Morning journal and courier., 1883-06-07
COMMUNICATIONS.
The soldiers Monument.

The Soldiers Monument.
Ts the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
Your kind offer to publish what is being
thought and spoken in regard to the Soldiers
monument ought to be appreciated, and the
opportunity offered ought TO bs improved.
The last Memorial day was fitly celebrated );
from the preparation of the programme to
the last syllable uttered, all was tasteful and
spirited and worthy of the day and of the
dead. But it was largely the work of sur
viving comrades worthily leading in cause
which ought to be especially borne upon the
hearts and upon the purses of those for
whom the great sacrifice was made. The
noble spirits that now labor in this noblest
of causes in the ordinary course of nature
must soon disappear, and those still surviv
ing will be fewer and fewer and at last will
not be able in any form to carry on this Me-
mortal day unless others shall come forward
to do what ought to be done to commemor-
ate it as perpetual memorial for
ages to come. How shall this be
accomplished most certainly, most
fittingly? This question presses upon
the soldiers, upon every friend of the great
work tho dead offered their lives to accom-
plish, upon ever patriotic heart. A monu-
has the merit of being done with good intent,
with kindly wish to serve, with hope that
it may be effective.
With all respect to the gentlemen having
this matter in charge this seems to be grave
mistake. The time was when such method
seemed fitting and appropriate, but it is past.
Everywhere The relative uselessness of such
forms to accomplish the object aimed at
IS becoming more and more recognized.
To be most effective for the purpose we all
wish to accomplish this memorial ought to
be associated inseparably not only with the
honor of the soldiers but with the noblest
and most vital of the large continuing inter-
ests of the succeeding generations as they
rise and come forward upon the stage of ac-
ton. They act not wisely who would seek
no better foundation for securing attention
and respect from the future than monu-
ment isolated from passing interests. It
will be inevitably neglected, become
subject to be defled by dogs and
small boys. and so become a terror
to those who may approach it. 1t will rela-
lively soon by the action of the elements and
of time become an unsightly heap. Such
is the inevitable tendency. What is
everybody's business is nobody's of course.
But the chances are very largely that the
mere bronze or marble monument will be no
better than those which other cities have
erected, and this is to say that it will proba-
bly, be such as to make every judieious friend
of the soldiers or of art grieve and pass with
averted gaze and a prayer for some merciful
lightning to shatter it from top to bottom.
This none of US wants.
How greatly preferable for the object We
all aim at would memorial building be in
which can be preserved what most vividly re-
calls to surviving friends the sainted dead,
whether they be portraits or photographs or
bas-reliefs or statues or statuettes done in
marble or bronze, or the personal accoutre-
ments, such as sword or gun. These can be
preserved in building. The humblest can
hang there photograph if they will, and the
State or city or town may fitly
in such place secure all that the
plastic arts can do to preserve
the memory of the chief actors. Then sup
pose that building to be in part the place of
all others most sacredly kept in order for
other reasons, when it will be fitly lighted
with electric light and be warmed for other
reasons than to care for the memory of the
dead-reasons that will always be effective to
accomplish that object. This will secure a
perpetual and befitting Memorial day, that
will not lag when the surviving comrades
grow few and weak. You thus securely link
it to the living interests. You place it where
it cannot fail to be always kept in honor and
in increasing not decreasing, honor and re-
gard.
The name of Elihu Yale is SO linked with
our noble university that every endowment
made to it since his has been an added mem
| orial to the wise founder. Every endowment
or gift that may hereafter be made, every
| service done to anyone for Yale col
| lege will but add to his renown.
What a hint is here for US.
Let us then SO judiciously use this passing
hour and its opportunities that at no time
hereafter can the fame of those who wrought
| so nobly and SO well be ignored. Place the
object suggestive of them where the best men
and women will naturally meet and where
thsre shall be abundant suggestions to recall
them vividly to mind and make them and
their services the occasion for grateful and
instructive conversation; where the young
shall catch up the theme and grow up with
hearts warmed with patriotic zeal and intelli-
gent understanding of the worth of all that
has gone before them and of all that devolves
upon themselves to do. Another day as to
the places proposed. JOSEPH SHELDON.