Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-09
THE MEMORY OF LEE.
Ceremonies Proposed at the In
yelling Of Mercie's Statue.
NEW FEATURES SUGGESTED.
How TO Make the Celebration Memora-
BILE. Attractive, and In
structive.

The granite pedestal Of the Lee monu-
ment stands out boldly and majestically
on the plain at the western end OF Franklin
street.
In the month of May the bronze cques-
trian group. Lee on horseback. will crown
this beautiful architectural pile.
lis intended that the unwilling ceremo-
mics shall be worthy Of the august occa-
sion. and II is believed will draw here the
largest number Of representative men. Off
GERS. and privates of the Confederate army
seen in Richmond since the surrender.
The Lee Monument Association has Sc
cured the aid of Lee Camp Of Confederate
Veterans in making the arrangements for
the celebration, and both will have the
help of all true southerners. There will be
. great parade Of veterans and volunteers,
6remen and civic societies. General fitz
Lee will be chief marshal. At the monu-
ment when the unveilinG takes place Gov
ernor Mckinney will preside. Rev. DIR.
Mippicerode will open the proceedings
with PRAYER. and Colonel Archer Anderson
will be the orator of the day.
These and few other details have been
agreed upon; but il occurred to the ms
patch that some additional feature might be
adopted. and with that end in view II has
interviewed a number Of leading citizens
for expressions of opinion. The result IS
numerous suggestions. tits practicable TO
adopt many of these, and thus pro-
Cramme nav be made up which Will be
truly creditable TO our enterprise, worthy
of the name Of Lee. and instructive 10 the
rising generation.
Following are expressions rs to what adj
ditional feature il would be best TO adopt:
FIREWORKS.
Major n. V. Randolph IL the citizens
can raise the money have a $1,000 display
Of fireworks.
TRADES PARADE.
"In my opinion" said City-Clerk b. T.
August, lone of the most attractive fea-
lures would be trades parade"
THE COLONIAL BALL.
~ think the most popular and attractive
feature that you could add to the occasion
of the unwilling Of the Lee statue would
be another colonial ball and minuet," was
the prompt response of DIR. Hunter Nc
CURE.
ENOUGH ALREADY.
"The parade of volunteers and veterans
and the Grafton and prayer at the unyell-
Ing of the Lee monument are full ana sur
ficient and can suggest no other feature
that would add to the celebration" an
swered Captain NJ. j. Dimmock.
MOURNING.
81 beg to suggest that all public build
ings and as many private residences as the
occupants of which can be induced TO do
30. be draped in mourning; also. the news
papers. Besides this, that artillery minute
gums be fred one for each seeding State"
was the answer of Mr.. X. II. Whitlock.
ANNUAL REUNION OF THE A. n. VA.
Hon. George l.. Christian In addi-
tion to the ceremonies you mention we
expect to have the annual reiinion of
the Association of the Army of North
ern Virginia and banquet. either the night
before or the night of the unwilling, with
General +. M. Law, of South Carolina, as
the orator. Nothing else occurs to me as
Appropriate to the occasion.
THE MONUMENT AND THE PUBLIC DEBT.
Have q transparency in the procession
with the following inscribed on it: al
though we borrowed from certain citizens
of Great Britain 100000 to erect the monu-
ment to General Washington which adorns
our Capital Square, which we now refuse
TO return to them, We promise Monsieur
Mercie that he shall be paid for the monu-
ment to General Lee" This was the
u.
CONFEDERATE BRIGADE.
Said Captain q. w. Taylor: would sug-
gest--1st, That on that day business be en-
tirely suspended. I'd. That all the old sol
diers who have them turn out in their old
Confederate uniforms, no matter how
ragged they are. Sd. That the sons of SOL
diers who were killed or died in the SER
vice form themselves into q brigade and
march in the procession with banner so
inscribed that the public may know who
they are.
CONFEDERATE REUNION.
~ suggest that after the conclusion of
the ceremonies of the unvelling of the
statue all old soldiers and sailors Of the
Confederate service be invited to the Ex-
position-G Grounds. where we will have a
grand reiinion-speeches, music, luncheon,
dc.--for the remainder of the day." said
Major Thomas A. Brander. II would fur
ther suggest that the citizens be requested
to illuminate their houses on the principal
streets from until 10 o'clock p. NJ"
HOLD TO THE EXPOSITION GROUNDS.
General Fitzhugh Lee was seen just as he
was leaving the city for New York, and he
said he had no time to suggest additional
features; but the Dispatch should urge the
authorities not to part with the Exposition
buildings until after the unveiling. I'VE
are going to have an enormous crowd
here" said he. "and the Exposition build
ings will be lust the things we need in
which to quarter the visiting military and
have general rendezvous"
TRyUMPHAL ARCH.
At would suggest" said Mr.. Albert i.
West, "in addition to the parade, prayer,
and grafton, that at one or more places on
the line of march triumphal arch be
erected, having middle part, say twen-
ty feet wide. and sides ten feet wide,
somewhat after the manner of that of
Septimus Leverus, upon which such en-
bellishments may be displayed. as the CON-
mittee may decide; and, if desired, be
lighted up at night with gas or electricity"
GREAT POPULAR CHORUS.
1T suggest" said General Joseph r.
Anderson, that our musical people get up
0 chorus of q hundred men and sing some
appropriate hymns which they would Sc
lect. And let them be such as everybody
can JON in. For example, God Bless
Our Native Land sung to the tune of
God Save the Queen would be fine, or
. short original poem would be good fea-
ture. But for myself l would prefer the
former. But don't let the exercises be too
long"
THE EDUCATIONAL VIEW.
Commander L. p. Reeve. of Pickett
Camp, said: II can think of nothing more
appropriate and becoming than that the
schools of our city, both private and pub
lio should attend in body. both teachers |
and pupils, together with representatives |
from other institutions of learning through |
ont the State. thus specially honoring the |
last and browning years of our loved and |
honored chieftain, which were devoted TO |
the instruction of the youth of our dear
old Commonwealth"
A POEM BY DAN. LUCAS.
The only feature can think of appro- |
pirate TO the monument celebration, in adj |
dition to those already provided for. is a |
poem from Dan. Lucas. In the Land |
Where We Were Dreaming" said Major |
Robert Stiles. HE at once touched the |
great heart Of the South. and exhibited ex-
quisite poetic appreciation and power of |
expression. We all love and admire the |
man, and there is something unusually APP
peaiing and attractive in his personality |
and his life. Let this true poet touch his |
harp once more and on such day."
A SCHOOL HISTORY OF THE WAR.
Commander W. p. Smith. of Lee Camp,
Poke with lively interest and emphasis
when he said !" GRAND oafherfnn or