The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-03-05


ton shrine and 1t will continue to be that SO long
as the republic endures. 1t was the Virginia
home on the Potomac to which Washington took
his bride; there he made plans for his lie Worh'
plans that were rudely shattered by the events
Of later years. 1t was from that refuge that ne
went forth to command the armies OF the Revo-
luton, and it from the seclusion OF mat
attractive place that he answered the call to DE
President He returned to the old home on re-
firing from Office, and there he died, and thefe
his bones lie.
When the national capital city was laid out.
and for many decades afterward, Mt vernon
was hooked upon a 'long ways on from the
capitaI It is only seventeen miles away. Today
there are three ways OF reaching MT. vernon
by boat by electricity, by automobile. It Is an
easy hours travel from the business center OF
washington. With these facilities the number OF
visitors has greatly increased II 10 believed the
time is not far distant when million and haH
OF tourists viii annually visit Mt Vernon.
II Won 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. 'sThe very atmosphere speaks
to you Of him." said distinguished frencnman'
Visitors marvel 1t 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 are as they were when WASH
ington last looked upon them. One can almost
the door that led to~the room occupied by Mrs.
Washington. And what sense Of comfort one
gets as he sits In an easy chair on the veranda
I and looks out over 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 MS coun-
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 It
was about to fall into the hands of private spec
ulators this society was formed and it has done
its work well. Many persons believe, however,
that congress should buy the estate In the name
Of the government and throw it open to the public
Always under the management of the Aid society
1 nominal charge for admittance has been made
Many of the visitors linger 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
ID the neighborhood who delight to talk Of the
old DAYS. The countryside has not changed much
ia 12O years. Manly houses built while Washing.
ton was slise stfli stand Three miles south OF
Mt Vernon the old Pohick tEpiscopal) church in
which washington frequently wOrshiped is still
occxpied by the Episcopal congregation. Within
fhe last ave years the interior Of the old build
inc Inns been restored and today visitors may look
81 the decorations precisely as they we're when
Wsshington attended.
passinr time has not served to take away any
az the washington atmosphere about the old city
e AIexnndrfa seven miles south Of the national
Genital and on the road to Mt. Vernon The first
thinr the writer Is told is that Washington ibid
1T for ms aHe established our public school
system" says the local guide, and he gave US our
0rxt lire department. He was always doing some
fh1ng for d." Foremost OF the Washington show
niecee IL Alexandria Is old Christ church, d
1870 S1ashlnston was a member for some AZ
49, 49, 1Arrth building az brick has beer