Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-07-09
THE JOHN PAUL
JONES MEMORIAL
Description of Halifax Home of Navy Hero of
the War of the Revolution
WILL SOON BE RESTORED

Gregory of Salisbury, N. C, to
admit our country is more un-
grateful than Republics are gen
orally, but | do wish we had
shown more appreciation of John
Paul Jones. The intrepid naval
commander, dead or alive.
should give the National con-
science a twinge whenever the
subject is prominent, and tits
every time we study the history
of the war of independence.
"Of course the splendid service
of Gen. Horace Porter in a large
measure made reparation for the
century of neglect, but it is al
most humilating to reflect that
the service was the work of love
of one generous-spirited public
man rather than the prompting
of the Nation. Still we have the
reverod remains of John Paul
Jones reposing in stately mau-
soleum at Annapolis, and every
embryo naval hero going forth
from the hallowed shades of the
Naval Academy is steeped in
reverence to his memory.
For this we are all very
grateful. But down in the old
colonial Capital of North Caro-
lima, Halifax, the splendid old
home where John Paul Jones
spent his happy days, the only
home he ever knew or loved, is
crumbling to decay. Every North
Carolina woman with grain of
patriotism has been saddened at
the pictures of ruin the old Jones
mansion presents, and tried
many means to rescue it before
we came before the Nation with
our plea. John Paul Jones is a
National hero, and not altogeth-
er North Carolina celebrity. so
it seems proper to have the en-
tire Nation take up the work we
have been vainly urging
in the State, in the local d. A.
R., and afterward at the Cont
mental Congress.
1T is our purpose to found a
society similar to that which has !,
preserved Mount Vernon; to have
regents and vice regents from,
every State, with as large mem
bership as we may. The fnan-
cial obligation will be almost !,
negligible. and the glory of hav-
ing accomplished something of
splendid, patriotic usfulness will
he great Our president is to
be Gen. Horace Porter, and the
honorary presidents will be Mrs.
Marshall, all of the cabinet la
dies, Mrs. Donald Mclean and
Mrs. Matthew T. Scott. There
will also be a list of honorary
presidents selected from eminent
naval officers, of whom Admiral
Dewey is typical.
Vice presidents will be selec-
ted from every State, with the
central authority vested in the
board resident in Washington.
Just now all we have decided to
do is to organize this memorial
society to preserve the home.
Later we will decide to what use
we will put the venerable man
sion. A home for aged women
has been suggested, or, again, a
school wherein patriotism will be
the inspiration, but where boys
and girls will be equipped for the
battle of life, the boys in techni-
cal pursuits, the girls along do
mestic economic lines.
1T is also proposed simply to
restore the old home, furnished
as nearly as it was in the days
when the sad-eyed, youthful
Scotch sailor, John raul, accept
ed the CHEEKY invitation of Willie
Jones to visit him at the Grove,
and to keep it in perpetuity as a
memorial of our greatest revolu-
tionary naval hero. Personally,
j favor this last idea, as more
dignified, more useful and more
IN harmony with historic tradi-
tions.
"Of the mansion, find so
few know of it even specifically |