The Evening critic., 1883-06-29

LtT IICtlul DIht.
THE festive worm is engaged in demol-
ishing the growing cotton in Lowndes
County, Alabama. Why can't the savants
of our Agricultural Department discover
some cheap and effective method to give
the cotton worm, potato bug and like pests
their quietus.
ONE of the disadvantages of set speech
is seen in the deliverance of Major Daniels
magnificent Grafton at Lexington yesterday
at the unveiling of the recumbent statue of
the great hero of the Confederacy. Re-
ferring to General Joseph E. Johnston, the
orator said
Meanwhile the Army of Northern Virginia
had made name In history. Under the ia
NOUS commander, Joseph E. Johuston-and
cannot speak that name without bowling tho
homage OF my heart TO the illustrious soldier
and noble gentleman who bears it-but whose
presence here forbids the full expression OF
the praises which his name excite 10 utter
ance, etc.
In the reporters notes We find that
Considerable regret was expressed at the ab-
sence of General Joseph E. Johnston, who was
TO have presided.
Such slight slip, however, detracts little
from the high excellence of Major Daniels
-S-
THE LAW IN FORCE in this District in
relation to liens on buildings for work done
thereon by mechanics and laborers is almost
8 dead letter, for the reason that it is opera
tive only in those cases IN which the work
man is employed directly by the owner of
the building. Under the law of Mary
land the workmen employed by a con-
tractor or builder is as we'll protected in his
rights as the man he works for, provided
that he gives the owner due notice of the
amount of his claim. After receiving such
notice the owner of the building is required
to withhold, out of any lien laid by the
contractor or builder the amount due to
the workman or workmen giving the
notice.
1t would be we'll if the several labor
unions connected with the building trades
in this city should depute a competent
committee to consider the defects in our
present law on this subject and draw up
proper bill for submission to Congress at
its next session. Such a committee can
readily obtain any needed cooperation from
some lawyer of experience, and all the
werkingmen's organizations of the District
will, doubtless, unite in support of meas
ure so prepared. If the measure is ably
and judiciously drawn it may serve as a
model for those States whose laws on this
mand the support of the building trades
throughout the country. We can also
promise it the hearty sympathy of TIE
EVENING CRITIC.
WHAT need is there to talk of "clasping
hands across the bloody chasm" after the
services yesterday at Lexington? In what
country since history began to record the
deeds of men has it been allowed the de-
feated in civil war to publicly mourn theii
dead heroes and lament their lost cause?
That these things are done among US /:
the best proof ut once of the generosity Of
the victors and the patriotism of the van
quished. To decorate the graves of their
dead ON Memorial Day; to exalt theil
cause lost ON the stricken field of battle
to eulogize the great hearts who led
them in the conflict; to regret
the flag, fallen but never dis
honored, which foated over them in vic
tory and in defeat-these things it is righ
that they should do, aud they do then
with regret for the past and hope for tn,
future. And that these things are per
mitted to be done in remembrance of an Of
fort which successful would have disrupted
this Nation is the strongest possible proc
Of the stability of our republican institu
tions. No other nation that eve
existed would have dared to per
nit them. The monument t
Lee not only perpetuates the memory @
the Confederacys greatest chieftain, it at
tests the endurance of our republican in
stitutions. Every reunion of Confederat
soldiers to fight their battles over again
an eloquent Grafton upon the perpetuity @
our republic. Every Southern menoria
day is touching demonstration of til
power of true republic to forgive thos
sons whose misguided hands sought he
life. Greatest of these occasions an
strongest of these witnesses is the seen
enacted in the humble chapel of that CO.
lege in whose name that of Lee is linke
with that of the elder and greater Vii
ginian, Washington.
THE LAST NUMBER of the Ninetseat
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