The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-13


SENTIMENTAL RESOURCES.
Not only are the natural resources Of Nir-
ginia. which are practically ineNhaustDle.
being developed at a rapid rate with view
10 pecuniary returns, but what may De
termed ifs sentimental resources in other
words. its objects Of historical interest afe
also being utilized 10 am increasing degree
for purposes Of individual or corporate pro-
flo.
The announcement has just been made
that the field Of AppomattoS, the scene OF
the second most momentous event that has
occurred on American soil. the surrender OF
Ice. has been laid Off i'm am extensive park.
the land constituting ITS site having been
purchased some time since by Northern
svndicate composed of such wcll-hnoWn
men AS Governor Campbell. Of Ohio,
General Burdeit, of the same State,
and MIR. Samuel NJ. Bryan. president
Of the Bell Telephone Company.
The principal object Of the syndicate
is stated to be TO furnish permanent camp
ing ground for the Grand Army of The Re-
public on the occasions of lhuir annual meet
ines. From this source. If their proposition
to this organization il accepted, they expect
10 derive their principal revenue bat There
is reason to think that the income from the.
property will be increased 10y fees from
casual visitors, who are likely TO become
more and more numerous every year "a
travel from the North southwark grows in
volume.
The shrewdnoss Of the enterprise cannot
be doubted, and its comparative novelty
must excite admiration in the minds of oif
people. who had not before been go fully
aware what opportunities this state offered
outside of its mines, lbs soil and It's climate
for making additions to their means. The
conversion Of the field Of Appomsttox into
a park. which is either 10 Doe rented on
special occasions, or thrown open for "a
small entrance fee To- all visitors, opens zap
the prospect of a number of profitable 'en-
lures in the same general line m different
parts Of Virginia. There are Malvern Hill
In the Pennsular, Winchester in the
Valley. the hills around Petersburg.
tine Wilderness OF spoitsyyania; with
all these, the associations in the Northern
mind are not such as 20 initiate against
their successful conversion into ground zee
served for national celebrations. Fred
ericksburg, Charlottesville, Cold HarDor
were the scenes of too decided do-
feats of the Federal forces to be popular at
the North in the present age although they
witnessed so much yalor and devotion on
the part of the Northern troops. The time
will, however. arrive when these fields VIII
be.regarded with equal reverence as a cone
mon heritage, by North and South alike, ON
account of the glory that they reflect ON the
American soldier, but until that time does
arrive, they will not have much speculative
value for practical pecuniary reasons.
The Virginians are little i'm the habit OF
cherishng objects of purely sentimental on
historical interest for the income that they
will bring in. While they are very natur-
ally and properly proud Of the great charac-
tiers produced By the state, and OBJ,
achievements in war and peace recorded in
it, annals, they have not been inclined &c
indulge either the antiquarian or the his.
torical spirit TO the degree that would lead
them TO preserve with jealous care every
memorial Of the past, and TO save at any
cost from the enacing and disrupting finger.
Of time all those local landmarks, which are
associated with the battles and other lead
Ing events Of byegone years.
lit had not been for this general dispose
ton ON their part, Libby prison would never
have been allowed TO De removed from Rich
mond % Chicago. That building ought &c
have been purchased by the municipality
when offered for sale, and permanently KEPT
in this city; and SO with every object OF
, historical interest that il in danger al des
truction or removal. These objects have d
practical ~ well Is sentimental value
and however regarded should never De per-
mitted 10 be dealt with in a careless and
thoughtless spirit.
Fortunately, although the baitle-delds OF
! Virginia may pass out of the possession Of
her own sons, they can never De removed
beyond her borders to De set down in dis
sant cities amid a strange people. The same
skies that reyorboratod 90 that roar Of cam
non. those shouts Of c0mbaiants which CAV,
these spots their lasting fame, still extend
above them the eternal canopy OF heaven
and Will always DO so, though the sur-
p rounding hills may sink TO the level Of thl
plain, or the plain rise to the height Of thD
hills. The Fromptines Of poverty and Oh,
suggestions Of gain can never snatch from
Virginia these scenes Of immortal glory
They ARE hers. Who can rob her of thcml
3 Only God through some awful CONFUSION Of
nature.