Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-11-28
For the Southern People.

eE.Ia as NNNA "Al'=Ar -
eu f. Al, important one and becomes
more pressing and more difficult 10
nee, as the years glide away The
people o. the late Confederate States
should possess some central and con-
ple.e collection Of everything that
concerns the yindicatiou and illusira-
ton Of their cause and the struggle 10
maintain 10. We trust that the APP
peal will elici, a prompt and liberal
response:
NEw YORK. Oc.. 2. "a
More than 3 quarter Of century
has passed away since the surrender
Al Appomauox. OF The many who
bore arms 10 defense Of the liberty OF
the South 10 the great Ciysl War, but
few remain. In = short time The last
n those who wore the Gray Will have
Dassed 10 The other shore. Upon the
few That remain devoives the duty OF
pernetusting The memory Of our gal
liant Comrades who sleep beneath the
sod. Nearly 500 Veteran Camps
uMemOrisl Associations. " Histori-
cal Societies" and "Old Soldiers
Homes attest The loving and loyal
remembrance q the Confederate Sol
der FOR the cause that be served SO
we'll This question is forced upon
u.s. What Is % become Of these IN
.,itutons and o. our records ana
cherished relics when The last OF our
Veterans. WHO are their custodians'
shall have passed away:
Tie uemeutoes q the struggle Of
the South for Civil liberty and the
evidences o. her glorious proves 10
the field are scattered broadcast over
the country. Should they n0t be col
lected and provision be made Tor
their preservation SIS q rich inberi-
tsnce f9r our children and patriotic
object lesson for generations tocome'
Is 10 not feasible for the surviving
ConfederateVeierans, ecting IN BROTH
eriy concert. TO form an Association
Tor Tie preservation Of those records
and relics and also a gallery Of por-
traits % the great leaders who added
SO much lustre 20 our cause: This
would be labor Of love % ail and
would uecess tate but q small c0n,ri-
button from each. A general support
would insure success while,a eXper-
fence ha, shown. The maintenance Of
local institution has become burden
some % the constantly decreasing
numbers u Veteraus upon Sh0m they
depepd. Large numbers who have
not been able 20 connect themselves
with local Camps" would be glad
20 contribute 20 the establishment u
8 broad National institution. The
desire % perpeiuate the glorious
meuore. d The past is strong and
universal aud there should be no
difficulty in giving 10 substantial ex-
pres,i0n. have discussed the mat
Ter with number Of Confederate
veterans and have received promises
Of hearty cooperation aud support.
Oners NJ contributions have been
liberal.
/, has been estimated that $780,
600 would be amply sufficient % pur-
chase o suitable property for such
an institution as is contemplated and
% create q suitable fund for It's
maintenance. The popular idea
seems o. bet0 organize Confederate
Memorial Association and Depository
somewhat " tie nature u Joint
Stock Co.. with shares Of such m0der-
ate value. say not 10 exceed SO
each. that an could participate. II
r, though. that q Board % Admins
trat.0n composed Of or @ Of the
surviving Confederate Officers Of
the highest rank, would prove ac-
ceptablc % au. A proper selection
o. location could Doc left safely 90
such q body.
/ trust this matter may receive
your JAN 40 N.II' NlAHlAANl A-ltA CIV
That you w.l, unite la an effort 10
perpetua,e the glorious memories Of
the past As Gen. Gordon has said
so cloqueuly To cherish such
memor.e- and recall such a past,
whether crowned with success or
consecrated 30 defeat is TO idealize
principle and strengthen character,
intensity love Of country and con-
vert defeat and disaster into pillars
Of support for future manhood and
noble w0manhO0d.
/ have addressed the heads 81 the
various Confederate organizations,
soliciting am expression u opinion in
regard 90 the object that ! desire 10
secure Will you kindly give the
matter your attention aud favor me
with the views o. your Comrades and
yourself.
Fralcrnally yours,
c. b. ROUs-.
Ex-Priyate. c. :. Army
The Vote in West Virginia.