Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-23
.Aunom.t,oxr A,lss Surrender.


LEXINGTON. VA. November 20. 1884.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
I am glad the Dispatch Is keeping up O
warm fire on the Post-Ofiice Department
about the Appomattox- Surrender" blum
der.
A friend has sent me a copy OF the
Philadelphia Evening Star containing
some spicy comments by Mr.. John Russell
Young, president of the Union League
Club and the editor OF the Star, whose
nom de plume initials are. ! suppose %
L." which / think 1t would interest your
readers to see, as giving the views OF
a staunch northern Union man.
At all events It will serve to keep the
subject before the public. which your
paper is already doing SO we'll X.
. was reading Virginia paper the
other day. and clipped from 1t this belated
paragraph The writer. Mr.. Littleton,
have known for years as an amiable and
accomplished gentleman. with a graceful
fancy and a wide range OF scholarship
Unlike most Of my literary friends. he
has likewise shown singular fitness FOL
politics and business. What he has done
In the ways of the world has not prevent
ed his recognition Of the higher forces oil
letters, art, and nature. ! wish / could
see III tnlS nttic Hotc vi
something which should be done, and by
no one with more eloquence and sincerity
than Mr.. Littleton:
PHILADELPHIA. October is. 1894.
ITO the Editor of the Appomattox Times
Appomattox Courthouse, Va:
"Dear Sir,--I read, few days ago, an
article from your paper, copied into the
Evening Telegraph of this city, explsna-
tory of the change Of the name Of old
Appomattox Courthouse Virginia. by the
post office authorities TO that of 'Surren-
der and was greatly surprised 10 learn
that IL was done by request OF the people
living In that vicinity.
do not think me presuming, for whilst
OF course II Is no special business OF
mine, yet 1t seems TO me that the new
name given TO the old Courthouse would
be most painful to you Of the South. and
cannot possibly be Of any qualification to
us Of the North-at least. such Is my
opinion.
II have been q lifelong Republican.
having voted that ticket since Lincoln's
election In 1860. but the events Of that
exciting period have now become softened
into history. and laying aside all the Bit
terness of feeling which then existed, j
cannot think II right that any official OF
the government should scratch upon the
map Of these Omitted" States such an
ignoble name as that now given to the
spot where the great contest was ended.
Could you find nothing else? The post
Offices are so numerous, know the diff
Guilty. Then give II part OF name, IL
you cannot find full ono. Call II, for In
stance, Stonewall That was as brave a
man as ever led army to battle; but
at any rate. take anything elfe and have
lxsAt and V.at rtal
that name whicA must excite comment
from the stranger and compel explana-
tons from yourselves.
Il trust you will not consider me med
dlesome or intrusive. for such Is not my
intention. ] have only written to try to
correct, not TO criticise.
yours respectfully,
"w. e. LITTLEToN,
Union League, Philadelphia"
II Is hard to conceive, except in some
community where the soul Is dead, such
a change as that from "Appomattox" to
Surrender"
Surrender" is term OF reprosch. II
this had been proposed by a northern
Postmaster-General the South would have
echoed with invectives. ~
Appomattox is among the sacred names
written In the stars. to endure forever.
There are rev OF tneHl IL WedhS the
spot where destiny decrecd one OF the
events which undo the ages. How few OF
these names-Cannae. Marathon. Agin-
court, Blenheim, Leuthen. Austerlitz. Wa
terloo, Solferino, Gettysburg. Appomat-
tox, Sedan. Yes, Appomattox belongs to
the ages. What an atrophy OF personal
pride, public conscience, or patriotic feel
Ing, that southern man should seek to
blot It out.
can see the mighty shades Of Lee and
Grant looking down upon us In sorrow.
their august hands raised in depreciation
Of this sacrilege.
Let Appomattox remain. 1t represents
the relentless. successful valor OF the
North-the stubborn. unavailing valor OF
the South--something OF what IL best in
the American character, whether draped
In blue or gray. Let it stand! G.. l..