Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-14
WEDNESDAY MAY ii. 1890

Library and Confederate Museum
The people will be very much disappointed IL
they are not allowed to have the JEFF' DAVIS
mansion for a public library and Confederate
memorial hall and museum.
In the form the proposition was submitted 10
the Council aud as It was passed upon ny we
City Attorney, there we're grave legal OBJECTIONS
The charter does not permit the city 10 give the
property 10 the Hollywood Memorial Association
Whether 10 has the power 70 lease II to the nsso-
citation was not considered but a new ana strong
or movement has been made looking 10 co-ope-
yntion between the Virginia and tho southern
Ai.torical Societies and the Ladies' Hollywood
Association with the Wow Of securing the pro-
perty for use az public library; that's TO say
IN furtheranco Of popular education, TO provide
for which the charter gives the city considerable
powers
Tho two historical societies might manage the
library while the ladies conduct the ruusoum.
The historical societies have hundreds 81 valu-
able books. portraits, and papers which could
be put 10 a far moro valuable public use than
they now serve. If they could DO placed In a
bu,lding accessible 10 citizens generally at ell
suitable hours.
The property now 20 widely known IA the
JxFF DAVIS mansion was bought in 1871 Dy ue
city OF Richmond, for the express purpose Of
being offered as q gift 70 President DAVIS. Inc
tender was actually made 20 him ana ne 10
clinod it After the war the house was put In
service as n public-school building. For THIS
purpose it is VIGOROUSLY unit, and ought speedi-
~ TO be abandoned.
Not only tho people OF Virginia, but Of oil the
South, and the lDeral-minded folks OF tho North
as we'll would rejoice 20 this historic structure
dedicated 10 tho proposed uses, so that II, ana In
81 thousands Of books, pictures, nags, muster
rolls memorials OF battles, and soucentrs OF
camp life. might be preserved from the rayages
OF time and spoIation Of ignorant or unappre-
oiarYe men.
once begun tho library and museum would
grow with such rapidly that In ten or twenty
years IL would have worldwide fame as the re-
pository OF valuable archives and Information
Illustrating the Confederate side OF the war
Here the historian would come TO consult authori-
ties that could nowhere else be found, Here
would come the painter and the sculptor Tor
models Of arms, uniforms, and equipments
Here fathers who wished 10 give their children
object lessons concerning the struggle between
the States would bring the boys and glrls.
Hitler every follower Of LIE would reyerenty
bend his stems 20 look upon things that were
familiar 10 him IN camp and bivOuac life. In IN
crossing the collection IN caring for the house
IN providing teriainmonts 10 keep alive the
interest In the enterprise, the ladies oil hich-
,nond and Virginia would be blessed help.
Yes, 1.-The White House OF the Confederacy"
must be surrendered 20 the people for the pre-
sarvation Of their history: for the Keeping OF
their memorials II way, legal ana proper,
can be discovered by which the city can con-
tribute the property as her share In the patrl-
otto undertaking well and good; II not the
building should be leased or bought OF her. NO
doubt the money can DO raised. TWIN never DO,
now that We have erousei the expectation OF the
world IN this matter, 10 drop our work at the
very nrst obstacle.
Let our business and professional men, our
veterans and youth, but think what glorious
institution may be the oulgrowth Of this public
library and museum, and they will never con.
sent 70 loose their hold in this movement.