Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-29
MARSHALL, MONROE, AND TYLER.

u.RsUAIJ,. MONROE, AND TYLER.
The correspondent OF the Fredericks-
| burg Free Lance. whose letter we repro
| duced I'm the Dispatch yesterday, Is cor
| rect in his statement about the condition
Of the grave Of Cbief-Justice Marshall.
That distinguished virginian Is buried
in Shockoe-IIi' Cemetery. which at the
time OF HIS death was the west-end GEM
etery Of Richmond, but is now little used.
| No new lots can be bought there. ana
burials In the old ones are infrequent.
The consequence is that the cemetery Is
not much visited by the public. and the
lots. as a rule, are not kept free from
grass and weeds. But the Marshall sec
ton is usually in fair order the IRON
fence is In good condition. and the tomb
which is of marble and granite might
be repaired easily. 1t Is duplicate OF
the one Judge Marshall placed over his
wife's grave few years before his
death and was a costly one for that DAY
While it is not right to say that Mar
shalrs grave is neglected, 1t Is des~ao'e
that it should have somewhat more az
tcntion than Is given II, and 1t Is to be
regretted that it Is not in cemetery
which is generally visited by the public,
and especially by visitors Ia Richmond.
We think 1t would be well TO remove
the dust Of the Marshall family from
Shockoo Cemetery to Hollywood Gene
terry. If that could be done without DIS
obedience Of any wish of the deceased
If the remains and monuments could be
transferred to Hollywood and taken
under the care of the State or the Nir-
ginia Bar Association, we are SATISFIED
the people Of this Commonwealth would
be much better pleased than they are 10
have them in a cemetery which is seldom
visited which is not OF easy access 70
strangers. and which ultimately Will
have only the perfunctory care the city
may provide for it. If more imposing
monument could be erected over the ,
grave Of the Chief Justice so much the
better.
The number of people who are person
ally interested in Shockoe Hill Cemetery
is steadily decreasing, and the time is
nearing when it will have only such at
tention as may be afforded it through
the means of a meagre appropriation from
the City Council.
1t is intimated In the letter mentioned
that the State of Virginia should take
charge Of Judge Marshalls grave, and
that his descendants would willingly
yield to her full control Of il. Doubtless
they would be equally willing to surrcn-
der charge of it to the Virginia Bar As
ISOLATION Either arrangement would be
appropriate.
Virginia has undertaken to care for the
tomb it erected over Monroe and to build
a monument over the grave of President
Tyler, both in Hollywood; but the tomb
of Monroe is sadly in need of paint and
Of repairs. As for the grave Of John
tyler, IL stands unmarked, awaiting the
time when Virginia shall redeem her
promise to his family
Some people may charge our dear old
mother state with disregard of sacred
obligations as to these graves, but the
who know how dire has been her distress
financially since the close of that war
which dismembered her territory, de-
vastated her fields and killed many Of
the flower Of her youth, will judge her
lenently yet hope that the time is now
at hand when she may discharge her |
obligations, express or implied. in letter |
and spirit. Not only should the memory |
Of Chief-Justice Marshall be honored by |
proper attention to his burial place. but |
the tomb of Monroe should be put in |
capital order. and over the grave of John |
Tyler there should be placed "A monument |
in keeping with his character and public |
services.
Our State still has need to exercise |
great economy in the administration Of |
her afftirs. but it is not out of her power
to spend a few thousands Of dollars for
the purposes indicated. We do not be-
lieve the taxpayers of Virginia would
enter any objection. Our Treasury this
year will have an unexpected accession
of funds by reason of the money brought
into it through the operations Of the
"land-grabbers law" and it would surely
seem that the needed sum might now be
spared for purposes so commendable.