The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1895-09-25
A MONUMENT
To Commemorate the Battle of Point
Pleasant.

we nave read with great deal
of interest what has been recently
written in relation to the erection
of monument to commemorate the
battle of Point Pleasant, and to
perpetuate the memory of the heroic
services of Col. Lewis and others,
in that memorable action.
That commemoration, and those
honors to the heroic dead, are in
the highest degree praiseworthy,
and will have the hearty assistance
and cooperation of all loyal Ameri j.
cans; but, is there not better way
in which to honor them, and to
keep their memory green, and to
instruct the young and the coming
generations in the hardships en-
dured, the dangers met, and the
sacrifices made by our ancestors TO
gain this "goodly heritage" than
by the erection of a cold, gloomy
and silent monument? In the
minds of most people, a monument
is logically and unavoidably asso
ciated with mausleums, cemeteries
and gloom, which repells the joy
GUS laughter and represses the
merry glee of romping innocence.
Some monuments are eye sores,
and they cumber the ground; while
others may, when clothed in their
youthful beauty, adorn a park, a
graveyard, or a hot and dusty
street; but youthful beauty fades, it
always, or nearly always does.
The polished marble is soon stained
and blackened by the frosts, the
rain and the bowling wintry blasts;
they are too soon wrapped in a
covering of messy ugliness.
Everybody knows how hard it
has been of late years, to rear
monuments to the memory of the
most distinguished heroes, states
men and sages. The days of the
monument are rapidly passing
away, while memorial edifces are
coming to the front; they are fash
ionable, popular and instructive.
They are practically useful. Now
why would it not be a good scheme
for the Monument association, if
there be one Off there is not, then
why notO, or for those having the
matter in charge, to secure possess
ion of that entire square at the
mouth of the Kanawha and the
alleged site of the old fort? 1t is
conspicous, commanding a fine and
charming view of the Ohio and
Kanawha rivers; central to North
and East Point Pleasant, and it is
historic ground.
Being already well stocked with
trees and shrubbery, much of the
labor and expense incidental to the
creation of park can be avoided.
This property having been Sc
cured, remove the buildings now
thereon, possibly to other lots, clear
off the rubbish, smooth the ground
and plant flowers, shrubbery and
trees; behold your park.
Now, then, let us erect in about
the centre of Csome historic nance
park. creditable building of arts
tic design; attractive, cheerful and
beautiful, and which will be joy
to the people, and the pride of the
Mountain State, and dedicated to
the people as "The Lewis Memoir
al"
One apartment of which, (the
rotunda, possibly,) to be devoted to
a Library, or the nucleus of one,
Cthe writer has in mind, the history
of two libraries that were establish
ed within his recollection, one with
"a second hand books, and the 9th
er with something over 80. Those
two libraries now contain more than
10000 choice volumns.) Great
things from small beginnings grow.
There should be places for paintings,
statuettes, and for relics of historic
interest. Capt. Hess might be in
duced to lend to "The Lewis Memo
rial" his valuable collection. There
should be alcoves and inches, de
voted to the memory of General
Lewis, and to many other heroes
and sages of Old Dominion, Noun
tain State, and Colonial fame.
Would not such a memorial build
ing, with its library, although very
small, perhaps, at the beginning,
with its collection of paintings and
historical relics and documents be
much more commemorative, enter
tanning, instructive and attractive