Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-11-15
For the Spectator.
EMORY. Va. Nov. 5th. 1870.

EMORY, VA, Nov. 9th, 1870
Mr. EDITOR We. the Students and Fac
ulty Of this College, have organized Memo
rial Association for the purpose of taking care
of the graves of the Confederate Soldiers here
inferred. AT our usual meeting, held a few
days since for the election Of officers for the
subsequent term, on motion of Prof JAS. A.
Davis, it was
Resolred, lst That we inquire into the ex-
pediency of erecting monument to their mem
Ory
Resolved End, That each member be empow-
cred to solicit contributions In this vicinity and
elsewhere, and forward the same to the Treas
urer of said Association.
We have expended considerable amount of
labor and money In putting the graves in a
condition becoming christian community, and
our treasury is exhausted Will not the friends
and patriots of the sunny South contribute
something to consummate an end SO noble In
the eyes of men and especially SO in the sight
of God? All the citizens of this glorious old
Commonwealth foster in their hearts too vivid
recollection of the past; they hold in too
great reverence the names of those who fell
on the bloody plains Of Manassas. Gettysburg
and Charlottesville, battling for their tres
passed rights and country's honor, to even hes
isate in granting this little request as testi-
mony of their gratitude.
When the whole State was overrun by an
overwhelming force Of the enemy, and with fire
and sword they ruthlessly spread devastation
on all sides when it seemed if the lurid
lightnngs Of the great Jehovah had burst a.
sunder from their sombre hiding places, prog
nosticating immediate destruction to every crea-
ture-hke the little Spartan band at Thermop-
ylae-the proud sons of Virginia were seen
staunch, choosing rather to perish than forsake
the posts which the voice of their common
country had assigned them.
Never did brighter jewels adorn the pages Of
history, and although the casket in which they
were contained is now broken, yet in no wise
does it detract from their lustre and magnif
cence but only adds more glory and celebrity
to their former fame to know that they were
crushed in the cause of liberty and humanity.
Do we not owe such worthless some tribute of
respect? know the unanimous response of
the multitude. Forbid it God that Virginia
should be remiss in her duty that she now in
in her greatest prosperity should pluck one
gem from the ccronet of her future greatness
Our fathers, now sleeping placdly beneath the
cold and wetering sod, still moist from the
breath Of the two contending armies, would cry
out with Indignation to think they were so soon
forgotten | will refrain, for fear that while
depict, may do injustice to their ilustrious
deeds; but permit me to ask you to remember
that the civilization Of nation is judged by
the care it takes of its dead. | hope the age
of commemoration is at hand. Now let US
demonstrate our gratitude-not by vaunting
words, but by stretching forth the strong arm
of prosperity and plenty, and erect a suitable
monument to celebrate their heroic actions
Any contributions will be kindly and thank
fully received. and properly expended.
Yours, very truly,
s. s HI.
N B-Papers duly appreciating our design
will please copy.