The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-17
$40, ISL and $50 Broadway,

New York city, February s, 1895.
Mr.. N. f.. Van Doren, Richmond, va.
Dear Sir.-Volume Y OF the southern
Historical Society Papers contains an ar
ticle IN relation to my efforts TO secure
the establishment OF a National Memo
rial Association. 1t states: mir. van
Doren's suggestion that the generai assv
ciation proposed and the lanes OF hlch-
nond be Jo.ned in common EFFORT ana
purpose. seemed, from the response vi 81.
Rouss. to be favoratly entertainer py
HIM" -, ~
Inasmllch as the proposed memorial as.
soc.atlon is now an assured success, ara
as an impression prevails 10 some cStent
in Richmond that It's establishment Mn WI,
be detrimental to the "Conleuerdte NY
mortal Literary Society" | WiSh 10 en-
phasiZe my repeated disclaimers tnat any
such purpose or intention was ever enter
tanned. | would never suggest or suPpoI
any plan that Threatened or enoaHstIeu
the memorial fabric which our NODle "o-
men have erected, with so much OF low
ing devote n and unremitting Toll. 10 not
believe that there Is Confederate Vtte-
ran in the land who Wishes go DEPRIVE
them of the mementOes and sacred rei.cs
that they have collected, or who would
deny to them all the consideration, credit
and honor which are so deserVedly ther
Cue.
movement. and, under the plan suggested
in my circular letters. | can express no
opiniOn as TO location, ] am at NDNV
10 say, however that should the chCiSe
fam upon RiCnmoEd / would urge me
board of administrators TO unite WITH the
ladies of Richmond in common EFFORT
and purpose" IN such manner that the
latter might preserve the IDENTITY OF tHer
assoc alton and not be compelled 10 ftiiH-
uuish the custod.anShip OF their treasures
The purposes OF the Richmond association
and the national association are the SAM
to perpetuate the memories OF me
South's magnificent struggle LOT ciyl ~, i,p-
erty, and to furnish TO posterlty ehuui
ING proofs of the courage, sacr-lces duu
devotion TO duty of the soldier. lhFSe
objects are paramount TO AL other con-
siderations, and concessions however
great. become a duty when they teiiu ~
effect them While there are ardent al
vocates of the location of the natOhdl
association IN different cities, it Is grau-
flying to know that there WlIl De an u,ia W
NOUS acquiescepce IL the uec.sioh Vi 'ne
board of administrators ~ - II.
That body may be safely trusted 70 slt
fairly in judgment on the coInpdrd1rttNe
claims and inducements onered. me
board will be convened previous 10 tHe
annual reunion of the veteran assocla-
lions at Houston, Tex, in May. Inc pldce
of meeting has not yet been determined
upon. -s..,l 80
/ am reported in the article referred to
I'm the Southern Historical Society Papers
as urOposing that each veteran camp
should subscribe al least ten dollars 10
the national institution. Ihdt Is ulcVl-
Subscriptions are SOltiltl llSIll AZ
dividuals, and not from organized todles.
The commanders OF camps were address
ed in order to reach the members. Inere
apneared to be no other practicable
means or the large numbers OF assur-
ances of contributions already received
every one has come from an lndVldudi'
without any relation TO his connec .loh
with a camp. There WIN be many SUD
scribers who did not bear arms N the
great conflict. but who sympathze VITA
the Lost Cause and with thos- VINO up
held II. .....,.4<,,,
The mention of your name IN conhec'. .C
with mine in the article relating 70 the
memorial association AS my excuse loi
inflictng this long otter upon you; l am
quite sure that YOU Will be slad 10 cor
rect the mistaken impression that pre-
walls i'm YOUR city, and ! beg that you VIII
DO 80 whenever occasion presents.
The expressed apprehension of antago-
nfsm between the existing and conie,n-
plated memorial organizations, ana the
nubIcation OF a. resolution reported 10
have been adopted al a meeting OF Nete-
ran camps and other delegates at Mur-
phys Hotel i'm December last, nave peen
made the ground of statement that the
Confederate element Of Richmond Is op-
posed to the establishment of the pro-
posed institution. This is an injustice 10
the centre Of memorial sentiment ana
work. very truIy' ro,,cc
Signed per l..