The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-03-14
Battiefelds as Parks.


Northern. doughfaces, who discounte-
veterans in the Memorial Day exercises in
the schools, must be distressed by the in
formation that Secretary Proctor is to
meet at Chickamauga this week num-
Der Of Northern and Southern Congress
men to inspect the National Park. When
both parties in Congress cOncurred in the
plan to appropriate money to turn the old
battlefield into beautiful park that
should commemorate the valOr of two
faces were very unhappy. As the plan
was entirely n0n-partisan, nOn-sectiOnal,
intended to obliterate old differences and
cement new friendships, the organs Of
dissension could find no excuse for attack
ing the measure and giving it a political
significance, and they were rather discon-
ISOLATE. The fact that the present ex-
petition is conducted without expense to
the War Department is another thorn in
their flesh, as they may not denOunce this
as .junketing' trip; though to see
Northerners and Southerners fraternizing
in a movement that promises to destroy
many lingering sectional enmiues must
pain them sorely.
When an organ, obsequious in its SER
vice to the Southern Democracy, can
descend to the pitiable meaness of attempt
ing to make political capital out Of a
potriotic and non-partisan sentiment
such as G. A. r. men taking part in pub
lie school memorial exercises--what must
be the suppressed rapcor in the bowels of
that organ to see ex-Federal and ex-Con-
federate soldiers clasping hands in com
mon cause that is but the expression of
love of country? Some of the most promi-
nent and influential Democrats in Chicago
are Grand Army men; yet the most bois-
ferrous organ of the Democracy in Chi
cago tears its throat with bowling against
the participation of that body in public
school exercises because of politics.
ltls pleasant to turn from this sort OF
narrowness and bigotry to note with what
interest soldiers of lS6l-G5 and statesmen
of different parties and people of all Sec
tons regard the planning laying-out and
opening of Chickamauga Park, in which
visitors of the future may ride over miles
OF beautifully prepared grounds with evil
dences on every side of Il united peoole in
monuments to the heroic and chivalrous
of our countrymen who persisted in bat
tie. The idea of making the great battle
ground national park was an inspira-
ton, and its generous acceptance by the
people North and South, especially by the
soldier elements indicated how much bet
ter is the spirit Of fraternity, and how
much more certain Is the sound substan-
tial and patriotic unillcation Of our people
than certain Bourbon journals would have
the general public believe.
The park is TO be maintained by the
Government, but among its art works and
monuments will be the contributions OF
private societies and organizations, North
and South, and the scene--a picture in q
picturesque region--will he the resort of
all travellers who will have interest in the
traditions and memorials of the greatest
Of civil wars. Nearto the park are hun.
drods of other scenes of historic interest
Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain not
far away--and the region is one SO conve-
niently located rs TO afford tempting
common meeting ground for American
sightseers. The good results to come Of
this can hardly be estimated, and the ok.
ample 10 the rising and future generation
will be incidentally beneficial to the ma
tlon