Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-04
THE DAVIS MONUMENT.
A.. .aarc.. 20 the ChiIdrea of the
Southern states.

Belna requested by the Davis Monu-
ment Association 10 make collections
! from the children OF the South, desire
20 state 10 you our objects and the rea-
sons that actuate us plainly. but without
malice or iIl-will towards any one.
| we desire suitably to honor our dead.
not claiming they were faultless, Out
! mat they were true and patriotic men.
! We would honor them because they
| loved M and many thousands gave their
! precious lives I'm our defence.
a II "a lust and wise to represent 70
vol the noble deeds of yoJr fathers ana
mothers. -.
! 4 That their deeds were truly noble
and their cousage sublime. we appeal TO
veIl.knowu facts now OF record.
| Z our leaders were also men OF virtue
and intelligence, who will compare favor
| ably with the greatest leaders IN any
| war OF which we have history.
4 The conflict was for principles. ana
| conpacts the most sacred known among
men.
| 7. our struggle was one of self-defence.
| We sought only a peaceable separation
| and this effort was approved by ths theh
| commanding general OF the United states
| Winfield Scott We proceeded orderly
and according 10 law TO secure IL. but
| failed and were forced 10 fight, HENCE
| no blood is upon our hands.
| We challenge all history 10 show a
conflict conducted on a higher moral
plane or in stricter accord with interna-
tional law.
| We challenge the world 20 show so
| large a volunteer army OF intelligent,
| patrIotic private Christian soldiery.
10 We demand even Of our enemies 10
produce a ssterhood OF greater devotion
| TO country and TO kindred than the south
ern women-your mothers, who from first
| TO last and amid untold pr'vations. held
/ I'd the hands Of our brave and suffering
soldiery.
II. No man can reasonably ascrlbe our
| defeat TO a disappearing Providence,
since other natural and logical causes
| abounded--to wit: Greatly inferior num-
bers. no preparation in the beginning. no
money. no organized army or navy, and
lastly no recruiting ground.
T. Should you fail TO appreciate these
sacrifices and count your fathers and
| mothers as rebels you will be guilty OF
the highest crime against the dead. and
| stab TO the heart their surviving com
rades who yet linger among MS. 'T'is inn
| possible 20 conceive you guilty OF such
| ingratitude.
49, We ask. therefore. OF every one OF
| you contribution. however small. to
a
| make visible 10 all coming generations
| that you are not the sons and daughters
| OF rebels and traitors, but OF noble and
| unselfsh heroes who fought the great
battles for State sovereignty IN the war
| OF 1s6l-'s5. and finally we promise
| H. That your contributions shall lay
the cornerstone. the foundation, Of
| great temple to liberty and of law, which
shall last till men learn war no more"
| W. ". PARKER.
We ask every newspaper in city. town,
| and county throughout the South to copy
| this address. as a part of its contribu-
| ton 10 the Davis monument fund. with
| the following directions 70 Sunday-school
| superintendents: Where there is but one
| paper In town or county. please give two
| insertions I hope superintendents VIII
| begin this work at once without delay'
| and I pledge that the memorial-cards
| or other rewards for diligence will be
satisfactory to both boys and girls who
| shall do the work. II is hoped the
| smallest school will raise 50.
| In largo schools four children Will be
| employed: i'm small ones two. Let the
| SUPERINTENDENT select bright children
! not too young-and let the amount col
| lected ne sent direct TO Mr., John $.
| Elicit treasurer. president OF the state
| Bank. OF Richmond. Va, giving the
| names Of the bows and girls who do the
1 work In my school / took the names
| OF every boy and girl who gave cents
| and they were flied with my report 10
1 Mr.. Elicit.
| President Davis represented every man,
| woman. and child in the Confederate
| States. He was in chains and in prison
| for every one of us Shall we forget
! him? Forbid It, Almighty God.
| W. W. PARKER.
| Richmond June 3, 1895.