The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-05-04
Il Soldiers .NeuOrju/.

MH. EDITOR: As there Is at the pres
ent time Il general movement throughout
the country in regard to the erection Of
suitable memorials to the honoreI dead
vino fell in the great struggle for the pres
crvatloh of the Union, and TO secure uni
vcr>ai freedom and equal rights through
out the length and breadth of our conn-
try and as an appropriation has been
made Tor the erection OF u memorial in
tins place, the question naturally arises.
How can we best secure the pcrpetuation
OF the names and history of our heroic
dead
Two ways present themselves for our
consideration first, by monuments of
stone; second, by buildings 10 secure
the most desirable and beneficial memoir
III for the living, It's we'll As the most salts
factory and honorable TO the memory of
the dead, Is question Of no small I'M
portancc. II 4 stone monument /, desired
the consideration arises, that a la,c,
amount must be expended to make any
thing CT a satisfactory show six thou
sand dollars will make but little; twelve
will rear nothing very striking. or any
thing that the builders could sit down
and say complliSantly that thcy were sat
i>iied with If marble he chosen. There
are serious objections to its Use. The Sc
verify OF our climate ha>tclls its diSintcera-
ton, and its rapid discoloration cannot be
sad to add much to its beauty. If nran-
tie be used, the outlay for cutting ill,crip-
tons must OF necessity be heavy. Gener-
al facts must be omitted for want Of room
nothing but tie names of the fallen can
find piace. The monumental pilc has mo
utility only As Il >hort-liyed means of Der
petuatng the names inscribed thereon.
Suppose it were decided to erect a b1iId-
ING IN memory Of the patriot dead. the en-
pensc would not exceed the sum that mo-
ce>>lty would compel to be expended upon
Il suitable monument. \ building coulJ
be made more conspicuous and ornament
tai, and as lasting, il constructed OF brick
OF stone, as amy monument that could be
erected Tor an equal amount And when
completed, it could be used in such :,
manner as to render it continual source
OF enjoyment and Improvement to the liv-
me and the memory Of the dead and
their history could be far better preserved
An appropriation has been made for
building an arsenal. Would it net be
wisdom to combine the memorial and ar
senal appropriations and erect building
OF dimensions in accordance with fine
wants OF the town, part to be occupied
as an arsenal. and the remainder fitted nm
tor Soldiers Memorial Hall. with =
reading room and library attached. open
to all the towns-people upon prescribed
conditions! The soldiers memorial hall
TO be appropriated finished and ornamcu-
ted. \ portrait Of each one who fell in
the strife could be hung upon the walls
as the cases are very rare where there is
no picture extant OF the deceased. And
these may all be copied of uniform size.
'''' ehcloseu In frames OF peculiar con-
strucflon' with the name and history OF
the individual inscribed thereon; or en-
sf'Ved upon suitable material and placed
peio" the portrait. What could be a
more suitable ornament, or a more pleas
ing memorial, than these Ekenesses. call
ING up to us the forms and features of the
loved ones who fell in the great battle for
right \ roll Of honor giving the name
OF each soldier from the town, time Of ser-
vice, and discharge, would be possessed Of
much interest to all.
Relics OF the contest might here be pre-
served that are now scattered tbrouchout
the land; that in a few years will pass
out OF sight and be forgotten. A coiIec-
ton OF this Kind would be possessed of ,