Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-01

WEDNESDAY. ........ MAY l, 1872
nicbmond and the Veterans.

Charleston and Atlanta. and perhaps
other cities, will compete with Richinonn
for the honor Of entertaining the United
Confederate Veterans at their annual en-
campment in 1896.
In addition 10 many other attractions
that Richmond can offer. ii is proposed
that II the veterans viii accept our IN
vitation the cornerstone of the Jeffer-
son Davis monument shall be laid during
the encampment.
The Grand Encampment OF the United
Confederate Veterans has never heid
a meeting in Virginia. Aside from the
honor that W. should feel was done us
In selecting Richmond as the meeting
place of 1896. we believe that the pro-
eramme that we have outlined for the
LAYING Of the cornerstone OF the Davis
monument during the encampment would
have the effect of exciting general IN
terest in the matter OF building the Davis
monument. This is a matter of great
importance. This monument ought to be
built without any further delay. AL
ready much precious time has been lost
and this without fault on the part OF the
monument association. The meeting of
the veterans here as proposed would. we
believe. create an interest in the work
and crown the labors of the monument
association with triumph-a consumma-
ton most devoutly to be wished by every
true southerner. no matter what the
STATE OF his birth. or his present place of
residence.
These annual encampments are attended
by from twenty to- thirty thousand peo-
pie. and We should have TO have a wig
wan which would seat at least ten or
fifteen thousand. our invitation to
be extended TO the veterans at their
Houston meeting carries with it. of
course, the promise to provide suitable
ballroom. We have no hall here large
enough for the purpose. Therefore, we
should have 10 build one.
II we do build such a wigwam. let's
make up our mind to build II 10 last
until we have a permanent building.
which will serve our purposes as a great
auditorium. We shall hereafter have
vastly increased hotel accommodations.
But how can we expect to have big con-
facilities that other cities have?
Our hotels will fail TO reap TO the full
the advantages that are theirs unless
we build a great wigwam and let it
stand until a permanent hall of great
seating capacity and imposing archtectu-
raj design is provided.
We shall feel the need Of spacious
Of
We MUST have il. And IL seems quite
probable that a conjunction OF crcum-
stances will enable us TO get IL next year.
Having once gotten 1t. we should hest
tate long and seriously before We take
1t down. The Moody tabernacle, which,
In 1894. stood at the southeast corner of
Main and Fifth streets. was a very plain,
box-like structure. but it would have
served the useful purposes of this COM
munity on many occasions had 1t been
allowed TO stano.
The invitation to the veterans 10 hold
their next encampment in Richmond Will
be presented at Houston on behalf OF the
Confederate camps of Richmond and of
the State generally, on behalf of the
Chamber Of Commerce. and on behalf OF
the Jefferson Davis Monument Associa-
ton, which association proposes 10 ac-
commodate itself TO the wishes OF the
United Confederate Veterans by fixing
the day for the laying OF the corner
stone Of the monument in the spring
OF 1896.
There are. we think. irresistible reasons
why Richmond should be selected as the
place for the next grand encampment.
and II the decision at Houston is In our
favor our people viii have to so to work
at once TO make preparations for the
great events OF 1896.