To the Daughters of Washington [pp. 318-325]

1856.] To the Daugkter of Wa8hington. 323
world, making glad every elevated and patriotic heart! We can but deeply regret
that Mr. Washington's peculiar views prevented his seeing the beauty and fitness of
such a grateful testimonial, as would, in the
words of another, " throw around that spot,"
a " vestal purity" veiling it from Mammon's
gaze and shielding it from " partisan desecration." But, as he prefers action with
legislative bodies,-asserts he will only sell
to the United States or Virginia directly,andti the United States cannot purchase without the consent of the " state ill which the
same shall be"-and any Virginian's conservative views of the Constitution, as well
as her pride, domestic peace and interest,
making such ownership as impolitic as we
suppose it is impossible-all. we thein ask,
is, that she will herself become the arbiter
of the future fate of Mount Vernon-which
she has now the opportunity of doing —without the employment of doubtful constitutional power;-or of state funds which could
add to the development of her internal resources, and advancemeit oft' her general
welfare. as well as of aiding in the siuccess
of a " project" which must o redound to
her own glory! This request is based upon
the now increasing desire to see that place
made, and kept sacred, and a conviction that
it neither can. nor will be done y) the use
of state or government funds-to say niothing of the prudence of avoiding' such a precedent in a Republic where the will of
the majority is but too often like a surging
tide, difficult to be restrained, even by constitutional barriers and its most solemn obligations. This, rich and extensive copiatry
can afford one spot with which money, and
its yearly interest hias niothing to do, and all
will say, that spot should be the - last resting place" of him to whose prudent guidance, and noble patriotism it is so deeply
indebted,-and if the nature of riepublican
governments withold the power, or makes
its use unadvisable, they should, and wili
n10 doubt open the way for its accomplishment, by the individual patriotisdn which aspires to the privilege.
We think we have said enough. Yet, the
cavilling away inquire, why, if, Mr. WY. says
he will Ad oly sell to the U. States' or Vird
ginia':' rot leave thie matter etntirely to theme
We answer that our patriotism makes us un willing for several and justifiable reasons,
and, to preclude controversy, for which we
have o10 taste, as well as to lay before all,
upon whom we call for aid, the "present
views and objects" of this association-we
feel it best to be explanatory now.
Ist.-There is no surety that either of the
parties mentioned will be competitors for
this patriotic prize.
2nd.-We object to.a purchase by Con gress most strenuously. Is there a true patriot with any regard for the credit of his
country, who has not had hie feelings out raged, by' debates,' on the Congres sional floor, and the "resolves"' of some of
our State Legislatures onl this subject? A
slight evidence of what would result if pos se.ssio?z should mnake it thle great yearly
battle" ground of pro and anti-slavery anti pathies."' The heart sickens at the mere
thought.:ft such a "future"' for it, such
" scenes" for oturselves, anld hopes that Vir ginia will never permnit it I
3rd(.-We demur to any goverinmenit pur chase whlethe Etate or federative,-because
sucli could not obtain folr it A; destination"
very ruch more creditable to our country,
or gratifying to our patriotic pride than that
contemplated by " Speculators"-our insti tutions, requiring a politicalpurpose to obtain
thepower to buy, or a, remunerative interest
on the invested funds. JWe do not consider
that a model farm" where daily work intrudes —-or a Hospital, where the maimed
aand suffering contaminate to the commonest
purposes of life-exactly consistent "with
the reverence due (and felt by us for) the
memory and chlaracter of him whose life is
so intimately associated with that spot"therefore-we desire to obtain Mt. Vernon,
and bestow it as a " trust gift" to Washingtoin's Mother State —" not only to secure it
forever fi'om the contingencies incident to
i a private possessio n" —but to a " fate
which will increase, not diminish, nor destroy, the "sacredness of feeling" —with
which Americans should ever regard it! Tc
ido this —thee house and ground should (as in
the old world) he repaired, and kept just a<.
lhe left them-his tomb made commensurate
witt, his worth and services, a nation's estimation of and gratitude for them, and not se now
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To the Daughters qf Washington.
323
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