Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-11
THE RATTLE ABBEY.

THE BATTLE
The ladies of New Orleans have raised
a considerable sum of money for the Con-
federate Battle-Abbey. or Memorial In
stitute: but recently they have expressed
an unwillineness to contribute it to the
Rouss fund, not liking his suggestion
that the abbey be located at Washing
ton. and disappearing of the changes that
he has made in his offer from time to
time. Now, Mr.. Rouss has written the
ladies a letter, setting forth his position
and purposes. and this letter has been
transmitted to them through Mr.. Eugene
II. Levy, of New York.
Mr.. Levy shows that Mr.. Rouss has
already made large contributions to OBJ
iects dear TO Confederates, and adds:
In the Inauguration of his grandest
Protector the perpetuation of those
sacred memories. so dear to every south
ern heart-he has been unfortunate in
his selection of an agent and. as a con-
sequence of the improvidence OF that
person. the collection of the first $4,000
for the erection of the Battle Abbey cost
him over $1,000. But this impeachment
10 the success of the noble undertaking
has been removed. and, under the reOr-
SANITATION Of the Board of Trustees. as
at present constituted. there can exist no
doubt as to the ultimate success of the
movement TO establish the memorial hall
at some city Of the South"
Mr.. Rouss denies that he has ever
changed his offer by word or deed. and he
declares that be "sees the trail of the
serpent in the Misrepresentation Of his
views. All the arrangements. he says
are still left with the United Confede-
rate Veterans. The ladies of the South
have already raised about $4,000 for the
abbey fund, and this Mr.. Rouss offers
IN cover at once with his check for an
eoual amount, and $4,000 additional. And
this plan he will engage shall be con-
tinued until the whole 100000 is raised
The United Confederate Veterans, he
saws will be at full liberty to place the
abbey wherever they please. His "sug-
eestion TO locate it in Washington car
ried nothing compulsory with it." Mr.
Rouss goes on to say:
The United Confederate Veterans and
the ladies of the South were merely
asked If they wished, under certain con-
ditions (Which Colonel Dickinson fully
explaineO. to place the memorial build
ing nj the nations capital. The United
Confederate Veterans sent me commit
tee Immediately after the reunion at
Richmond. who said that the sense OF
the convention was opposed TO Washing
ton as the location, and l said at once,
Get us drop it," and it was dropped
except by a few mischief-makers, VINO,
through envy, jealousy, and malice nave
nersistentlv misrepresented the facts, for
some devilsh purpose, which L ask you
ladies to discover and punish.
In concluding his letter Mr. Rouss
tells the New Orleans ladies that he
would have them use their fund as they
may deem best; but he assures them
that he has never departed from his ORR
ginal plan. and that to get his 100000 the
veterans and ladies' auxiliaries have only
TO raise their 100000. And Mr.. Rouss
will cover each $4,000 raised with his
check for that amount, so that the me-
mortal fund may become an interest
bearing fund at once.
This whole Battle-Abbey subject Is sure
IN come I'D for discussion at Nashville,
when the United Confederate veterans
have their reunion there, in June. There
fore. Richmond ought to be well repre-
scented on that occasion. We ought not
to let the fact be ignored that we have
established here already a Confederate
Museum and Library, which attracts the
attention and ELECTS the commentator
Of all visitors TO this city-northern, as
well as southern. If instead Of trying
to establish another memorial to the
Confederacy IN another city, the Rouss
fund and the veterans fund could be
devoted to the enlargement of the Mu-
scum building here the southern people
would have an establishment in which
they could take great pride. However,
the decision rests with the United Con-
federate Veterans; and it may be that
conclusive action will be taken by them
at the Nashville reunion.
So it is that it becomes desirable that
the Virginia camps shall be ably and
numerously represented at Nashville in
June.
money is scarce. and times are hard,
Of course: but this only makes ii all the
more needful that we should begin early
TO take steps to send proper delegation
10 Nashville.