Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-13
whers shall the Davis Monumsnt ne. .
To he Editor Of Gie DisDdtch:
"1he mountains look on Marathon
, mountains look on Marathon
nd Marathon looks on tao sea;

And Marathon looks on tao sea;
And mu.ing there Hn hour alone,
dreamed that Greece might still be frec."
Please allow a few lines to be added TO
the plea which you have already pu blIshed
in behalf of CANDLES Hill as the proper
site for the monument to be erected TO
the memory OF President DAVIS.
1t will require reconsideration OF the
selection reported as having been made.
But that is not imprscticsblo nor impro ba-
BILE; for whilst Mrs Davis is perfectly
satisfied with the place of reinterment In
Hollywood 1t Is said that she is not with
the selection of Monroe Park. though
from delicacy she may not make any effort
TO have II changed. Lot that effort be
made not only for her, but for postsrity.
The remains are well inferred in Holly
wood. The monument would be badly
| buried In Monroe Park.
Perhaps one point relied upon IN the
plea referred to was not made sufficiently
| clear. That 10 that very good view can
be had from CANDLES Hill of the grave,
and n considerable part of It's environment.
| This was implied when 1t was said. Let
| the tomb look upon the monument and
| the monument upon the tomb" There is
| a strength of argument in this mere state
| ment, aud both would then look out
upon the South and the South upon
| both"
On the day of the refinement, bein5
| too disabled to 60 out to Hollywood. l
viewed the grand procession from Frank
| lin street aud then made my way to Gam
! bios Hill, with an opera-glas,. for wished
| to test the conception which had been
| already formed.
Tho arrival and arrangement OF tho
processlon at and around the grave were
| plainly visible. together With largo num-
| Der of the spectators who bad Assem- bled
l. L.
| persons were near me viewing the same
spectacle, and one very well-knOwn citi-
| zen fully concurrod with me III what | told
| him / intended to do.
Itisnow stated publicly that Mrs Davis
| is not Satisfied with Monroe Park, but pre-
| fers the Soldiers Home and your own
editorial last Saturday hints AZ something
| better than eithsr Of them. For II the
| monument wore placed, az you suggest. IN
| Hollywood, at the grave or In Its vicinity,
| that would fulfil the conditions which re-
commend CANDLES Hill, but not SO well
IN every respect. Monuments produce
their beneficial effects III very large de-
| gree from tho strong hold which striking
! objects of perception take OF ali minds:
| They may be so situated as TO be seen and
| felt by thousands who may never be able
10 visit them. If one were on Gamble 8
Hill the multitudes who approach Rich
mond from the south or 60 hence in that
| direction would have much nearer and q
| longer view of it than If 10 were In Holly
wood, whilst if it were at the Soldiers
| Home or in Monroe Park these Inultitudes
could not have the pleasure or the beneht
| of seeing at all. In either OF tue last
| named localities its influence would be
| immensely circumscribed.
| Monuments are valuable expensive and
| durable things. and all these qualities VIII
| L Al 81 \. n =
| is now contemplated in adequate honor OF
| the only President Of the Southern Con-
| federacy. ANY mistake IN its location Will
| be perpetual and irremediable. In Monroe
| Park none but actual visitors will ever en-
| ioy or profit by 1t. In the grounds Of the
| Soldiers Home similar, If not the same,
| objections apply. On CANDLES Hill the
number of visitors will be very large. and
| then il would impart solemn Joy and In
| spIration to continuous thousands who
| will be glad 10 gaze upon II. though they
NAV never stand around its base. CANDLES
| Hill is permansntly dedicated to the pub
| lie: il has room aud verge enough" FOL
| the most imposing memorial structure
| its commanding views cannot DO cut on
| it looks upon the spot where he has been
| finally laid 10 rest II looks southwark and
| thither it will look forever. Is not IT the
site for the Davis monument? Il. Is. M.
| RICHMOND. June 3, 1893.
| where the Davis monumeut Should De
| Placed.
| To he Editor Of Ne Dispatch:
| A few DAYS ago you limited that it might
be a good idea 10 erect tho Davis monu-
ment near the place of his burial IN Holly
| wood-the location being so very beauti
fol that II seemed to fill. in your OPINION
the measure of appropriateness.
| Will YOU kindly permit al old subscriber
10 make some objection to your sugges
ton! No matter how beautiful a spot may
be IN its natural conformation for n monu-
mcnt, it nigh: not be suitable or desrabl,
10 put work of art there. Ii would not
accord with the eternal fitness OF things tC
| bury q work of art IN d cemetery. The ldef
violates all the unities, prophecies. and
purposes Of public monument commemo
rative Of the public life OF n statesman OF
| hero. 1t should have no association
with death. II Is not symDo
or emblem of the grief or tears OF peo-
pie, but commemorative of noble and ne
roic actions. We should have it where tn,
busy, moving world can see and enjoy II
at all times and catch tue inspiration to
noble actions in their daily rounds o.
business or pleasure. Let his monument
be erected In the city of the living, not IN
the city of the dead. a. D. d.