The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-22
TRTBTTEs 10 COURfGE.
Representative Elicit, of Virginia, Has
Proposition.


WASHINGTON, Sept. o-Representa-
tive Tazewel Elicit, Of Richmond, has
been in the city for several days await
ing the return of Postmaster-General
Wilson, before whom he wishes TO urge
the appointment Of Colonel Robert Boy
kin. of Richmond. as assistant superin-
tendent Of the railway mail service. To a
representative Of The sun Mr.. Elicit said
to-day: Il do not think much viii be ac-
complished by the Fifty-fourth Congress
There should be some financial legisla-
ton, but as no one can tell what att-
tude the Republicans will assume. specu-
lation concerning this matter is absolute
Is idle. There Is a matter, however, In
which / am strongly interested, and Tor
which l hope 10 obtain favorable con-
sideratiOn. It is the proposition 10 estaD-
fish about Richmond great national
battlefield on the plan Of the Chicka-
manga field, only upon more extensive
seal C. II it is the desire and purpose of
the American people 10 commemorate the
valor Of those Americans who fought
upon both sides during the late war,
there can be no better plan adopted than
the creation of a great public park upon
fields where the most memorable battles
of the war were fought. About Rich
mOnd, and within a radius or only few
miles, there are no less than seven bat
tle-felds. each OF which had a bearing
upon the elimination of TIE war just as
important as that Of Chickamauga. Nal
vern Hill, Cold Harbor, the scene OF the
seven-days' struggle. and the other bat
ties that took place in the immediate
vicinity OF Richmond. were just as i'm
portant events. so far as the history or
the country IS concerned. as Chickamau-
IA or any other battle Of the war
MY proposition is TO have the Govern
ment make a sufficient appropriation 10
turn these fields into public parks TO be
maintained by the general government
in commemoration Of the valor of Ameri-
can soldiers and the military genius Of
American military commanders. l pro-
pose to introduce this measure in the
next Congress, and. as ii is a non-parti-
san one. l see M reason why IL should
not receive favorable action. 1t will
doubtless be charged that / am working
merely 10 secure an appropriation of pub
Tic money 20 be expended in the district
which / represent. This. however, will
be 50 far from the truth that l have
little doubt ofg my ability TO convince all
fair-minded persons Of my sincere desire
To see these battle-hells fittingly marked,
without the slightest consideration con-
corning the enrichment OF my own con-
stituents. The sentiment of the Ameri-
can people regarding the scenes OF such
splendid valor upon both sides in the
struggle between the sections has been
demonstrated at Chickamauga, and when
the attention of the country is called TO
the proposition | make | am satisfied
majority OF the public will take the same
view OF the matter that do.
These battle-helds. If properly cared
for. will stand forever as monuments e
tho valor of the private soldiers who
fought upon both sides The North and
South have erected figures in granite
marble and enduring bronze. 10 COM
memorate the services Of the various COM
manders who distinguished themselves.
The private soldier however, is remem-
bered only by his friends. IL would be
grateful TO permit these scenes OF bravery
to be forgotten, and in order that they may
stand for all time as a commemoration
Of the courage OF the American citizen
soldiery, I wish 10 see them taken pos
session OF by the general government and
cared for as they deserve 20 be cared for.
| do not know that there is any other
matter OF Importance that | Will urge
upon the coming Congress IL will not be
a body in which a Democrat Will count
FOR much. but this matter must recon-
mend itself 10 both parties and for that
reason / propose TO call IL up.
II have SEEN" continued Mr.. Elicit.
"some comment upon the fact that al
Chickamauga nearly every northern and
western State has erected some kind OF
monument 10 their respective heroes, who
engaged In the battle. and that there IS
a notable absence of anything OF the sort
from the southern States. | would like
TO call attention to the fact that the
South Is unable to pay the tributes due
her soldiers, not because Of any lack OF
sentiment, but because the whole system
Of governmental taxation has been ex
erted TO take from the South all that
could be gathered i'm order 90 distribute
Il in pension payments and otherwise
among the people of the northern states.
7 do not propose to discuss the business
of our pension laws. but it cannot be de-
MED that OF the enormous sum distributed
annually among the men who served in
the Federal army during the war very
few dollars find their way into the South.
At the same time. under the system OF
taxation which the Republicans have
forced upon the country. the South has
been called upon TO contribute proper
tionately more than have the northern
States. I do not mean that the aggre--
gate sum paid in taxes by the South has
been greater than that pad by vhe
northern States, but. while the North
has been paying its full quota. her peo-
pie have been getting their money back
inthe shape OF bounties. protective duties
and in other indirect ways that have fully
compensated them for all their outlay.
The South, upon the other hand, has re-
ceived next 10 nothing from the Govern
ment, and as a result the taxes paid have
been a constant drain upon her resources
Hence II follows that the South finds her
self unable 10 build monuments 10 her
soldiers. and that the veneration with
which they are regarded by her people Is
carried in the hearts Of men and obtains
only occasional oppression. baltimore