Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-07-08
4 ROT1L OFFER.
Mr.. RousS WiIIing to Gire Half Nil
lion to the Confederate Memorial.

Charles Broadway ROuSs, DelnS ask
Ell to express his views before the
"Battle Abbey" committee of the
Confederate veterans at Richmond,
opened by stating that Mr.. Rouss
had in advance expressed his appro-
val of whatever action the cOmittee
might take. He then alluded at
length 10 the work of various philan-
thropists, eulogized Mr.. Rouss, and
continuing, said;
''Ie has depended upon his own
genius and enterprise, backed by his
own industry, TO achieve his fortune,
and this having been accomplished,
he now seeks to do the greatest good
10 the greatest number of people
that he loves best of all others in the
world. by matching an equal amount
of his money against equal amounts
from the States and Territories of
the South in founding an institution,
in the first place, commemorative of
the great deeds of his countrymen,
Indicative of the age and spirit in
which we live; second, by having
within its walls an academy devoted
to the arts and sciences, and halls
devoted to the accumulation of rel
les and mementoes, and with an in
dustrial school from which the youth
of our country may learn truthful
history. may be improved as to the
mechanical, agricultural, and miner
al resources Of our country, and
where examples will he given Of the
noble women of the South and their
glorious work Of the devotion of the
former slaves to their masters and
their equal devotion to them, and Of
the absolute facts of the institution
of slavery as it existed in the South
previous to the war; third, where
the genius and enterprise of our
country can be fostered and pro-
tected, and suitable premiums and
medals of award be given for super
Tor culture and advancement in the
arts and sciences. Within the walls
of this great sanctuary of learning it
is furthermore proposed that there
should be established permanent
exhibition in behalf of railroads, cor
pOrati0ns, mines, forestry, and the
leading manufactures of the South.
Colonel Dickinson then proceeded
to read the correspondence which
had passed between himself and Mr..
ROuss. In one Of his letters to Mr..
Rouss he said:
81 am unable to go into details rs to
the Building or Memorial Hall. This
would be determined after plans had
been submitted from architects and
builders. But | would suggest that
the dimensions should be common
surate with plan to include large
auditorium, with a seating capacity
of not less than $500, There should
be large historical department, one
of art and sculpture, one devoted TO
industrial and agricultural resources,
apartments for exhibits, meeting
halls, and rooms containing spacious
arrangements for relics and. memen-
toes.
Il could not, without seeing the
plans, determine whether it should
be two, three, or four stories high;
but l would like to see it. to this ex-
tent, in imitation of Westminster
Abbey, that is, contain places or
vaults for burying our distinguished
dead, with statues in bronze or mar
BILE, and slabs of marble or metal,
upon which would be inscribed the
names and deeds of our illustrious
people, l would like to see panels
Of beautiful hard wood, in which
might be placed the portraits of our
great generals and statesmen, and,
among other things, to brighten a
page of history, a room specially
adapted to statue of an old negro
nanny, so dear to the rccollections
of childhood in the South.
Il would have in cultivation
around it beautiful lawns and gar
dens, with trees and shrubbery, with
emblematic fountains, each descrip-
tive of some historical Renaissance,
and along each beautiful pathway
statues of those whom our country
would love to honor.
"As TO the contents Of the va
rious rooms and halls, that would be
a matter Of growth for years to
come"
Mr.. Rouss's reply to the above
letter was as follows:
"Your esteemed favor of June 1st
is before me. 1t is remarkable with
what wonderful accuracy you have
interpreted my dream of 4 great me-
mortal hall and battle abbey, dedica-
ted to the great men and women of
the South, and to the advancement
of civilization and science.
Il have never been more impress
ed than by the seeming inspiration
of your brilliant conceptions, and /
thank you from the bottom of my
heart for your kindly assistance in
the development Of my plans. You
have not exceeded my wishes or my
but you have OWNED my
purpose and you have laid out be-
fore me a great work that has be-
come in its purpose the realization
Of my desires. 1t is no longer a