The record-union., 1897-01-17
PROPOSED MEMORIAL GROVE.
Ladies Of the Grand Army Working
Hard For II.
Members of the Grand Army Take
1t Up Enthusiastically
All Over.

Iornia Department of the LadleS OF the
Grand Army to arrange for the planting
of memorial grove in the Capitol Park
here are losing no time, but are working
very energetically to make success OF
the project.
AS stated in the Record Union on
Thursday, the idea was suggested by
the planting of a colonial grove in Gold
en- Gate Park, San Francisco, and was
conceived by Mrs Dr. Waggoner of this
city, who promptly Set to work 10 inter-
est other members of the Edward Roby
Circle in the matter.
At the first meeting of the circle after
she had formed her plans she read to the
members a statement, with suggestions
of what she considered desirable. rms
statement is as follows
Sister President and Ladies of the Cir
Gle: In a paper of Monday, the 9th of
the current month, we read the interest
ing announcement that on Monday, the
18th inst there would be tree-plant-
ing in Golden Gate Park of thirteen
beautiful trees representing the thir-
teen original Colonial States.
The trees to be taken from historic
battlefields and other notable places
along the Atlantic Coast. There will
be- continues the article, "a white oak
from the Saratoga battlefield plane
tree from the birthplace of General Ma
thanael Green of Rhode Island. MasSa-
chusetts will send an elm from the grave
of Captain Isaac Davis, who on April
49, 1116, led the first organized attack
upon the army of George Ill; Delaware
sends a locust from Belmont Hall, the
home of the early Governors of that
State South Carolina a magnolia from
notable battlefields of the revolution
ary period; Connecticut a scion from the
famous Charter Oak; Pennsylvania
tulip tree from Valley Forge camp
ground Other Colonial States will be
represented. each by it's special variety"
The sentiment is a magnificent one,
far-reaching and educational in its con-
ception. We can readily perceive the
wisdom of it's designers, for as the years
come and go these memorial trees, with
their springing buds, their fragrant
flowers their falling leaves, will each
tell over and over again to coming gen
erations the old, old story of the he
roism and volor Of our colonial and re-
volutionary ancestors. The promoters
of this scheme, as you may have al
read devined, are the Daughters of the
American Revolution. 1t is marvellous
what valuable service to the country
these patriotic ladies have rendered.
They have saved from alien hands and
the greed of the foreigner many sacred
battlefelds, and, from ruin and decay,
many historic houses. They have estab-
lished societies and their society histo-
rians are continually adding to their
fund of literature thrilling incidents and
happenings in the lives of our honored
foremothers, during those stirring tipes
incidents and facts that would have
been utterly lost except for the wisdom
of this and kindred societies.
In noting from time TO time the splen-
did achievements of these DANES and
daughters. the question has come to me
again and again: Is there not some
thing for us to do? Something to pro-
mote the interest and increase the use
fulness of our order? Must we, the La
dies of the Grand Army of the Repub
lie who, like our colonial and revolu
tionary sisters, represent and commem-
crate the thrilling events, the heroes
and heroines of a great war, a war for
the defense and perpetuity of our Ma
tion-shall we, who should be actual ted
by the same motives and inspired with
the same patriotism. sit idly by with
folded hands and silent pens? Emphat-
ically / answer, NO"
\ thought has come to mean in
spiration, it may be-from the camping
ground of our brave soldier dead A
plea, it may be, for recognition and an
pepa cinua1 rem ON hra y1ca In b1ISv
world of ours we think only Of the liv-
ing and their environments. We forget
the sacrificed slain, who gave their
lives so willingly for their country's de-
fense.
The thought is this that We too. have
An historic tree planting; that we Sc
cure. if it is possible space and privi-
lege in our beautiful Capitol Park, and
there in the midst of martial music and
imposing ceremonies plant memorial
cluster OF indigenous trees. gathered
from leading battlefields of our great
civil war.
The colonial trees in Golden Gate
Park are arranged to form semi cir
Gle or arch, conforming to the topog-
riphy of the Atlantic Coast Ours
might form star. shield or a flag;
mystic circle of our patriotic order. and.
If a circle, then in the center of this
memorial group 1 would set, If it could
b. obtained, scion from that famous
oh McLain apple orchard at Appom-
atox, and there / would have ii stand.
ssntinel-like, growing and thriving,
booming and fruiting, from year to
ysar, where emblematic it would al
be.a hn unconditional 4
q the great contending army and the
mace that was to come.
DO you grasp the idea? Do you com
pehend the grandeur of the scheme?
mink of 1t all: think of the object les
sDn 1t would be to future generations:
b school children as they roamed
trough the beautiful grounds sur
punding our State Capitol. receiving.
IS they paused under the shadows of
lome silent messenger from Gettysburg.
Dr the Wilderness. new incentives to
tie study of war history. Think of the
h.nor that would be ours as these me-
nprial trees grew and grew. pushing
tleir strong limbs up and towards our
far California sky, their branches.
havy with foliage, reaching out and
mo the California sunlight for ages
an ages bearing silent witness of the
battles lost and won in the great Re-
billion
PARDON me- but as my own enthusi-
am gathers strength while contem-
piting this proposition, | feel assured
ofthe willing aid of every circle in the
apartment, and of the sanction and
harty cooperation OF our department
oacers, and that Circle No. , viii not
leg hesitate in taking hold of this GER