The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-06-20

monument to the rebel dead upon loyal
soil-the best answer that can be made
to the erection of monuments all over
the South to those who fought for Secs
sion, will be the erection of monument
at the National Capital to the private
soldiers and sailors whose valor and con-
stancy carried on the struggle for Ma
tional existence to a glorious triumph.
The need of such a testimonial in
Washington to the rank and file of the
Union forces has long been felt. There
are many monuments to Generals and
Admirals, but absolutely nothing in
Washington to show that the people
of the United States rose in their might,
put down rebellion with giants hand,
and preserved their Government. 1t Is
shameful that this duty has been so long
neglected. Emphatically, there should
be some splendid creation at Washing
something finer, if possible, than the
finest monuments in the Old World
which will testify to the every visitor
to the city the grand uprising of the
people in defense of their Government,
and the unequaled courage and deter
mination of the common soldiers and
sailors in prosecuting terrible war for
a righteous cause.
This matter was taken under consider
alton by the comrades gathered in Wash
ington at the National Encampment in
1892. All over the beautiful city of
which they are SO justly proud they saw
fine monuments to Generals and Ad-
mirals, and they heard Of more being
contemplated. Nowhere was there any
suggestion that anybody else had fought
for the Union. Nowhere was there any
thing to hint that ii was the people OF
this country who had fought for it-that
it was their sons who had upon land and
sea maintained the National life.
The f reign visitor sees here the same
things that he did in European capitals;
merely tributes to successful leaders, and
be would be right in supposing that the
same thing had occurred here as there,
and the Nations war had been fought
by hirelings and mercenaries, under
patriotic commanders.
1t was decided to attempt to remedy
this, and an association was formed by
comrades from all over the country, and
representing every part of the Union
armies and navy. The object was to
collect funds and erect splendid monu-
ment upon the beautiful grounds which
had been consecrated by holding upon
them the great Reunions of that occasion.
These grounds, which lie south of the
White House, and between it and the
Washington Monument, were then dedi-
Gated with appropriate ceremonies. as
"Grand Army Place" The National
Encampment at Indianapolis officially
sanctioned the plan, but the coming on
of hard times prevented active work
being undertaken.
1t is now felt that the commencement
of the work must be no longer delayed.
Our opponents are outsiripplng us In
their testimonials to these who fought
for their wrongful cause. Let us have
something Of National significance done
for those who fought for the Right.
Let us have something erected at
Washington which will be noted all
over the world for its beauty and mag
nifeence, and which will tell to all
future generations how brave and self
sacrificing were the young freemen who
from 1861 to 1865 carried not only the
life of the Republic, but all the hopes Of
Humanity upon their bayonets.
Let us make this one of the objects Of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and
have every comrade unite upon it with
enthusiasm. Let every Post take it up
and earnestly discuss if, and see that it
is given the importance it deserves by
the National Encampment. That body
should resolve strongly in favor of it,
and take such other steps as will secure
its speedy erection. 1t cannot be done
| too soon.