Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-06-18

hearts of our veterans that their united and
harmonious action could be relied upon in any
effort to that end. Though convinced of tins,
I did not feel warranted in appealing to any
l of our prominent Confederate leaders TO in
augurate the work, inasnluch as 1t would in
volve labor and uecessitate expense. pre-
| ferred to take the burden upon myself
In November of last year addressed cir
cular to the commanders of the Veteran camps
and to other Coufederates whose address
/ was able TO obtain
numerous than those to the first. and equally,
If not more, satisfactory From Veteran
camps, from commanding generals to priyates,
from those who have succeeded in life's strug-
| gIes. and from those upon whom fortune has
froWued, assurances of cooperation and sub
stantial support have been received IL is for
the veterans to mold this universal sentiment
/ into substantial expression. II would ee COM
paratively easy of Accomplishment to secure
the sum that has been estimated as necessary
to found the proposed association. few rich
men could furnish the amount wlthout incon-
vcnienee. but in doing so they would deprive
the Confederate veterans of the opportunity
of furnishing the world and TO posterify proof
of their unanimous and loyal devotion TO the
memory of the Lost Cause An institution
built out of their poverty would be infinitely
more preferable aud would inculcatc \ lottier
lesson than one created by individual wealth.
The question of location has impressed me
as one of great delicacy aud Importance, and
in formulating plans l have given II careful
attention. 1t has been made more clear that
there will be competition rs to the site of the
institution. For this reason deem IL best
aud wisest to leave the decision to the Board
of Administra tors. / can only hope, in view
of the great purpose contemplated, that local
preferences and preJudtces may be euoordl-
mated to the common good. think all will
agree that our shrine should be erected IN an
easily accessible place that our Mecca should
be erected where II can be reached by great
numbers. In this, us in other questions con-
nected with the establishment of the memorial
association. / shall acquiesce checrfully in
whatever decision tho Veterans may reach
In this connection, wish you to assure our
comrades that from the inception of this
movement there has been no desire or purpose
to interfere with or antagonize in any manner
whatever the memorial organizations thatnow
exist
Although the plan submitted for the estab-
lishment of n memorial association has in
view the crystalization of q sentiment dear to
all Confederates, yet we should not lose
sight of the fact that jealous activity, intelli-
gent effort and business methods are essential
TO success. If it be determined to establish
the association, of which there appears no
doubt, the first and most important work viii
be canvass OF the veterans AIN convinced
that If the commanders of Veteran camps and
others interested themselves. it would largely
exceed the amount estimated for, and that the
effect would be to stimulate to increased iber-
ality those who now intend to contribute
bouDtifully. / take it for granted that the
poorer veterans can pay their subscriptions
by installmeEt during the progress OF the
work.
While am confident of the establishment
of the memorial association and desirous of
seeing it's completion / would advise against
commencing work without sufficient funds in
hand to insure its continual prosecution. The
effect of interruption would be injurious as It
would evoke adverse criticism. II will be re-
called that insufficicncy of funds to complete
the Grant tomb so long after its commence
ment was made the theme of unpleasant COM
mcnt throughout the world.
OTHER matters relevant to the memorial as
sociation will likely be presented for discus
sion at the Houston reunion Our frequent
conversations have placed you in possession of
my views, to which Won can give expression.
beg that you will commend me fraternally
and kindly TO the Veterans assembled and ex-
press my regrets that business burdens and
falling sight will prevent me from being with
them. Assure them that shall enter heartily
into their plans and shall esteem it an honor.
Us It will be q positive pleasure, to be permit
ted to share in their good works.
CHARLES BROADWAY RoUss.
Mr.. Rouss is very indignant at
the action of General j. A. Thayer,
of Boston, Mass, in writing letter
protesting against the dedication of
the monument TO the Confederate
soldiers buried in Oakwoed Gene
terry, Chicago. In speaking of the
matter he said:
.My views of General ThaYer's
impertinence are fully contained in
in the following open and decided
ironicaI letter from "a Crippled
Veteran -
NEW YORK, May 6, 1895
G. a. r., Boston, Mass
.SubIinlated Patriot How can / express the
measure of my deep regret that / am not n
member of one of the posts In your depart
ment How bewail my unhappy lot IN be-
longing to department over which presides a
man who believes that the war Is over and
that the era has come OF "PeacC on earth,
good will TO man." Cannot effect q transfer
and change from this benighted rule to your
higher. pnrer aud more charitable sway! ls
there no room for me in the post with which
YOU arc most intimately affiliated, and in
which your influence most prevails? have
but few years to live. and pray you to Gle
vate me to the lofty plane that you occupy.
You nrc quite right in raising yonr voice In
patriotic protest against the proposed desccru-
ton ut Chicago. There is danger in the air.
Light the beacon fires Call to arms Six
Thousand dead rebels are within Chicagos
gates aud our government in its supreme con-
| hdence has furnished them implements of war.
/ What terrible disasters threaten the nation
/ Let every patriot buckle on his armor and fol-
low the gallant Thayer to the breech! The
times are redolent of rebellion. Let us crush
this growing spirit Let us rePrehend those
/
gray in which fraternal feeling. mutual es-
/ teem and common love of country find elo-
Queut, earnest and forcible expression Let
rs prevent the gallant Boston Laneers from
| visiting their Confederate friends In New Or
leans and let US hernetically seal the gates Of
| Boston against Q visit in return. OF what
/ value are social observaDces and the courte-
sizes of life when they conflict with the higher
duty expounded by Commander Thayer
Why should divine admonitions be permitted
to weigh against his patriotic connseiss
OH the shame Of it To naunt before tbt
people of Chicago, on lofty shaft, rebe
| ''in taItercd clothes and stockings turned
! down below the knees" II the outrage is q
be perpetuated, let Us at least insist upon {
swallowtail coat and white necktie. Some
concession must be made to nssuagc the gr1ei
of our bruised aud bleeding hearts
II this Chicago dedication" were the Only
evidence of n rising spirit of rebellion We
might regard It as ephemeral ebulliuon
soon to be forgotten, but alasl such Is NOT tne i
case. Those of the rebels who escaped oe-
struction in the field and whose lives nave
been spared by pateTnal and torgiviDg GOV GOV,
crument are now engaged in plotting Agalne'
the peace and dignity Of the land Iney Pro
. nose to create National Memorial Assoeia-
tion and boldly declare that i Is 10 Pefpe1u,
ate the memories of the glorious struggle oi
: the South for Constitutional rights, 70 pay oe'
served tribute 10 the heroic deeds OF tneir Ial
. len comrades, 70 furnish an inspiring oDleel
/. lesson 10 their descendants. and 10 leave u
. posterity enduring proofs OF the conrag5 10Y
aity and devotion 70 duty of the Contederate
soldier.1 Could disioyalty reach higher ell
max ? As incredible as it may seem, y asning-
conafd s.s,ad of this