New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-31
THE NORRIS MANSION.

The present movement for the purchase hy
the city of the Morris Tor JumeQ mansion, once
used by Washington his headquarters is TO
some extent a renewal of a campaign which
began four or five years ago. That cuminated
at the close of 1901 in the enactment of an
ordinance making the desired provision. Mayor
Low declined to sanction it, from technical con-
sideratons only and not from any expressed
doubt of its merits. Through the consequent
delay an opportunity has been afforded for the
enlistment of other forces. The project is now
being urged by the Scenic and Historic PreSer-
walton Society the Daughters of the American
Revolution and the Sons of the American ReYo-
luton So far as organized support goes, the
matter is on better basis than ever before.
1T may be safely asserted, moreover, that thou
sands of progressive and enlightened residents
of New-York who are III no way identified with
these bodies sympathiZed with the appeals re
Gently made TO the Board of Estimate and
AppOrtionment The approval given to the
scheme by that body Friday. therefore, will
cause wide popular satisfaction. especially since
the cooperation of the Board Of Aldermen may
almost be taken for granted.
Since the distractions OF the late Civil War
and the special enthusiasms which were prop
erly excited by the heroism of that period, there
has been a fresh and marked development or
public interest in buildings and places associ-
ated with the Revolution Much had been done
before but more has been done since, TO marx
or save these sacred spots Under the auspices
of societies formed for that purpose buildings
like the old War Office of Brother Jonathan"
TrumbuI in Lebanon, Conn, and the school,
house in New-Iondon in which Nathan Hale
taught have been purchased and guarded from
the encrOachmentS of industry and the touch
of time In some cases-aS. for Instance with
the headquarters at NewbuTg-State appropria-
tons have been secured to promote the same
end. The preservation of FraunceS' Tavern,
where the commander in chief of the first
American army babe farewell to his of1cers,
and the combination Of national, State and city
authorities with private contributors to honor
the prison ship martyrs at Fort Greene Park,
in Brooklyn are only two of many other mani
festations of the same spirit.
Unfortunately, though, movements of this
character are often started too late TO realize
their purpose. Here Manhattan Island sew
eral buildings that We're hallowed by heroism
or noble personal associations have disappeared.
Not more than three architectural me-
MORALS of Washngtons life i'll Manhattan
now remain: Fraunces' Tavern, St Pauls
Church lin which his pew can be identified, and
whose perpetuation is assured and the mill
tary headquarters on the heights that bear his
name. During his short stay of two months in
that place he conferred with the political and
military leaders of the day and issued many
of his most famous orders. 1t is relic of I'M
questionable genuineness as well of excep-
tional beauty The roof of the Morris mansion
sheltered him while he slept It's walls re-
sounded to his voice. Through the death of its
late owner General Earle, its future is now
uncertain Unless definite action is taken soon
this lovely and historic building will be lost to
the world forever.
Sentimental considerations are not The only
ones which should influence the decision of the
city authorities in the matter. There will soon
be great demand for parks on the upper part
of the Island Already available sites are scarce,
and the value of property there is steadily in
creasing. The pending proposition is to pur-
chase the whole of the Earle estate, which en-
braces about twenty seven city lots If the
land should pass into the hands of a private
buyer it would unquestionably be cut up and
sold at retail for building purposes. and the OPP
portunity of obtaining much needed breathing
place and playground for the population of that
vicinity would be lost.