The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-16
Opinions Differ In Regard to Establishing
Appomail0x Rational Park.
COLONEL ROGERS SPEAKS aPpRovIHGLY
Representative Otcy Emphatic III a1is
OPposition-proclo BiIi TOO Much
0ne-Sided-Epes Not Disposed TO
Taik-swnDson Keeps His Opin-
ions TO fltnseif.
Especial Cor. Of The Virginlan.)
Virginlan Bureau,
Coz Fifteenth St., n. W.,
Washington, Feb. 10, 1879

!
Washington, Feb. 10, 1898.
| Among Southern members of Con-
gress and Senators there are conflict
Ing Views as 10 the propriety OF estab-
fishing AppomattoX National Park.
Two decidedly opposite views are ex-
pressed One view is that dt will bury
all sectional animosities, and the erec-
tion Of peace monument will com
memorate the closing Of the final scene
In the greatest epoch of American his
tory. This view finds many warm sup
porters. On the other hand, those op-
posed to the AppomattoX National
Park scheme contend that it is mer-
cenary in its muTive, and that for such
monument to Ibs erected on Virginia
soil would be constant reminder to
future generations of the overthrow and
humiliation Of the South. Both of these
views find numerous supporters. The
subject is Il growing one among South
ern people and veterans here, and is
likely to occupy a foremost place In
newspaper discussion in the South.
Col. George II. Rogers, well known
in Norfolk as having commanded the
Sixth Virginia Infantry throughout
the entire war. and who surrendered
at AppomattoX, expresses the view of
the Southern veteran as follows:
II have no hcsltancy in saying AS n
Southern man, a Confederate and a
most modest aug5r in the scenes and
dscds Of that memorable day of. sur
render Of the Confederate broken forces
TO the Federal army, that to me the
intent and expressed purpose OF this
bill is most praisewor'thy, and that
1t must meet with the favor ,>f the peo-
pie of all sections, of all political par
ties who are sincere devotees OF the
prosperous peace they so loudly profess
to proclaim. Much has been done 10
honor the dad who by sacrlficial er-
forts, then and there secured to us
peace, and the ACCOMPLISHMENTS of 4
Union all uNowi exIfess carn;u,: da-
vction to.
'BC't heretofore these grateful deeds
have been put In execution by sections,
and not by the Union Of the people
WE paid so heavily to secure. while
the purpon: Of this bill seems TO have
in view the sincere act of that Union.
Il trust that voices will come up from
every section OF the Union, from all
quarters, North, South, East and West,
and urge this bill to Immediate action,
that some who Were present on that
| sad-gfad day may be able yet again
though their locks are 'whitened by many
winters, to revisit !those sacred fields.
and by the firm grasp of hands of
comrades and bi:rhers yet bridge the
stronger the chasm then gaping be-
tween them.
1T must be borne in mind that time
is Meeting and that memory is rrail, and
that unless we mark it's tablets by re-
cords as lasting as time. the actors of
MAJ memorable day will be but vaguely
rs'meHtbered, and that a little later
oblivion even will sweep over them.
Such we know is the lfrality Of ma
ture. He't for a time can recall the
scenes at AppOmau:oN Courthouse as
wildly as though OF occurrence Of veg
terday. But for how long? II was then
ana there shat ] gave the last military
order 1 ever gave and having gone
through the formula Of surrender (nev-
er before passed through as | mcved
by the left flank, 1t was IN grievous
sorrow, oft the field OF defeat vet with
acute ears, to hear the sounds of cy-
uEation in tones of mockcry, but no
such discordant sounds distressed me.
rather all Soldierly courtesy was shown
us, and all along the SERTED ranks of
our late foes, there seemed to have
sprung into new life n brothcrly SYM
pathy that moves only the soldiers
hears and that we should do well 10
Keep alive by such acts as this bill
contemplates."
Congressman Otey, who represents
the Lynchburg district, says:
fsplylng to your inquiry as to
whether l favor Senator Proctor's bill
creating App0mattoX National Park and
erection of a peace monument. hermit
me 10 say that object to monumcntjnr
on" defeats while the fields of our
| greatest ach v2m!ants are forgotten
and allowed 10 grow up in weeds. The
great pension office here with its mil
lion roll Of pensioners. is an ENDURING
monument to the valor OF those who
surrendered at AppOmattox The bill in
question leaves the design of the monu
ment to six persons. four of whom
must Cor will from the tex, of the hin
DC people whose sympathies will be en-
'ire!y with the Northern army. Two
WIZ be in sympathy with the Southern
soldier with majority Of two thu
design VIII b. practically free fr,,m anv
suggestion from our side. If any bin
IS going TO become law PERTAINS The
proctor All is as free from objection as
any except in the particulars named"
Congressman Epcs: Il had rather not
sNpress an opinion a; this time
Congressman Swanson: II have d.
cldcd views on the subject, but had
rather withhold my views Just now"