The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-26
A Monument at Andersonville.

1t is reported that monument is to be
raised OH the site of the dark prison pens
at Andersonville, in commentator OF
the victims who have persisted within
its precincts. The idea is a capital one.
Those who there died as much deserve
monumental honOrs as those who fell in
the red conflict of battle. They consti-
tute the true martyrs of the war. Vic
Tins either of neglect or Internal malice,
their memories should be doubly consc-
Grated with us for whom they died, Of
loathsome diseases and starvation. The
historical p0rtraiture of the war would
be incomplete, though every battlefield
and every hero of the late war had each
monument, if the victims Of Anderson
vile had no monumentalmark. In pain
and in sorrow they pinned and languish-
ed :; and languishing they died. But
their memories will perish not. The
whole region around the Andersonville
| Prison should be cOnsecrated to their
memory, that all hereafter to the latest
ages shall approach it as holy ground.
| Peace to your ashes, all We who there
lie in the repose of death! Mans inhu-
manity to man We keenly felt in your
lives: but in your deaths shall be illus
trated how grateful generous nation
can be to its benefactors!
If this monument at Andersonville
shall reflect the horrors of the dead, il
must also reflect the infamy of the liv-
ing. Future ages will look up to this
monumental shaft, and Confederate
chvalry must feel its eye-balls scared
and its cheek blanched in the sight of
that awful attesting witness. We are
anxious to see the real History of An
Jacksonville written, without prejudice
or partially, and to have the impartial
verdict sealed. On those who were
guilty let the great awe fall, and let the
load of disgrace be lifted from off all
those who deserve not the reproach.
The whole Southern people are con-
cerned in this great historical question.
We have no idea that it will ever be
shown that the general body OF the
Southern people will ever be made to
bear the responsibility of the foul deeds
of the Prisoners Pen. DECEASED soldiers
and Infatuated prison-keepers may have
,tisgraced human nature there; but we
"a n never believe that the Southern peo-
ME ever considered those atrocities any
inst measure of retaliation either in
kind or in degree.
And, while upon the historical justice
of the engraving, it may be well to re-
member that there may possibly have
been two parties to the crimes of this
Prison Pen. 1t is a hard word to say,
but now that the day has come q Tor
awarding in, partial Justice with a, firm ;n
and steady hand TO all concerned itSo curing ln,
tbe late rebellion IN acts OF either CON-
n MISSION or omission, there can De no
re- ' ason why the truth should not be
known. it has been more than suspected
-. Of our own government was not at all
times wholly free from the imputation
of negleeting these prisoner, o, o Marm
and its political consequences, and a
nuite too nice arithmetical balance of the
numbers of our own and the enemy's
prisoners, our brave champions were left
TO starve and to die in the hands of a
cruel enemy. Heaven grant that the
dark stain may be lifted from us, and
fixed upon those more able to bear it, if
any there are who can stand up beneath
the load of infamy.-Boston Post.