Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-09-08
For tie Register.
For ne N7glSlfT.
BELLEMoNT, Va, August 81, 1866.

BELLEMoNT, Va, August 81. 1866.
Deor Ziule.-I always read with pleas
ure any thing which appears IN your IN
I.eresling Journsl, and more especially
any thing which concerns the doIngs OF
your people. 1t is scarcely necessary for
me to tell you then of the great delIsh
with which | hailed the news published
in your issue of the 25h of August. of the
intention OF you all to procure Cemele-
ry for the inlermen, OF your noble, go'
rous and illus,rious dead, who fell in de-
fence of cause as holy, as righteous. as
lust, as ever enlisted mans sacrifice or
his efforts. This is noble enterprise,
and but bespeaks the character OF your
people for patriotism and chvalfy, in
which they yield TO none as superlors,
and acknowledge few as equsl-. Ii has
often been source of much qualification
TO me 10 listen TO The praises of strangers
bestowed without limit upon them for
hospitality and devotion 10 L'beny and
independence. and could you hear as |
have heard the praises Of your Ladies
sung, it would make your heart. as 1t did
mine, though depressed, leap for JOY. |
have heard the robust and The strong tell
of their deeds of kindness, and speak in
glowing terms of The nobIeness OF their
hearts. and | have heard the manned and
wounded while their hears swellet 10
overlooking, and their eyes let oul The
briny tear to course down their pallid
cheek, as they thought of loved ones al
home, home far, far away bless The La
dies of Shepherdslo as mlnIse'Ing an
gels. Even while now write have tie
voice OF one which is ever eloquent IN
their praises, and ferven, in prayer Tor the
richest blessings Of God upon them, and
what is more beautiful, both in praise and
prayer the voice of mother, sister mlngIes
with that of son. and this is hut the case
with thousands Of mothers, sisters, sons,
IN our sunny, tho oppressed South.
God speed then The Ladies in their no.
bic efUr, TO secure spot for such hal,
lowed purposes. There are many sights
on the banks OF the beautiful Potomac
which mighl be s'ecleI as appropriate,
and with llde trouble rendered, fit and
suitable deposi DRY and final resting place,
not only for your own loved anC cherish
ed ones but for those also from sister
States and sections, who have laid them
down 10 rest upon the soil, lhe homes OF
people for whose liberation and freedom
they obviously fought, bed aud died. As
said, how appropriate would be such "a
place, for the location OF such Ceme'e-
~. The 1--WE" Potomac as ii gIoes
along "leapng, lodlng like child" to-
pay lis silver tribute 10 lhe Ocean, would
sing in one eternal Tequium their prai.es;
and the evening sun. as II kissed The con-
secrated spot, e'er il sank TO rest, would
rise again to gild it with brightness.
Il emblem only Of their fame. 'TwoulJ
be holy place. where all might repair
To renew alresd their devotion 10 Liberty,
aud in sad and solemn memory recount
the virtues, enobIe the sacrifices of the
undyine sleepers beneath HE sacred sod.
'Twou be Mecca, yes, holy Mecca,
sacred aud hsllowed as any to which Pill
grim ever ,rod, where the faithful and he
vIrlnous might wend their way al even.
ing's hour. and return refreshed, aye in
ded beUered from The sad aud solemn,
tho pleasan, contemplation, which the
surroundings Of the spot had called into
existence. 'Twould be a private spot,
too. away from The busy hsunls Of men,
where only The true and virluous would
resort as sacred duty, TO pay their hom-
age and devotion TO the memory OF those
noble ones, who, tho unseen, inhablt ii,
for nethnks the sight, aye, even the bare
mention Of il, would cause the blush OF
shame, i shame thfy haze, 10 mantle
the cheeks Of those who rsired the hand
10 give force TO the weight of the dagger
which stabbed common Mother TO The
heart. lie, then no effort. no energy, be
spared 10 "have a Cemetery - there are
slou, hearts and strong arms enough a
mong you 10 carry on such a glorious
work TO speedy and final complexion.
and lie, them with hearts and arms resolve
and do the bidding OF the Ladies, and the
work will be done.
| cannot conceive Of any effort which
appeals more strongly for aid, prompt
and speedy aid from your citizens than
this truly laudabls one; and cannot think
that there are but comparatively few a.
mong you, who will not TO The extent of
their ability, do all they can 10 accom-
plish this truly prsiseworlhy Undertaking
Are our marlyred dead not entitled TO this
tribute al least. Of our veneraiion and re-
spec, and does not their very bones which
now slmos, bleach upon your plains, or
are scattered here and there over your
fields which are rendered famous by