Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-02

| famous Marine band; but is expected
that the music for dancing will be fur
| nished by outside parties, as not less
than $50 pieces will be required, the cost
of which four years ago was 81, 800.
| The ball of course will be scarcely more
| than such in name, there being only the
merest pretence of dancing, the main OBJ
ject of the participants being to see and,
| in some cases, perhaps, to be seen.
Already a large number of societies
and organized bodies of various kinds
have applied for accommodations and
places in the line of march, and the
eagerness manifested foreshadows the
most interesting event of the time in the
history, of the nation.
took walk the other day over to
Arlington. Of the many military ceme-
teries established and cared for by the
nation. there is certainly none that can
begin to compare with this one in To-
cation and features of general interest.
Though in Virginia, it is so near the city
as to seem almost part of it: and yet,
when one visits it, he is struck with the
air of repose and quiet that prevades
everything. From the old-fashioned
portico of the historic mansion a view
may be ATTAINED which it would be
difficult to rival anywhere. 1t takes in
the broad sweep of the Potomac, the
city beyond, with is domes and palaces,
and still beyond. as well as on either
hand, the wooded hills and smiling
slopes Of Maryland and Virginia. In
regular lines with modest head
and foot-stones are laid the mortal
remains of many THOUSANDS who
persisted that the nation might
live; and along the beautifully
tended walks and drives. suitably blazon-
ed, are placed numerous quotations from
well known elegaic poets. None OF these
are better or more strikingly appropriate
than this StanZa:
"On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac Of the dead"
The grave of General Sheridan is al
most in front of the mansion. 1t has a
commanding site and, being isolated
from the other graves, will naturally
always command an unusual degree of
attention apart from that which the
fame Of General Sheridan would
naturally excite. 1t is under
stood that Mrs. Sheridan proposes
herself to erect a monument above the
remains of her dead husband; while a
more public tribute to his memory and
fame will probably take the shape of
statute to be erected upon new circle
in the extension of Massachusetts ave-
nue. which has just been christened
Sheridan Circle" In contemplating
this scene one cannot but deeply regret
that the remains of General Grant, the
greatest of the heroes of the war of the
rebellion should have also found
sepulchre in this charming spot. As
Grant and Sheridan were SO intimately
and heroically associated in life. it seems
a pity that their remains should be SO far
separated in death and especially as the
spot chosen for the last resting place of
Grant seems, and always will seem, to
the great masses of American people as
singularly inappropriate.
The historical associations with which
Arlington aboundS are decidedly inter-
esting. The mansion and estate were
once the property of George Washing
ton Parke Gusts, the adopted son of
Washington. This gentleman survived
to very old age, and many are now liv-
ing who can easily recall the old gentle
mans characteristics and peculiarities.
Later the place came into the ownership
of the Lee family, and the outbreak of
the rebellion found General Robert L.
Lee in possession. After he had taken
up arms against the country which had
nurtured and educated him, and had as
sumed the military leadership of the
Confederacy, steps were taken to dispOs-
sess him and his family of the title under
the confiscation act of congress.
Through the operations of this act
the estate came into the possession of
the government, and was set apart to
the uses for which it is now employed.
Some years after the close of the REBEL
ion an action was commenced in behalf
of the heirs of General Lee to set aside
the condemnation under confiscation
on the ground that such
condemnation practically worked an at
and was, therefore, repugnant to
the C constitution. The correctness of
this view was finally maintained by the
courts, and provision was made by con-
gress for reimbursing these heirs. To
do them justice, they had no thought of
seeking to dispoSSesS the government.
and the suit was in every respect an am
icable one, resulting only in the pay
ment of very reasonable price for the
taken.
There seems to be an eminent fitness
in subjecting the former home of the late
chief of the rebellion to the sa-
cred purposes to which it has since been
dedicated. If there ever was an in
stance of strict poetic justice. it is this.
And thus does the ''whirligig of time
bring round its revenges.'
SEDGWICK.
The farmers convention to be holden