Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-19
THE GREAT REUNION.
WHAT THIN CITY MUST DO
Asked to Make an Appropriation
for the Auditorium and for Enter
tainment-Prospects for the New
York Reunion.
York Reunion

GtncTdl SOtUiDltttc Va AL ahSt @ci
the sixth annual reunion Of the United
Confederate Veterans, said yesterday that
the preliminary preparations for the great
gathering were progressing satisfactorily.
An auditorium OF neat and substantial
character. to hold $500 persons. and calcu-
lated to last certainly 10. and probably Is
years, has been projected. The plans for
the same, approved not only by the gene
raj committee, but by Colonel Cutshaw,
the City Engineer, whom they called into
consultation. have been selected, and Mr..
d. Wiley Anderson chosen as architect.
All that remains in the matter OF the
auditorium now Is to build 1t out OF
money expected to be furnished by the
City Council. The question Of the appro-
priation of $4,000 for this purpose has
been referred by the Council to its FL
nance Committee, which will meet on
Tuesday next and consider it.
1T cannot be doubted; 1t must not be
doubted" said General Wise. that while
the sum asked for Is a large. one, ap-
parently, II Is, in view OF the benents
that are to accrue to the people OF Rich
mond from having a permanent nall TOT
use by great assemblages, really small
one. and the city of Richmond will find
IL the best investment which Ii could
make under present conditions. The
eagerness and ability and lavish expendi-
ture recently shown bx delegations repre-
senting the cities of. New York, Chicago,
st. Louis, Cincinnati. and San Francisco,
acting in the interest OF securing for
those cities the forthcoming National Re
publican and Democratic conventions
demonstrate the interest which is felt by
all live cities of the land In obtaining
great assemblages of people
WHAT OUR DUTY is.
Apart from the mere business aspects
OF the question:" General Wise continued.
"it will be generally credited that
solemn obligation rests upon Richmond,
of all the cities Of the land. 10 do what
ever It may, even should that involve
sacrifice, in honor of guests whom 1t has
invited, and OF heroes who shed sheir
blood to defend her.
'In addition to the appropriation for the
hall. which, as has been shown, would
become a valuable asset TO the city, the
committee is also asking the sum OF Sl0,Wo
for general entertainment and reception
OF the visiting veterans. We shall en-
deavor to supplement this fund, II OBJ
tained, by an appeal 10 the railroads, IN
cluding the city street railway companies.
and TO the body of the citizens generally.
for about s. coo more, our estimate being
that about $4,000 In all is necessary to
perfect this work in accordance with the
honor, the dignity. and the historic re-
nown of this people. 1t must not be
doubted that we will get this supplemental
sum. too. The city must be decked In
her gayest and most appropriate colors,
like a bride TO receive the bridegroom,
who engages all her deyotiops
WILL SECURE LOW RAILS.
"Our Committee on Transportation has
been. with the assistance of Mr.. Good
man. Of the Traffic Bureau. and or Mt.
Dunlop, secretary OF the Chamber OF
Commerce, for long time al work 10
secure beneficial rates from points OF
the South to this city. We are ALREADY
encouraged to believe that these rates
will be exceptionally favorable. with the
aid of the New YORK authorities in charge
of the contemplated procession OF the
Confederate and Federal veterans
Through the streets of that city on the
Attn of July, we expect to reduce those
rates to minimum. The cooperation
with us Of those authorities Is delayed
while they await an answer to the lerter
of their chairman. Mr.. Dana, of the
New York Sun. to the Grand Army or
the Republic, inviting the union of that
body In the proposed demonstration"
A letter recently received by General
Wise indicates that no doubt is enter
tanned about a favorable answer Dy the
Grand Army of the Republic, and that
gala time and a general apotheosis OF
reconciliation may be expected then.
0fhcTQ have received
many letters from various parts OF the
South. even the most distant indicating
intense interest in the forthcoming re-
union at Richmond, and that a great
concourse, probably the largest that our
CITY has ever known. may confidently be
relied upon.
APPEALS FOR COOPERATION.
General Wise called attention to the
fact that the labor which he has under
taken is an enormous one. and engages
a very great part OF his time. To this'
however, 1t being a labor OF love with
him altogether he does not object. He
is willing to spend and be spent in this
cause. not only now, but for the rest OF
the time that may De allotted TO MN
But. under these conditions, he claims
the right to appeal successfully to the
cordial. loving, cooperation OF every
man. woman. and child In this town.
He thinks every one. no matter who
or what his condition may be. can do
something toward the general purpose.
He will want the women and children
especially to be a great feature in the
programme OF the great occasion.
General Wise wants this matter 70
reach every home Of Richmond, 10 make
this cause not the cause OF committee,
or of any set of people, but the cause or
every one, great or little. big or small,
and rich or poor, who loves liberty and
the valor and self-sacrifice which win and
preserye IL.