Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-03-10
A Suggestion.

To the editor of the alexandria Guzette:
To several counties Of the Northern Neck
Memorial Associations have been f'rmc,i among
the ladies for the purpose Of erecting suitable
monuments to the memory of the fallen soldiers
of the Confederate army King George, North
cumberland and Lancaster counties, mura encr-
petic. and We may add more patriotic than the
others, have already erected such monuments
1t is now proposed that steps shall be taken to
raise the money necessary to erect one IN West
moreland county. Instead Of confoi0g it to the
heroes of our late unfortunate cause, who fell
in battle, We propose that it shall be token of
our veDeratiop for the military chicitaius from
this county, who bad part in the var of 1872
and are now dead ami also for those who took
part 10 our first revolution. We thluk this
plan peculiarly appropriate for this county
The leader of our first armies, General Wash-
ington, was born here, and also the leader Of
our Confederate armies, General Lee. A mon
unent here Guild not be more appropriately
Inscribed than with the names OF those Two
| great and good warriors, whose lives were i'm
perilled upon many fields 10 defence Of their
honor and the interests of Virginia. The birth
place of Washington, or Stratturd, the biz h
place Of Gen. Lee, would be most appropriate
| mace for such monument. We think the
whole South would be interested, and "a very
small contribution from each Confederate SOL
diur who survives his great Cheflain, with
what could be derived from other sources,
would be sufficient to complete i work worthy
of such an object What could be more graft
flying to the families and friends Of those patri-
otic men who sleep beneath the sod Of their
loved Virginia, fallen champions of her un-
happy cause, than to see their names cut in
enduring granite beneath that of the great and
Christian warrior R. E. Lee? Would not
every citizen Of the United States, though
macy disapprove the cause 10 which Gen. Lee
served, be pleased to see such tribute to the
memory of those great chietllans, whose deeds
alike illustrate the character of American
genius The object OF these monuments, all
know, is to give TO posterlty IN an uLqu:stiOn.
able form, the names Of those who sacrificed
their lives 10 battling for the Confederate cause
and showing the appreciation of their couutry-
men. The names Of all, from the honest pri-
vste to the highest officer, is TO be Inscribed
upon it. If monument is made with the
names Of those soldiers aud sailors who fell iu
battle alone inscribed upon it, who would not
regret that the name of Gen. R. +. Lee should
have been lett OFT? Who, 10 future ages, wien
the passions and the prejudices Of this time
have long been forgotten, would ever look upon
q monument to the fallen soldiers of W cstmOre-
land, without feeling of regret that the name
Of Washington could have been overlooked
The county is rich IN patriotic memories, and
if we can, we should give enduring form to our
appreciation Of them. We would be glad TO
have this plan discussed by the press of this
and other States, aud if it meets the approval
Of the public. we propose TO take suitable steps
for giving it effect Each State shall be suit
ably recognized The birth place of Washing
ton is already uclosed with substantial iron
raiog, put up at the expense Of the State u
Virginia. Stratford, the birth plac. Of Genera
Lee, is kept up, aud Is now one of The most ii.
terestng places in the couuly. We presume
the State would not OF CT to our monument
being placed within its railing, OF the patriotic
lady who is so fortunate as to own S-ratford tC
its beiUg there. Either place would be uos
suitable and appropriate.
March I, 1874. WEsrMoRELAND.