Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1899-06-09
The Monument Meeting.

MIR. EDIToR:-We had not intend
ed saying anything about the meet
ing at Hallwood last Tuesday, but
after seeing the highly colored artic..
les in some Of our papers, we feel
constrained. as spectators, on that
occasion, to tell what actually and
truly took place. Pursuant to notices
in county papers the ex Confederate
soldiers met at the above named
place and were called to order by
the Commander, Dr. Frank Fletcher,
with Mr.. John H. Wise, Adjutant,
acting as secretary. After getting
down to business, Mr.. T. M. Scott in
a motion supported by very grace
ful speech besought the Camp not to
exclude from voting, upon the most
important question that will ever
arise before them, that of locating
their monument, those grand old
soldiers who fought and bled on the
battle field, but for reasons known
only to themselves, were not MEM
beers of the Camp Their valor had
never been questioned and they were
present with records pure and up-
sullied. This looked so eminently
fair it was not thought voice would
be raised against it, when the chair
man announced he would "settle the
question then and there" and ruled
against allowing them to vote, claim.
ing they had no rights under the
constitution. Mr.. Scott took issue
with the chair and read from their
constitution showing no such rule
existed and followed it up by ap-
pealing from the chairs decision.
The motion was put and the chair
announced it was sustained by vote
of 30 against 25, we think. We will
say here that we stood near two
brothers who were opposed to each
other on the monument question and
the count of each gave the motion OF
Mr.. Scott five majority. We have
heard of another gentleman who kept
a similar count. The mouths of those
who kept these counts were sealed
by rules of the Camp and could not
ask for a division. Several ex-Con-
federates finding they would have no
say in selecting site for their monu-
ment left the hall with hopes crushed
and feelings insulted. On motion,
three minute speeches were allowed
from represe natives of different sec
tions regardless of membership in the
Camp. Mr.. j. w. Edmonds respond
ed for Accomac G. H. in speech OF
much power and feeling, begging the
Camp not to run counter to the
wishes of the people of the Shore
aud against the invariable custom in
this State of placing similar monu-
ments at G. H's., that it was matter
OF love and sentiment and not money ;
that the first money, now amounting
to about $1,000, ever raised for this
purpose was raised by the ladies OF
Baptist Church at Accomac 9. II.
Mr.. Edmonds' speech was cut off with
the remark, time was up. Rev. Mr..
Spencer followed for Parksley and
when he took his seat Mr.. John Il.
Rev. for the same town, received
recognition from the chair and made
a speech showing more preparation
than thought,in which he denied the
statement of Mr. Edmonds and made
the startling announcement that
monuments had been placed at APP
po1nattox and Winchester (battle-
fields), this was received with much
applause by his friends. Mr.. Rev
was soon reminded his time was up
but the Chair made the discovery
that the gentleman had been inter
rupted and allowed him to continue.
In the course of time he finished.
Mr.. ]. H. Fletcher arose for the
Courthouse but was not recognized
by the Chair and took his seat. Mr..
Broughton spoke for Parksley. Mr..
#. nj. Scott followed by an earnest
appeal for the Courthouse and urged
the Camp not to place the monument
where it would not only be seen by
those passing on the railroad but
at the Courthouse where it would be
seen by the entire Shore. The report
of the committee was made by the
secretary, dwelling in his most i'm
pressive style on the bid of Parksley
and leaving the impression with the
audience that monuments erected OIL
the railroad would have to be SO cut
up they would be ruined for the pur-
pose intended. Mr.. A. j. Lilliston
moved to amend the report and to
the surprise OF every one present who
knew any thing OF parliamentary
law the chair refused the anenu-
ment. MIR. Lilliston followed in a
speech that received much applause.
On motion to accept the report the
same was carried by vote OF 90 tc
81 with the members OF committee
voting for their own report except
Mr.. i. NJ. Scott, of Eastville, DR.,
Uhas. Smith voted TO sustain the re
port which located the monument al
Parksley with the statement that he
believed now the people wanted it a.
Accomac c. n. ,..