dent Of the senate"
Whether really glad or not to hear tha1
her husband was TO be taken again from
her side TO serve his country, Mrs. Wash
ington gave the visitor, who was Charles
Thomson. secretary Of the senate, and be-
fore that Of the continental congress,
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 20 US from the pen OF his
adopted son, rs follows
IAN old gentleman, riding alone, in plain
drab clothes a broad brimmed white hat,
hickory switch in his hand and carrying an
umbrella with long staff which is at
tached to his saddle bow. The umbrella was
used to shelter him from the sun, for his
skin was tender and easily affected by its
rays"
In Washington's hand was placed the
official notification Of his election as presi-
dent. and this information came to him as
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 II. 1879.
gR-I had the honor to receive your official
communication, by the hand Of Mr.. Secretary
Thompson, about ] O'Clock this day. Having
concluded 10 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 period as possible, ]
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 il. On the even
Ing Of this day of which have been writ
ing. the 14th Of April, Washington mount
ed his horse and, followed by a trusty col
ored man named Billy, rode off into the
l.. - II fo dop
tination was Fredericksburg, nearly forty
miles away, with two ferries between, and
his purpose was TO see his old mother, then
over eighty years of age and drawing near
the grave. 1t had been a 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 rs 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 his arms
He was Just In time, for she had but few
months more TO live, and history records
that this is what she said 10 him as he left
her presence forever:
"You will see me no more. My great age
and disease warn me that i 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 heaven S
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, billy streets. Washington rode
all day as he had come, and in the evening
YVES 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
BET out on his long journey.
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
fine steamboats, which ply at convenient
hours Of the day. There is no more enjoy
able trip in the environs Of the Federal
City, and il is not surprising that such a
large number Of visitors TO the city should
improve the opportunity TO stand before
the tomb OF Washington and 10 set foot