Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-13
Toledo Bee.


death OF the head OF the nation. OF these
twenty-five men so honored twenty-three
have responded TO the final summons. A
bill is now before congress looking to the
gathering into Arlington cemetery of the
dust OF these presidents OF the United
States. Not everybody can name the
twenty-three or tell where the honored
dead lie sleeping. Most OF them are in
TERED at their old homes, among the
friends OF their youth.
The tomb OF Washington has been the
mecca OF the patriot for many years.
The last resting places OF Lincoln, the
hberator; OF Grant, the soldier president;
and Of Harrison and Mckinley are prob
ably known 20 all, but the world little
notes nor long remembers the going of
its great men. Their deeds remain en-
balmed in history. but their dust might
have been scattered to the four winds
OF heaven for aught the great world
knows.
The resolution before congress, in its
provisions for the removal TO the national
capital OF the remains of those who once
presided over the destinies of the coun-
try excerpts the name OF Washington.
who. IL is wei known, sleeps in the spot
OF his own selection, at Mt. Vernon. Even
IL Washington had not expressly and eN-
pIicitly directed where his body should lie
I'm death. it is not at all likely that
Virginia would ever consent TO give up
the sacred dust OF her distinguished son.
Nor is IL any more probable that Illinois
would yield 10 the request for the dust
OF Lincoln, Ohio OF Garfield, or Mckinley,
or Indiana OF her HarrisOns. SO II Is with
the other states. They feel proprietary
right in their honored dead and would
not yield these up to other keeping
Many attempts have been made TO have
the gloomy mausoleum under the dome
II k4.amr oil src
failed, and probably the matter will never
again be preached.
Mt. Vernon which Washington loved,
IS one OF the most beautiful spots in the
United States. In a great marble sareo-
phagus. bearing the coat OF arms OF the
United States and festooned flags in ex-
auisite sculpture is the dust of the first
president OF the United States. Inaugu-
rated April 80, 17Se. Washington served
two terms. dying two years later. Decem-
Der IA, 1929, at Mt. Vernon. This great
marble coffin bears the single deeply cut
word, washington" BY its side is an
other marble coffin, where Martha
Washington also sleeps.
A single block OF Pennsylvania marble,
eight feet in length and two feet in
heighth is followed out for each saco-
phagus. They were made from design
by William Strickland. the sculptor being
John Struthers. of Philadelphia, and were
presented TO the relatives OF Washing
ton by Mr. Strickland.
AS ordered by Washington in his win.
his body was taken from the old vault at
Mount Vernon and placed in the new one
upon its completion. This occurred Octo-
Der z. 1881. On the archway is PLAIN
marble slab on which is inscribed: With
in this Enclosure rest the remains of Gen.
eral George Washington" and that is all,
except a line or two OF scripture on a
tablet within.
Elder and Junior Adams.
In remarkable contrast 70 this simple
epitaph is that of John Adams, the second
president of the United States, and that
Of his son, John Quincy Adams. In
Quincy, Mass, under the portfolio Of the
Stone Temple" or Unitarian church, are
the tombs OF the Adamses. father and
son, the second and sixth presidents OF
the United States.
The tomb is in the cellar under the por-
tico, which FORMS the entrance to the
church. and Is an apartment walled up
with huge blocks OF roughly hewn gram
tie. Over it is a granite slab, which has
great iron hinges OF rust-eaten wrought
iron and a huge paddock In it's clasp.
Within the rock-ribbed home the body of
John Adams lies In a lead casket incased
in a single block of hewn-out granite.
over this tomb an odd Gothic structure
has been built. Il has a tower and peak
ed roof supported by four pillars. In the
church a big memorial tablet, at the
right OF the pulpit. recites the honors OF
Adams. his birth and death, and above II
Is a fine bust executed by Greenough.
The epitaph on this tablet tells Of an
era In history that Il Is meet 70 remember
today. Beneath these walls" ii says,
ARE deposited the mortal remains Of John
Adams. son OF John and Susanna Boyls-
toni Adams. second president OF the United
States. Born october 30. 1735. On the 4th
day OF July. I776. he pledged his life, fort
une and sacred honor to the independence
OF his country. On the Sd day Of Septem-
Der, I7S3, he affixed his seal 10 the definite
treaty with Great Britain. which acknowl-
edged that independence, and consumma-
ted the redemption Of his pledge. On the
fourth Of July. 1926. he was summoned to
the judgment Of HIS God. This house
win bear witness to his piety; this town
his birthplace, TO his munihcence; history
to his patriotism; posterity to the depth
and compass Of his mind"
Then follows a long inscription to his
wife, Abigail Adams.
This memorial was erected by John
Quincy Adams, who only a few years la
ter was laid TO rest in the same vault,
with his wife at his side. In turn, his
son, Rev. c. F. Adams, erected a marble
tablet in the stone Temple" which oc-
cupIes a position at the left OF the pulpit.
II recites that John Quincy Adams was
the son OF John and Abigail (Smith) Ad-
ans; that he was the sixth president of
the United States, born July IL, 1857, and
signed the second treaty with Great Brit
ain which restored peace within her bor-
ders. II relates. In conclusion, that ION
the 23d OF February, 1S4S, he closed six
teen years Of eloquent defense Of the les
sons of his youth by dying at his post
in her great national council"
This last has reference TO his being
stricken with death while in his seat in
the old house OF representatives. A brass
plate bearing lis name, marks the spot
where he fell.
The Third President.
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of
the United States. sleeps under the tree
at Monticello, his old home, near Char
lottesville, Va. Aliens own the old place,
but reverence the honored dead. The fam
fly cemetery in which the Jeffersons sleep
Is surrounded by a brick wall about ten
feet high. On the north side, in a shaded,
secluded spot, Jefferson's body servant.
Warmely, dug the grave of his old master,
according to instructions left by Jefferson.
The monument that was placed above the
grave was OF coarse granite. 1t was de-
signed by Jefferson himself, as was also
the inscription: Here lies buried Thomas
Jefferson, Author Of the Declaration of
Independence; of the Statute Of Virginia
for Religious Freedom. and Father of the
University of Virginia. Born April 2. 174S;
Died July 4. 1896