The evening times., 1899-08-05

Notwithstanding the fact that the major
ity OF the officers of the Robart E Lee
Monument Association, formed last spring
for the purpose of erecting and maintaining
suitable monument TO the memory of the
Confederate general, are out of the city
and that little has been done within the
past few months toward furthering the
movement, the project has attracted wide
attention especially throughout the South
The officers of the association have sent out
circular letter TO the different organiza-
tions of the Daughters and Sons of tbs
Confederacy in the Southern tates, setting
| forth their plans and asking for aid and
suggestions as TO how the scheme of the
association can best be carried out. The
letter is as follows:
''On Wednesday, May 10, 1899, the Robert
Z. Lee Monument Association of the Dis
trict of Columbia was organized under the
most gratifying circumstances, and was
| later duly incorporated. The purpose of
the association is to erect monument or
equestrian statue to the great soldier and
Christian citizen whose name the associa-
tion bears.
Patriotic citizens of Fort Myer Heights,
| Alexandria county, Va, have donated
large tract of land for a memorial park,
and upon which to erect the proposed
| monument. The site Is a beautiful end
commanding one. in clear view from many
parts OF Washington and from its position
overlooEs the city, standing out as IL does
high DIP on the rolling hills which form
the western banks of the Potomac. The
park Immediately joins the Arlington es-
tate. the old homestead of the Lees.
1t is significant In connection with the
purposes of the organization in the matter
of the non-sectio1al character of the dis
tribution of these announcements, hat the
| land was owned and is given in equal parts
by Marylander and a Pennsylvania, men
whose people nearly forty years ago were,
| for conscience's sake, divided into oppos-
| ing armies
while we of the South are justly proud
| of Robert E. Lee as product OF our
| Southland as man whose Christian spirit
and matchless courage embodys the tone
and chivalry of the Southern character.
we accept with pride the sentiment which
places him also as an American soldier and
citizen whose life and record have contrib
uted to the history of our whole country.
This preliminary announcement VIII be
followed by others more in detail In the
meantime however, We would be glad 10
receive expressions of approval, sugges-
tions. and financial aid
1 This letter is signed by Florence ,.
Vance as president.
Although the letter has been out only
a short time, many favorable answers have
been received in which have been inelosed
checks accompanied by hearty endorse
ments OF the monument project and offers
of aid to bring il 10 a consummation.
/ Numerous methods of raising funds for
carrying out the plans Of the association
have been suggested and will be consid-
cred at the next meeting of the organiza-
| ton to be held during the latter part OF
the present month or in the early part OF
September.
| Miss Nina Stephenson, the recording
secretary of the association, has started
| an endless chain movement similar TO those
| so much in vogue during the early part
| of the Spanish war. A large sum has al
| ready resulted from this method and re-
plies are being constantly received 1t is
anticipated that thousands of letters con-
| tanning contributions will continue to come
in for some time yet
One suggestion which seems to meet with
! general appreciation is that of providing for
| a series of lectures and entertainments to
be held in Washington the coming winter.
| The originator of the idea believes that a
series OF entertainments embodying lee
Il
speakers of the country; and perhaps two
concerts in which will appear the best
talent obtainable. will be not only very at
tractiye, but exceedingly profitable 10 the
association. Gen. John B. Gordon, the ia
nous lecturer, has been asked TO CO.
operate in the movement and he has replied
| favorably AS yet this plan for obtaining
funds is only suggestion, but ii is proba-
Bile that il will be endorsed at the next
meeting of the association.
4 Mrs Florence 5. Vance, wife OF the late
Senator Vance of North Carolina, and
president of the association. is at present
| at ter home in North Carolina. She is
| taking an active interest in the project,
however and IS doing much to arouse
| enthusiasm and interest in the Southern
1 States, which she has visited since leaving
| Washington
| Mrs. Vance has received communications
| from sculptors in Richmond, Washington.
and New York. offering to make models
| of statue 10 General Lee, showing that the
| movement is attracting the attention Of the
artists There is general feeling of graft
| feation over the progress thus far made
| by the memorial movement. The work
will be pushed vigorously in the COM
ing fall and winter.