Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-03-05
a National Mem6rlal Associa-
fioff.

and noble letter from that grand
Confederate veteran, Charles Broad
way Rouss, to tie editor of the States.
Mr.. Rouss requests MS "to remove
the mistaken impression that prevails
to some extent in Louisiana with
regard to the establishment of a
National Memorial Association. 1t
is apprehended," says he, .'that such
an institution would injuriously
affect the Memorial Association at
New Orleans by depicting it of its
garnered treasures.
We know of no better, nay of so
good means of removing this err
roneous impression than by laying
Mr.. Rouss' letter in full before the
public.
Mr.. Rouss is the originator of the
scheme to erect such noble and en-
during monument to the heroes, dead
and living, of the Confederacy, and he
has proposed with his well known lib
erality, to subscribe for large por-
ton of the stock. Such an institution
should by all means be established.
Tie North has vast numbers of scrib7.
bling and inscriptions historians
attempting to write up the history of
the war between the States and
poisoning the minds of the present
and of the future with the most
infamous calumnies of the South.
Are we to leave our side of the story
unwritten; or leave its writing to
some future historian who, however
just he may be disposed TO be TO the
South, will find no general repository
where the evidences of truth and the
whole truth areto be found--gathered
and massed for his use? We hope not
Let not the story of the greatest war
whose thunders ever shook the earth
be written by our enemies alone.
Let US write the story ourselves; or
gather all the facts for the use of
some just and competent writer of the
future.
Gen. Stephen D. Lee has called the
atten of the veterans, who are to
hold a grand reunion in Houston in
May, to this proposition of Mr.. Rouss
to build this Repository, and we have
no doubt that the noble scheme will
take shape on that occasion.
The following is Mr.. Rouss' letter,
addressed to the editor of the States:
Major FL. j. Hearsey, Neeo Orleans,
La:
My DEAR CoMRADE-May 1 rely
upon your kindly offices to remove
mistaken impression that prevails to
some extent in louisiana with regard
TO the establishment of a National
Confederate Memorial Association?
tits apprehendcd that such an insti-
tuition would injuriouslY affect the
Memorial Association at New Or
leans, by depicting it of its garnered
treasures of relics, etc. 1 cannot
emphasize too strongly my repeated
disclaimers of any such purpose or in
tention. would neither suggest nor
endorse any plan that would endanger
the existence of any memorial organi-
cations, be they where they may, for
1 consider them of inestimable value
in the fulfillment of our duty to vindi-
cate the truth of history as it relates
to the Confederate cause 1t was
never contemplated to secure the sup
port of the Louisiana veterans to the
proposed institution at the expense of
any associations TO which they were
contributors. The commanders of the
different camps were addressed be-
cause no other means suggested them
selves for reaching the veterans indi
vidually. The circular letters issued
in November and December last were
explanatory of the theory upon which
the proposed memorial work would be
conducted, and the objective point
was to create national Memorial As
ISOLATION to which every Confederate
veteran in the land should contribute
individually. The nearer that we APP
proach unanimity in this, the more
convincing will be the proof to the
world and to posterity of our rever-
ence for the memory of our comrades
who gave up their lives in its defense.
Local shrines command but limited
worship, yet they should be preserved
Their existence should stimulate us
to the erection of grandcr and loftier
work of commemoration to the erec-
ton of National monument which
should stand "unveiled in all it's tow
ering and majestic proportions
the suggestion of grand eternal
beacon light radiating the truth as
involved in principle, as well across
the stormy track of the past, as into
the mists of the future" Such
memorial is due to the South in
vindication of her cause. and in JUS
tice to her heroic sons who died in
defense of it.
You will be gratified to learn that
Louisiana veterans we've among the
first to endorse the National Associa-
ton, and to give assurance of sub
stantial support. Evidences of
,ot;,,a intaraef in tho wnrI. ara cop,