Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-04-22
AMEMoRrAL BUILDING
o the Editor OF the Eagle

! The question of building memorial hall
in this city by Garfield Post, Nc. %. Grand
Army of the Republic, has been sgitated
considerably of late. The time and occa-
sion seem propitious and ! see no good
reason why the efforts that are now being
pnt forth should not be crowned with sue
Gers. Smaller and less pretentious towns
than Wichita have already accomplished
this result and are proud Of it. Already u
charter has been applied for and nine di-
rectors elected by the post. \ plan has
been agreed upon for raising the necessary
funds, at least $500 of which i. expected
| to be contributed or donated 10 the post by
those not eligible to membership in the or
der. This is not an extrayagsnt sum to ask
the people TO go down into their pockets
for in city of 5000 inhabitants, when the
object for which it is required is kept in
view. The old soldiers, the men who have
made it possible, by risking their lives and
offering them free sacrifice to the nation,
that YOU and might enjoy the benefits of Il
peaceful country, have strong desire TO
leave behind them in this beautiful city of
their adoption and partial creation, monu-
ment, not Of marble, but of brick and iron,
that will serve las place Of resort for them
in their social meetings Wills: they remain
with Us; that will be source of revenue 10
them for charitable distribution to the sick
and needy of their organization, and finally
when the last veteran sleeps beside his dead
comrade in yonder cemetery. will be occu-
pied by his children in perpetuatins the
principles Of loyalty which characterized
the lives Of their fathers. There should be
no sectional strife in the location of this ed
iicc. Its managers, composed Of business
men, certainly have the best interests of the
enterprise at heart, and know what they
are doing. They are governed, We feel
satisfied, BY no selfish motives but by az
earnest desire to accomplish the work they
have been selected to do, with as little tric-
ton ss possible, and not in the interest OF
any property holder who might be benefited
pecuniarily by the erection of a fine editicc
AZ iIis CIiltt lii- sun
ject has been agitated and the matter has
got so far along that over $1,000 has been
the people of Wichita unless
lost TO all sense of local pride and public
enterprise cannot afford 10 let this under
taking fall through. At some period dur
ing the next twelve months, it Is highly
probable that an immense body of the
Grand Army will assemble in this city. LIT
me ask W what incentive might there b.
for their commanding officer 10 exert his
to secure this boon for Wichita |
when it Is demonstrated BY her citizens that
his services would be appreciated only so
far rs it put money into their pockets |
Rather show -Four appreciation in advance
by liberal donations TO this Memorial hall |
fund and it viii be construed a. AN appre-
citation OF the combined efforts Of the soldier |
element in yonr midst for what they have
done for the country, and for what they
propose to do in the erection of an eliiicc |
that will be an ornament 20 Wichita and |
monument to their memories.
VI. STEWART.