Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-06

,striotic societies in TN city. Miss
sta Daniel. the chairman. had
60. as the general subject for
o,easion. "The Work Of the
MS Organizations 10 Preserve
~. state Records" In detail. four OF
~. .hlest OF Virginia's daughters gave
..,..-ts Of the "life and works Of the
-, vernon Association. the Associa-
-, for the Preservation Of Virginia
,-.,,.it.es. the Daughters OF the Con-
,.ss-.cy. and the Confederate Memorial
rr.-srv Society.
,,rropriate 20 the occasion. the deco
-...,rs were OF blue draperies and Vir-
.,-. shields and lags. Mr.. William
s,.,-,ri. the well-known artist. was the
de-oyator.
vot-NT VERNON ASSOCIATION.
Mrs Philip Bruce was first introduced
enc preventative Of the Mount YER
-, Ladies' Association Of the Union.
e.. ,nrcarod. she explained. because OF
~. ,lsonce OF the vies-regent for Vir-
e,. who was detained at home by a
.,...t crushing sorrow. Mrs. Bruce pre-
t.,,8 her remarks by reading the admira-
g.. history Of the association, lately pre-
.,-s5 nv cts secretary. Susan u. johnson
,4..-or. and Frightening this with en-
,.-..lrirr comment. The association
,.s founded i'm 1854 by Miss Cunningham,
~ s,pfh Carolina, the first regent, who
.-r.Inted as vice-regents one lady from
.,h state. "The immediate object Of
rfs first woman's society," ran the his
cav "was 90 raise funds for the purchase
~ fV0 hundred acres OF the Mount Yer
non estate. including the mansion and
tomb wherein repose the mortal remains
a. General Washington. The ultimate de-
sl-r was 20 teach the people Of the United
states 90 remember Washington and his
Great achievements. To attain this result
and bring the people into sympathy with
fhis great man and his daily life. here in
mis- home so dear 20 his heart, there
mus. needs be a faithful restoration OF
che surroundings and conditions existing
during his residence, while above and be-
v7nd an was the fervent hope that Mount
vernon should become a shrine whittier
ru l.berty-loving pilgrims should resort in
reverence and veneration. The associa-
ton appealed 20 the country for 10000,
the price demanded for this portion Of
Mount Vernon. The pledge given was the
reservation and restoration Of the home
OF washington. How has the association
redeemed its pledge?
KEPT N THE BACKGROUND.
ut is needless here to recount the dis
ssters and disbursements which attend
ei the initiative efforts of this small band
az devoted women. One formidable cause
OF opposition, scarce credible in our day,
was the prejudice then prevailing against
L. 20 1ff 4fV
so strong was this feeling" said Mrs.
Bruce that Miss Cunningham, the first
regent. sent out all communications under
the nom de plume OF 1.-The Southern Ma
ton" and was so anxious lest her identity
De discovered that her letters for circula-
ton were first sent 10 her kinswoman,
Mrs. Enc, Of Georgia, TO be posted by her
there. and thus evade detection. AS 1
wish 10 lay special stress upon the age
Of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association,
a. seems to me that this prejudice just
cited. coupled with the fact that when
the association was christened women
were known as ladies. proves it to be in
deed hOary."
But. inspired by tho enthusiasm of
Mss Cunningham, and guided by her
marvellous ability and executive talent,
each State was canvassed and differed.
and enthusiastic interest awakened. with
the result that the sum required wac COL
lected. and that in 1858 Mount Vernon
became the property OF the Mount Vernon
Association. Once IN possession, the as
ISOLATION realized that their work had but
begun. for ruin and decay showed on
every side. Nothing daunted. repairs were
instituted a small steamboat was leased
for the conveyance OF visitors to Mount
Vernon from Washington, the gate-fee
being = cents. and there was much 10
encourage the hope that In a few years
Mount Vernon would be restored to order
and beauty"
THEIR DREAM REALIZED.
Continuing. Mrs. Bruce pictured the
effect Of the war upon the work at Mount
Vernon, told what had been done since
90 restore the place 10 what II was IN
the days OF Washington, and. closing her
history. said: The dream OF the enthu-
s.astlc founder Of the Mount Vernon AS
ISOLATION is realized. The home of WASH
irgton is restored, and has become the
shrine OF uberty-loving pilgrims from
home and foreign lands. His TOMB Is
reHglouslv cared for by women who love
and revere his memory. Washington Is
remembered. and never can be forgotten
while his home and tomb are there 10 al-
peal 20 the heart and soul OF al. foi-
l0W him through the winding walks, tp'uoi
the trees he planted, and into ms liDIais'
surrounded by his books or seated peloIe
bis secretary. Then pass into his room'
stand bv the bed on which he died. At
last. 20 over TO his tomb, there reverently
bow. for YOU have cOmmuned IN spirit
with George Washington, the great anu
good the brave and wisel Has not the
Mount Vernon Association redeemed us
pledge given to the country
THE PLEDGE WELL KEPT.
answering this question. Mrs. Bruce
SAID:
rr,iv Il has. and nobly. state after
g-afe has been canvassed, until hundIeas
Of thousands have been raised, anu Aaoe
year ne visitors 10 this American MecSa
numbered II 233 souls mere ih tso,,ld
al that the women OF our IL tSS4 q
90 has been done. in the past. ~ he lo<' In
central committee was appointed MY n.y.. IN IN
Efchnlord consisting Of Mrs. julia Capei
f1residenD. Mrs. Eliza Semmes' ei NJ,
Susan L. Pellet, Mrs. >. DuiiOP Bso Am
Trt Robinson. Mrs General fSslaiin'
Mis- Josenb n. Anderson. Mrs. kitchle'
and others. Balls, concerts tao ,.,er,
and other kinds Of entertainment ctete
ges0rted 70 for raising tunas; ~ yeos,e-
Was thoroughly IN tOuch Nm M 4. b,,f the
ment-ln q measure she stiil Is, put &c
touch Is kehter Since that time she ~, IN
had much 10 distract her she nae 80
Iayaecd bv invading armies WIZ 80
LETT behind them only gfaNvS ~ rgoo for
O.. Naturally Virginia - eas that
her COnfader8te graves, IcthnS -
Waehingfon's rs safe in the HANDS OF tn
Union but cannot she keep Doth $3.50
1t not the heroes Of one Wal "
Tor the heroes Of another! VIRGINIA
Your present yice-regent for W.. f,,e
has held this trust these fTeny-nf,'
years. ana faithfully she has sustain .'.p,c -.
10 Virginia Was given the room ID w.