Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-15
JANUARY Is, 1895.
AcDomattox Gets Its Own.

Surrender has been dropped. Apo
mat,ox gets its old name back, while the
new county-seat has been officially desis-
mated as "West Appomattox.'
This arrangement is sensible, and
though long deferred. will, no doubt, be
accepted as satisfactory by the commune
ties most interested. as well as by the
public generally.
From the moment that surrender was
substituted for .Appomattox the Dispatch
has increasingly demanded that justice be
done, that the wrong be righted. and that
the old name be restored. We were for
tunate enough to enlist III our cause the
generally and numerous
examinations of Confederate and Union
veterans. There was perfect unanimity OF
sentiment that Surrender was an OBJ
~jectlonablc name, and that the place was
entitled 10 have and hold forever the
name of AppomattoX.
Weeks and months passed. and the
Post-Ofice Department seemed immov-
able in its purpose 10 adhere 10 its posi-
ton. 1t admitted that it was in receipt
Of numerous protests against the change
of name, but denied that 1t was re-
sponslble for the change. 1t vigorously
protested its innocence, but failed TO do
what the public wished it TO do-ob!lte-
rate Surrender and restore Appomattox.
a last il occurred TO the Dispatch that
q good way TO perpetuate the name pom
the records Of the Post-Ofice Department
and preserve the field Of battle was for
the government to buy the battlefield
and convert Il into a national military
park.
No sooner was this idea advanced than
it met with general approval. And this,
we think, FASTENED the department a
little.
We do not care to go into a discussion
at this time Of the question Of response
bility for the change Of name. We have
all along been informed that the patrons
of old App0mattox never dreamt of giving
up that name until the postmaster there
was informed that it was wanted for the
new county-seat. Then it was that, upon
the suggestion Of a lady, the postmaster
forwarded through the usual channels
the recommendation that Surrender
take the place'of Appomattox. The Post
Oh;cc Department ordered the change TO
be made. and then arose the storm OF
popular indignation.
We are willing to let all that pass.
feeling sure hat the Post-Office Depart
ment will hereafter be much more care
full than it has been in celebrating
of historic places.
All over Virginia ancient names of
places have been ~extinguished to give
room to new and meaningless or objec-
tionable names. Let the department
make a rule that it viii henceforth decide
upon no changes of this character until
1t has given public notice Of its purpose.
And let II abandon its absurd contention
that it is mot responsible, when these
unfortunate changes are made by its own
orders.
The next thing in order is to forward
the movement in favor of making of
~AppOmattox field q national park. Con-
gresham Tucker was quick to adopt the
suggestion of the Dispatch hat this
should be done, and has promised 10
prepare and introduce a bill having this
object in view.
We trust and believe tina Congress will
not only purchase the battle-ground and
place of surrender Of Lee to Grant, but
will make a generous appropriation 10
park the field and construct a good drive
a or avenue, between ~"Appomattox"
and "West Appomattox"-that is TO say,
between the railroad-statlon new
county-seat) and the place of surrender.