New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-30
THE NATIONS MILITARY PARKS.


The dedication of the Chickamauga and Chatta-
nooga Military Park on September ~ ana ~
next promises to be 4 notable celebration IN many
ways-in none more SO than because the strik-
ing success Of the Chickamauga experiment mas
anparcn,ly committed the Government to the
establishment Of a general system OF National
military parks That the precedent OF Federal
ownership and maintenance for patriotic and
historical purposes OF the great battlcfields or
tho War set at Chickamauga, would quickly
no anpled 10 other fields equally worthy OF
preservation has from the beginning admitted
OF little doubt; and under the stimulus OF the
Chickamauga and Chattanooga legislation OF
1880 Congress has readily been induced 10 pass
similar acts for acquisition and preservation OF
the battlefelds Of Gettysburg, Antietam ana
Shiloh. These were, perhaps, the four most dls-
tinctiye and representative battles OF the War OF
the Rebellion.
But It Is not likely that historical and patriotic
interest will stop short with the Rehabilitation
Of these four fields; nor would 1t be surprising
~ the present zeal, in and out OF Congress, lor
the preservation Of the Nations backgrounds
were gradually to extend to the purchase ana
marking Of the scenes Of all important military
engagements OF American soil. Gettysburg Is
of course, the real pioneer among the memorial
marks. and is sure to remain the most Interesting
and the most attractive. But the work done 10
nreserye and mark the lines Of battle at Gettys-
burg has been largely the result OF State ana
prlyate enterprise, the National Government ac-
our,ng title only month or two ago TO the
lands which volunteer association had pur-
chased and assuming guardianship of the many
imposing memorials which through the iDerality
Of the Legislatures of the Union States had been
erected on the slopes where Mcades army van
ouished Lees The wave Of revivng interest in
the military history Of the Rebellion which be
Gan TO spread through the country about ten
wears ago found the preservation OF the greatest
battlefield of the War already planned on lines
which offered little chance for Federal cO-opera-
tion and control, and the zeal Of Congress to
meet and satisfy a growing National sentiment
was naturally DETECTED TO the rehabilitation OF
the field Of the two great contests OF the West
-tbe enyirons OF Chattanooga and the Valley OF
the Chickamauga For five years. under the d.
rection Of the Secretary Of War, Board OF Com
missioners has labored to create the park which
is to be opened in September, and at cost OF
about three quarters Of a million dollars an area
Is miles square has been acquired and 80 miles
~ roads or approaches have been laid out. The
nosit,ops Of both armies have been marked at
Cbickamauga and at Chattanooga, and many
States both Northern and Southern, have erect
oil Monuments to commands which represented
,hem in the momentous battles OF September ana
| November, 1863. At Gettysburg, since It's recent
conversion into National park similar methods
have been adopted in opening and marking 'he
Confederate lines. and the excellent system DE.
| vised by the Chickamauga Commission VIII
| doubtless be followed in the development OF Inc
| stu somewhat neglected fields Of Antietam ana
Shiloh. The Governors and the Legislatures OF
| all the States have been invited to attend the
| Chickamauga dedication next September, either
IN person or by representative, and as the fresi-
dent and his Cabinet are also expected TO take
mart IN the celebration a noteworthy gathering
| Is assured.
II may be contended that the perpetuatlon by
| a reunited Nation Of the memories OF civil strile
presents q strange political anomaly But the
paradox holds good, apparently, that true Ma
tonal sentiment has been visibly strengthened
| rather than clouded and enfeebled by the current
revival Of interest In the history Of the Rebellion
and the widespread effort to restore and preserve
tho battefelds on which the vital National issues
Of n generation ago were fought out. The com
| ing celebration at Chickamauga promises tc
| emphasize this gratifying contradiction, ana 10
demonstrating the complete success OF the GOV
ernnent's initial experiment Will undoubtedly
Justify in public opinion liberal expansion OF
the present system Of memorial military parks