The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-02-12
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tourists. Mt. Vernon, of course, is the Washing
ton shrine and 1t will continue to be that so long
the republic endures. 1t was the Virginia
home on the Potomac to which Washington took
his bride; there he made plans for his life work,
plans that rudely shattered by the events
of later years. 1t was from that refuge that he
went forth TO command the armies of the Revo-
luton, and 1t was from the secusion of that
attractive place that he answered the call to be
President. He returned to the old home on re-
firing from Office, and there he died, and there
his bones lie.
When the national capital city was laid out,
and for many decades afterward Mt. Vernon
was looked upon as q "long ways off, from the
capital. 1t is only seventeen miles away. Today
there are three ways Of reaching Mt Vernon
by boat, by electricity, by automobile. 1t Is an
easy hours travel from the business center of
Washington With these facilities the number of
visitors has greatly increased. 1t is believed the
time is not far distant when a million and a half
of tourists will annually visit Mt. Vernon.
If you should happen to be in Mt Vernon on
the 22d of February you would, in Imagination.
see Washington as he went about his country place
on his birthday. 1.-THE very atmosphere speaks
to you of him." said a distinguished Frenchman
Visitors marvel at the faithfulness with which
the buildings and their contents and the grounds
have been preserved There have been, Of ne
ceSSity, some requirements, but speaking In
broad way, things they were when Wash
ington last looked upon them. One almost
see the house cat coming out Of the hole under
the door that led to the room occupied by Mrs.
Washington. And what a sense Of comfort one
gets as he sits In an easy chair the veranda
and looks out the Potomac and across the
river to the hills of Maryland just as Washington
did! mo wonder Washington did not wish to
leave the place even to be President of his cOun-
try" one says to himself.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Aid society continues
70 for fl,o hon and ondc
country owes a debt Of gratitude to this society
for preserving the property Years ago when 1t
was about to fall into the hands Of private spec
uators this society formed and It has done
its work we'll Many persons believe, however,
that congress should buy the estate In the name
of the government and throw 1t open to the public
Always under the management Of the Aid society
a nominal charge for admttance has been made.
Many of the visitors lnger in the country about
the old Washington home. OF course no one who
knew the Washington family is now living but
there are plenty of descendants Of the old families
In the neighborhood who delight to talk of the
old days The countryside has not changed much
in 40 years. Many houses built while Washing
ton was alive still stand. Three miles south of
Mt. Vernon the old Pohlck (Episcopal) church In
which Washington frequently wOrshiped is still
occupied by the Episcopal congregation. Within
the last five years the interior of the old build
ing has been restored and today visitors may look
Washington attended.
Passing time has not served to take away any
Of the Washington atmosphere about the old city
of Alexandria, seven miles south Of the national
capital and on the road to Mt. Vernon. The first
thing the writer is told is that Washington did
lot for u.s." HE established public school
system" says the local guide, "and he gave our
first fire department. He always doing some
thing for U.S." Foremost Of the Washington show
places in Alexandria is old Christ church, Of
which Washington q member for some 40
years. The church building of brick has been
preserved unchanged. The pew that Washington
occupied is reserved every Sunday for strangers
who may happen along at the service hour. The
old sexton will be certain to relate numerous
stories of the first President He WILL first of all.
tell you how Washington always up from
Mt Vernon on horseback, followed by his faith
full black bodyguard in a bright red uniform !;
how after services Washington was likely to lnger
In the church-yard to talk with his country neigh
bors, and how it was frequently necessary for