Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-25
SATURDAY. MAY 20, 1895
veteran. Reunion Here In 1895.

Neterans heuntOn mere IN 'O"N'
The decision OF the United Confederate
yeterans In favor OF Richmond as the
,lsce for their annual meeting and en-
'ampment in 1895 shows that this city
ias a great hold upon the affections oil
he southern people, and proves that we
ave the reputation Of entertaining large
rowds handsomely. But we may well
loubt IL Richmond would have come on
he victor in the contest this year had 1t
rot been for the fact that an appeal was
made in behalf OF Richmond because OF
he efforts now being made TO erect here
monument 10 the memory of the Hon.
Jefferson Davis.
From Houston 10 Richmond Is long
distance, and we doubt II the veterans
would have resolved upon this great
stride but for the fact that the corner
stone OF the Davis monument here is to
oe laid next spring, and that II was
ieemed proper that the occasion should
5o dignfed. and solemniZed. we may say.
by the presence Of thousands Of Confede-
rate veterans.
We say this, say It very candidly be-
cause Atlanta. Charleston, and Memphis
were strong claimants for the honor that
ge won: and because the representatives
It Houston from the far South" were
much more numerous than those from
the upper end OF the old Confederacy.
Richmond, no doubt, would have had
her turn in due time. but that we were
able 10 step in on Thursday and snatch
the prize we must attribute 10 the elo-
guent arguments made in connection with
The Davis-monument cornerstone laying.
Now, this brings US squarely up to
sense OF our duty with reference to the
Davis monument. Richmond should make
very large contribution 10 this
monument fund. We must distinguish
ourselves on the Sd Of June, the ami
versary OF Mr. Davis's birth, the day
rejected for collections 10 be made
throughout the South in behalf Of this
fund. Much as we have done in the
past in the way of giving money for
monuments. we must make up our minds
to excel ourselves in this instance. AS
the chief Of the Confederate Government
Mr.. Davis is entitled TO have grand
monument That is his due; to see that
Il is done is our duty.
\ further duty assumed by Richmond
ia 10 provide for the entertainment Of
the tens of thousands OF veterans and
others who will attend the cornerstone
laying next spring. We raised about
twelve thousand dollars for the fund for
the entertainment of the veterans who
l.
Lee monument; but more than this sum
will be needed next year. SO, in addition
to all that private hospitality can do
and IT can do a vast deal-we shall have
our hands full in May, 1896 But that
Richmond will be equal 20 the occasion we
feel sure. Had the Dispatch not been
confident on this point we never would
have urged the veterans to select Rich
mond as their next meeting-place.
Now, we have got to build an au-
ditorium that will seat ten or fifteen
thousand people. Readers OF the Dis
patch know that IL is a favorite hobby
of ours that this auditorium once built
should be allowed TO stand for some
years-that is. until we have provided our
selves with a grand opera-house. The
auditorium would better be located on
Broad street but we can think OF no
large Broad-street lot that is vacant. ex-
cept in the far West End. The only
suitable sites that now occur TO us are
the Allen lot. Fifth and Main, and the
old Penitentiary-spring lot on Main
street. diagonally opposite the Jefferson
Hotel.
Inasmuch as we shall have to make use
of the Exposition-Grounds and buildings
as quarters for the veterans and volun-
teers. We must have that place connected
with the city by one or more reliable lines
OF electric railway. The line from Chin
borazo TO the Boulevard should be in
full operation by next spring. The, Rich
mond railway company, too, Is ready to
extend its Main-street track up Straw
berry street TO the Exposition Grounds,
and its Clay-street track from Harri-
son street up Broad to the same place
This company has asked for these pri-
vileges, and. we believe. is willing to take
them. whether line is to be built or not
built on Broad street from Chimborazo
10 the Boulevard. We shall have use
for all the tracks that can be laid between
the city and the Exposition Grounds-we
shall want them, not only for the 'vete-
rams encampment in 1896 but for our
annual fairs and for the constant and
growing needs OF that portion of the city.
Thus our people can see that our invl-
tation to the veterans carries with IL
great responsibilities. First. We must
make large contribution to the Davis
monument fund. Next. we must pre-
pare TO entertain the largest crowd that
has ever been seen in the city Of Rich
mond.