The times., 1897-04-28

Congress could pass q law TO remove Wash
ingtons remains TO New York. In my
opinion, this is not 50 He belongs to
Virginia. Congress could recommend such
action, but would have no right TO inter
fere in any way with yirginia's property.
The women who are he regents OF Mount
Vernon would not for moment consider
suci. proposition 1t would be not emily
their duty but their sentiment to resist
it,"
II they should consent their charter
would be forfeited to Virginia
DR. F. A. Gunnell, the secretary of the
Monument a ssoeiation, Was as outspoken
as Col. Berret
washington will never be moved from
Mount Vernon" he said. ''The whole
country would oppose any such idea. II
the time ever came when the consent OK
the people could be secured to move his
remains and it were thought best, they
would be brought to Washington city.
The magnificent Capitol building was de-
signed TO a certain extent to receive the
body of Gen. Washington and be his tomb.
The great crypt under the center OF the
building was built for that purpose. For
many years a man was on the payroll OF
the Government az the keeper OF the
crypt" and IL was not until twenty years
or so ago that this office was abolished
I remember discussion that occurred
about this time, when Gen. Ben jainin F.
Butler called up this matter of the keeper
of the crypt" during the consideration Of
the civil service appropriation lii. He
wished to know who this gentleman was.
The whole matter of the crypt and of its
original design and meaning was discussed
10y Congress at that time.
Next to the Capitol building the only
possible place where Washington colAa
be fittingly Inferred for all time would
be under the Washington Monument.
A tomb under the Monument could be
made magnificent and the Monument 1T
self would be splendid enough for him.
Mrs. William q. Capell said TO reporter:
such a project is shocking even In IS
suggestion. The Capital of the nation
is the only fitting res.ing place for the
Father OF His Country. Mount Vernon was
Washington beautiful home, and every
sentiment. ever ything about the place
has some association with him. 1t is a
perfect realization Of the night that he
should be there. No Virginian would for
a moment consider any such idea. 1
cannot think that any one III the United
states would wish it 10 be done
Mr.. Lee Robinson, prominent lawyer
from Virginia, expressed the same views.
..There can be no possibility of the accom-
plishment of any such project Virginia
and the remainder of the Union, too, would
veto the idea unanimously"
Other ladies and gentlemen expressed
one further suggestion made being that
New York has probably raised all the money
that it could for the present in building
the tomb of Gen Grant, and that there
would really be considerable difficulty
Ia getting New York 90 see the matter IN
any other way itself. Gov. O'FerTall
has been interviewed on this subject also,
He is the most forcibie of all the people
who have expressed themselves III oppOsi
ton 20 the idea. He says:
III there is a white man In all Virginia
gho would favor a proposition to remove |
he remains OF Washington from Mount |
ernon to any other place, il would require !
he strongest electric light to find him, /
or he would be hiding in some cavern |
o escape the wrath OF an angry people. |
sirginians VIII never consent that the tones j
4 yiTginia's most iIiHstrious son shall be 4
AIKEN from yirginia's soil and from the |
pot he himself selected as his last resting /
'lace. II such thing were attempted 80 |
Intense would be the feelihg OF opposition !
hat believe the people would be inclined /
o resist with arms.
Virginia gave Washington 20 the cause /
3f republican liberty, aud 1t is as little rs I
'he can ask that she may be permitted 70 /
Keep vigil over his tomb. II he coGiJ 4
speak, the proposition would be hushcd 4
forever. / do not believe that the nOsle
women wno have so beautifully and faish-
'uily cared for Mount Vernon would con
der the suggestion for moment. nor 20
believe there is a near relative who
3 ouId not frown it down.
Washington belongs to Virginia no less
han To the Union. and her right to his
emains is paramount 10 all the other
states Combined The proposition viii
stOulG every man, woman and child in
his State