The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-17
WERE UNDEsERvED
Unkind Comment as To The Delay IN
the Winchester Shaft.

To the Editor \ good deal has been
said as To the delay in erecting the
North Carolina shaft in the Confederate
cemetery in Winchester, Va. All that
have seen was more or less disparaginS
to the people of this State. It was as
unexpected as it was undeseryed.
was surprised when the Washing
ton papers took it up in the spirit they
did. | was aStonished when the Bal
timore papers followed suit, while
nothing short of amazement would eN-
press my feelings when a Winchester
paper-the Times-gave the unkindest
cut of all, in that downright duplicity is
intimated if not charged.
That Winchester. the old Winches-
ter that we North Carohnians have
been reared to love and honor and re-
spect rs the very embodiment Of sym
pathy for all things Confederate should
suddenly turn harshly critical was 1t
most difficult realization. We almost
found ourselves scanning the map TO see
il there must not be more than one
Winchester in the old Commonwealth.
On no other hypothesis could our minds
reconcile the fact that such could issue
from Winchester.
L
praise or blame may rest where it be-
longs For nearly thirty years after
the close of the war the North Caro-
lima graves-nearly five hundred in
number-n the great Stonewall ceme-
terry at Winchester lay unnoticed by the
mother that babe her sons go forth, do
yalantly and, if need be, die in defence
of Southern Independence In 1894 the
Rev. Mr.. Avirett came back to this, ms
native State. Among his first acts was
TO cast about to see in what he could
further the Confederate cause. AT once
these unmarked graves became the ODD
iectS OF his solicitude. In season ana
out Of season he urged that the people
of North Carolina atone for TINS long
neglect by prompt unanimous action.
Success crowned his efforts. All the
North Carolina graves were furnished
with the largest and best head and foot
stones in the cemetery.
The shaft also was his conception,
and largely his work 1t was at his in
stance that Mr.. Rouss gave so literally
towards it. Again it is owing to his I'M
tiation that at the meeting OF the vete-
rams III Raleigh last winter the commit
tee was appointed that raised the bal
ance needed and made his conception
reality And / will add that during his
five years sojourn in this State no other
man did as much, or near as much to-
wards arousing and directing the Con
federate, spirit, as he did. He trod ON
some toes that had corns on them. SO
much the more his honor. Things would
be in bad way indeed if there were
no one to tread on such toes
| will also add for the enlightennent
of the Winchester Times that when
Mr.. Avirett many months ago stated
that hard times then hindered the rails
ing of the money for the shaft he told
the truth that when last month / stated
that the breaking of the stone was
causing the delay. / also told the truth;
and that if even family irradiated by the
big. warm heart of the true Winchester
il would have known how to reconcile
tbese statements which are at war with
each other only in the eyes of those VINO
are at war-no / will not say at war
With the highest Southernism, for the