The National tribune., 1885-08-13
THE GAR. MONUMENT.
Reply of Commander in.Chief Burdett to Gen
Hayes.
HEADQUARTERS
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
rII II A 90

WASHINGTON, ID. o., Aug. 4, 1850. J
Gen. r. B. HAYES Fremont, o.
DEAR SIR AND COMRADE: I have your let
ter of the 29th ult., referring to my published
letter of the 25th and to your printed reply of
the 9th. I note with concern that it still
seems to you to be the duty of the authorities
of the GAR. to encourage their comrades to
contribute to the building of monument at
the grave of Gen. Grant in New York. / have
been unable to bring my mind into accord with
yours on that point. The state of the question
between us seems to be this: 1t being deter
mined that the interment of the body of our
late comrade shall be in public park, under
the control of the municipal authorities of New
York city, you are of opinion that the national
monument, which is to signalize for all time the
love and veneration of the whole people for
their greatest servant, should be erected over
his body in that place, and that the means for
its erection should be provided by the volun-
tary subscription of the people, the Grand
Army of the Republic participating as subscrib-
ers to and chief promoters of the fund, its
splendid organization being utilized for aiding
and pushing the work of soliciting and for
warding contributions. On the other hand,
hold to the opinion that the Grand Army will
desire first of all to erect its own distinctive
monument to our cOmrade, not at great cost,
but for that purpose raising only such sum as,
composed of the equal contribution of each in
dividual comrade, shall be within the reach and
the glad gift of the poorest ton this we do not
Disagree; that the national monument to be
erected to Gen. Grant should be of such pro-
portions and cost as to be beyond the reach of
private benevolence and of right and propriety
ought to be ordered by the Congress of the
United States and paid for out of the National
Treasury, aud that consequently the Grand
Army should not be called upon for the effort
you indicate.
Briefly stated, my reasons are:
LIST. The people of the whole country with al
most unanimity look upon the burial of their
best loved citizen and commander at the place
now selected as unfit and but temporary. So sure
as we have to- morrow, the Nation will claim
her own, and in soil which is the property of
the whole people, under the protection and sole
jurisdiction of the laws of the United States,
and within the peace of the Republic, will fix
his place of final rest; they will, with loving
care, out of their own affections, as we'll as be-
cause of the wish of the dead, leave place by
his side for her whose name, with his, will be
imperishable. Over that spot the national
monument will be erected. Because, as believe,
this thought is in the heart of the people, they
will not with readiness open their purses in aid
of the New York project; they viii perceive
that, by however pretentiouS name it may be
called, it will come to be but one of the many
monuments to be erected by the States and
communities to the memory and fame of Grant.
9. Steps already taken indicate that local
pride and purpose are at many points now
active. Illinois, whose citizen he was when he
stepped forth to serve his country's flag, has
appointed her committee to gather the funds
and direct the work of memorial. Ohio will
remember that he was her son, and will be
swift to commemorate him. The chief city of
Missouri will recolect that he there set up that
hearthstOne whose story adds, if that were pos
sble fragrance to the name of home, and if the
men of st. Louis could forget the women would
remember to build an altar there. Notice ap-
pears that Grand Army comrades are to be
asked to take counsel as to erecting monu-
ment at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Who will
doubt that ON the Pacific at San Francisco,
where that great hearted welcome home"
was given him on his return from abroad, the
same Astounding loyalty and generosity will
make due provisions for monument to his
memory. These are only the examples which
/ believe will be followed in most of the States
of the Union. l rejoice at it. | would have
impershable reminders of him within the sight
of all the people. The Posts of the Grand
Army and the individual comrades will be
asked to lead in securing the means for these
memorials. The auxiliary organization, the
Woman's Relief Corps, will be called on for its
always-efiicient aid
/ am not charged with any official dat in
this regard; my words are only the persuasions
of comrade but find it in my heart to wish
for these local efforts, whether to have express
sion in the parks of New York. of Chicago st.
Louis, or elsewhere, every success, and the
more so because / know that these will not
hinder the erection, all in due time. of that
greater memorial which shall be CT edi able to
the Nation he served and saved, and therefore
adequate to his fame. When We shall have
closed over him on Saturday next the door of
his place of soourn, l shall take the liberty,
unless you otherwise direct, to give this letter
to The NATIONAL TRIBUNE, of this city, and
to the press generally, confident that my CON-
rades will do in the premises that which is just
and wise.
Fraternally. yours, 8. s. BURDETT.