Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-05-03


MosumkSr AssoorAffoS.-- Al a speci,.l meet
ing of the Monument Association, a. N. Brice,
Esd, reported the following circular letter,
which, on motion, was adopted and ordered TO
be printed -- rH.|
TO @s People Of Northumberland County:
l. Is proposed to build n monument to the me-
mory of the deceased soiderswho went from this
county into the war for the suppression OF the
rebellion. To carry out this object we have or
ganizcd the Northumberland County Soldiers
Monument Association. This Association aims
to unite the efforts and sympathies of all our
people.and so as 10 make its work popular offer
ing. We believe it is not so MUCH the money ex-
pended on sdch a memorial, as the expression of
popular gratitude of which IL is the exponent,
which gives such q tribute its best significance.
We appeal to the peope-not to sect, party,
clan, society or local intercst-to all who suffer
ed in their persons or families, and to those who
feel for tlem--to every one who has heart TO
feel and to throb responsive to patriotic senti-
ment and love of country-to every one who ap-
preciates the rare conservation and the noble Of
iering of heroic ives II matters not what par
ty name our soldiers bore what their creed, their
calling or their social station. 1t Is enough that
we were neighbors. and now our patriot dead
that the nation life was imperiled, and that the
valor of our citizen sodery saved our grand fa-
brio o { government You will not, therefore, Ca
vii about details, Dor hesitate TO aid us in this
great work. How best to do what lies so near
our hearts desire il What most concerns us now.
The soldiers of Northumberland county come
from all her parts-fTom the mine, the busy shop,
the counting house and the field of hushlndry.
With the opening ofhostilities our heroes march
ed to Falling Waters and advanced upon the
common foe. With persistent bravery they
fought at Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Cham
cellorsville, Gettysburg, at Winchester and in
the Wilderness. On every Southern field our
comrades fought and fell, and on every field the
bones of some are bleaching in honor of the
courtry's flag. They peered the scenic splcndor
of Lookout Mountain, and charged upon Early's
army in the valley. Their chivaric exploits at
Petersburg are known, and the stirring memo
ries of Appomsttox still excite the soul, while
! the triuinphal March TO the Sea Is left to move
our eXuting memories. All the soldiers of our
! county have place iu your hearts, and tho Me
mortal Granite VIC propose should rise for all.
Our shattered but not dishonored battle flags
| have been furled for eight years. The passage
| of time has brought and passed eight anuyersa-
| ries Of the deaths of or heroes, and while
| spring has been clothing their graves with green
/ since Peace came to us, we have spread the car
| ly flowers upon their silent tomhs in sweet me-
/ mcnto of their undying worth yet no monument
stands forth to tell the sacrcdncss of their mem
ory or the gratitude OF the living. Many
/ have cherished the hope. that suitable
monument would be erected at some tUtuge day,
: aud the opportunity is now presented for com
hlning this purpose into one common cause. We
believe that this proposed granite shaft will rise
In recognition of all soldiers, ana that it can
be built without any individual contribution
large enough to he burden.
We believe you wouli not hs satisfied with an
unworthy or an Inadequate expression OF your es-
innate of the effort Of brave men whose roVc of
country was stronger than their love Of life, nor
/ with any inferior monument to which the eyes of
our children shall turn for the recognition given
to herosm that shall brighten the history Of the
Republic while man aspres for freedom. We
/ must not take counsel of our fears, nor shrink
from the effort to do what ought to be drnc in
| this matter now. there is more too poor to aid
where all are interested 'none cold enough to be
| indifferent to cause whose appeals thrill our
better nature. Let the mother and the wife. the
boy and the girl now blooming into manhoO!
and womanhoOd and all who have received the
stern shock of the battle, these and the friends
of these, rally to the call make for aid. Let
it be cheerful, hearty. full and free The living
soldier and the memory OF the heroic dead appeal
to you for your action, for your time, your mo-
ney, your sympathy, your encouragement.
Let the monument be built lay its fCun Ia
tion deep aud strong Rear its shaft chastr and
high. Let it's simple grandeur speak of the he
roism il shall commemorate, and express the en-
during gratitude OF patriotic hearts rall future
tlmc
Let US bury around this granite column Whch
VIC dosiSn 90 erect, s.l lVIai iCtiousiea ana dis
putes, in honor prelcrring one another, and here
cmbalming the memory Of our noble dead--ouI
dead in that they fought and died in defence Oi
the government of the peopc-strcngth in ON
fratcrual feeling, and renew our fcalty TO the in
sttutions they aud their comrades saved for U-
to enjoy. We trust the virtues which this mon
umcnt shall fit!y celebrate will he fresh and
grateful to those who shall people your bcauti
tHl hills and peaceful valley lcns after We are
gone.
This appeal is made to an inc people of tn,
. county--not in the interest of any person Ol
town, or economic Interests, not to foster party
purpose, nor to minister to local pride. We deem
the cause worthy, and we Zee, Hu interest In III
success. The Association IN whose name VT
speak appeals to the popular sense nf what Is