The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-02-17

tourists. Mt Vernon of course. is the Washing
ton shrine and it will continue to be that so long
the republic endures. 1t the Virginia
home the Potomac to which Washington took
his bride; there he made plans for his life work,
plans that were 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 it from the seclusion 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 "long ways off, from the
capital. 1t is only seventeen miles away. Today
there three ways of reaching Mt. Vernon
by boat, by electricity, by automobile 1t is
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 million and a half
of tourists will annually visit Mt. Vernon.
If you should happen to be In Mt. Vernon On
the Odd of February you would in Imagination,
see Washington as he went about his country place
on his birthday "rhe very atmosphere speaks
to you of him." said distinguished Frenchmsn.
Visitors marvel at the faithfulness with which
the buildings and their contents and the grounds
have been preserved. There have been, of
cesslty, requirements bat speaking In a
broad way, things they when Wash
ington last looked upon them. One can almost
see the house cat coming out of the hole under
the door that led to the room occupied by Mrs.
Washington And what sense of comfort
gets as he sits In easy chair the veranda
and looks out over the Potomac and across the
river to the hills of Maryland, just as Washington
did "No wonder Washington did not wish to
leave the place even to be President of his
try" one says to himself
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Aid society continues
to care for the Mt. Vernon home and lands. The
country owes debt Of gratitude to this society
for preserving the property. Years ago when II
about TO fall into the hands of private spec
ulators 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 II open to the public.
Always under the management Of the Aid society
a nominal charge for admittance has been made.
Many of the visitors linger In the country about
the old Washington home. OF course one who
knew the Washington family Is living, but
there 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 alive still stand. Three miles south of
Mt. Vernon the old Pohick (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
on the decorations precisely they were when
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 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 us our
first fire department He was always doing some
thing for U.S." Foremost Of the Washington show
places In Alexandria is old Christ church. of
which Washington was n 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 came up from
Mt. Vernon on horseback followed by his faith
full black bodyguard In a bright red uniform;
how after services Washington likely to lnger
I'm the church-yard to talk with his country neigh
bors. and how II was frequently necessary for