The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-21
PLEA ron RICHMOND.
Strong Reasons Why the SOuth'a
Museum should he Here.

Museum should he Here.
The following statement fully explains
itself, and VIII be read with interest by
the people Of the entire south, to whom
It, Is addressed by the ladies who have
converted the white house of the con-
federacy into a museum which they hope
TO eventually develop into great south
The Confederate Museum in the Jeffer-
son DAVIS mansion, In Richmond, Va,
has been formally opened for visitors,
and although still Incomplete as 10 its
anal arrangements and full collection, II
Is fast assuming proportions which Will
call for more room. Judging from its
success so far, the door fees and sale of
souvenirs" viii meet the current eXpen-
SEES. Visitors from California and Mime
sofa, on the west and north, and all the
way down from the east to the south, are
already registered.
Fourteen states are represented in
these rooms, with Vice-regents and re-
gents in each state, who are earnestly
but quietly, at work. In fact, this work,
which is now SO far advanced, has been
done so quietly that only those who have
been labOring, realize that this museum
is more than a local institution. The
society was started in February, 1890,
with exactly the design and scope of
what has later become so well known as
the Battle Abbey Of the South" pushed
so eagerly by the soldier-patriot, Charles
b. Rouss. Woman-Eke, indefatigable zeal
and labor has been quietly given, without
advertising, and but little publication, and
unwoman-like. with not much talk. Every
hard-earned dollar has been expended
only where IL seemed to bring substantial
returns, until now the manson and
grounds donated by the city, repairs,
fire-proofng, restoring the building TO its
original appearance etc, paid for by funds
raised by the society represent not less
than from $50 900 to Sos, 600. 1t has probably
been mistake that the society has not
made known more extensively its aim
and its success. There has been during
these years, a steady collection of relics
and there Is in actual possession not only
relics, but documents and manuscripts of
untold value. The Southern Historical
Society, in which can be found the most
valuable and reliable records and data
for the lover Of truth and the future his
torian Except in the war records office,
in Washington, ID. CO, may be designated
as a part of this society, having become
permanently established in this mansion.
In the Georgia room Will be found the
Mary de Renne collection, one of the most
valuable and extensive collections of
southern, together with other papers and
relics, in existence This lady began her
work early in the war In behalf of an
historical society, spar.ng no trouble or
expense, and using all her personal inhu-
ence and persuasiVeness, which was great
to secure for love what could not be
bought for money
The grounds belonging to this dwelling
are sufficiently extended to permit the
erection of a building, such as will be re-
quired for the Battle Abbey of the South,
and already II is shown that an additional
building win soon be required. Cannot
der, which could be secured free of cost.
be utilized by Mr.. ROuss and the veterans :?
Cannot this siXty-odd thousand dollars,
already raised and wisely expended in
securing the greatest relic of all, The
White House Of the Confederacy," and its
contents, be combined with the effort on
foot, by this later mOvement2 When this
society was formed IN 1880 there had been
no proposition anywhere to establish ma
uonal memorial hall Qf such a term is
allOWable); and that il should be national,
in the nations capital seemed Just and
right in eternal fitness of things. Added
to the reason that the capital represented
which no other place could do, were the
sacred associations in the hearts of SOL
diers from every state, who fought in des-
perate combat at the gates of this citadel;
and the undying love and sorrow of
women in every state, whose loved ones
lie sleeping in Hollywood and lakewood
those men whose lives were given a will
ing sacrifice at these gates.
1t was through the loving thought of the
women of Richmond that this endeaVOr
to establish a Battle Abbey in Richmond
would be carrying out the wish of every
dear veteran of their beloved cause and
it was undertaken in the belief that every
one of them would sustain this effort to
their fullest ability. Should these veter-
ans decide that some other spot can bet
ter represent the confederacy, there will
be no word of complaint AS ii was
through the will Of the southern people
| that Richmond should be their representa-
tive in the past, she gladly accepted the
] lfuSIs anu as she SlOON at the front, amid
/ the shock of battle, while her fields were
/ bathed in blood, So again. if this honor
! and crown be placed upon another's brow,
| she will stand
Tho childless and crownless in her
Voiceless Woe
| content that their VIII be done.
This hall must needs stand as 1t is; the
| house by its charter goes back to the city
| if ceasing to be used thus; its relics were
| donated to go into that house, and as a
sacred trust ii must remain as il is Nir-
! ginia's most sacred and precious me-
/ MORALS are pledged and given here-Lee's s,
| JacksOn's, Stuarts, Hils-and cannot be
removed, so in the great Battle Abbey.
| if planted elsewhere, there can be but a
| small representation of this old battle
SCARED state.
The Battle Abbey feature has been OBJ
| served in the collection of all relics the
ladies making the effort to obtain with
| every relic the name and record of some
! soldier, and donations are requested to
| be sent in memory of some soldier whose
| name and record shall be inscribed on the
/ roll kept in the museum. The design Of
/ this movement from the first has been
/ not simply as a museum, but as a me-
mortal hall in the fullest sense
Mrs. Joseph Bryan, President
! Mrs. Lizzie Cary Daniel, Corresponding
| Secretary.