The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-30
Two THE PEOPLE or THE SOUTH.

"The Ladies Memorial Association for Confcd
erat" Dead II Oakwood,' near Richmond, kIrgl-
mia was organized permanently ON tia" 18th April.
1865 FOR the purpose of resCuing from oblivion The
names and graves Of the gallant Confederate dead
who sleep at Oakwoud Cemetery.
This Cemetery, situated on" NIL" east oi IN"
city. contains sixteen Thousand Confederate sol
dies graves, larger number than any other III The
south. including representative dead from every
southern STATE.
The graves are in neglected. condition, the
names al the cupauts marked only hy rude pieces
of board carrles>iv aud slightly put in I'll" earth.
Thr grounds are dc,olatc aud un"nci">"d.
The Common Council OF the city "t klchmohd
has undertaken tn" work Of enclosing the Gene
terry, aud has made the requisite Appropriation Tor
that purpose. ,..,..-
Association proposes for itself is simply this;
First TO turf each grave and mark II with neat
wooden head. board. upon which l. Ia be inscribed
the name OF the occupant, his state, regiment, and
company, aud other information III regard to MN.
Secondly. To lay ont and decorate The grounds,
and t. redeem them from their present condition o
utter ch"rrlcs-ness and desolation. And
Thirdly. Al some future day, when the Finances
Of the Association shall permit IT, to replace me
wooden head boards with enduring marble, and To
erect 4 handsome monument tor each State ol the
south, COMMUNICATING its dead
To effect theS. purposes II is necessary To appeal
10 the people Of the south for pecuuiary assistance.
The Associatiou i poor, the people of Richmond
are poor, and the work Ia be done l. Tor the honor
aud credit of the entire south. II would De an IN
,rllible shame and an ever present disgrace IL,
having the power to honor our dead, to perpetuate
their names aud memories, ana to preserve ana
H. lie neglected aud forgotten until the frall re-
cords Of their names, death, and burial places are
totally destroyed by decay, and the task rendered
impossible. How many families throughout the
south have representatives. sleeping AT Oakwood
Cemetery How many mothers, and sisters, and
fathers and brothers and friends, would be sooth ed
and gratiied To know that their brave dead Were
honored, and their graves cared Tor ana tended
Who would not be shocked and panied Ia witness
the present lamentablp condition of thcs" graves,
and To see how rapidly the hand Of Time IL obi
terating all traces and memorials of the gallant
dead who died for Us
Could the people of the south look upon the
lonely, desolate and neglected graves, no appeal
would be necessary. The silent rebuke of these
forgotten heroes would reach the hearts and CON
sciences OF every Christian man and woman ct the
south.
This Association is not for day or year; II is
not the passing fancy of an hour or the ephemeral
creature OF momentary impulse IL Is perma-
noutly organized, with already two hundred and
Hfty active members. Twill know no rest until It's
purposes are successfully and fully achieved. IL
will not fail ii cannot fail. II should not fail until
the manhood of the south has lost tts chivaIry and
until its women have ceased To mourn Tor their
children because " they are not"
In this work Of piety and care the Association
solpmnlv pledges It's honor to the people OF the
south to apply faithfully and economically the
funds which may be contributed.
Editors friendly 10 the purpose of this Associa-
ton will confer favor by copying into their pa
pers this appeal.
Contributions are urgently solicited.
They may he sent 10 the Rev. John Il. Edwards,
Rev < Z. Dickinson, Rev. VIM. Norwood, Rev. i.
B. Price, Rev. J. A. Proctor, Richmond, Va, or 10
Mrs. +. ). Turpin, Treasurer of lakewood Memorial
Mrs NJ. ii. SMITH, President.
Mrs. A. X. COURTNEY, Secretary.
my 26-d&swlw