The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-13
To tho Dau.n,ers of the South.

Editor of The Times
Sir,-W1ilSt l do not depTecate 'otlt SYM
pathize with the zeal and love which
incpires the women OF the South to de-
sire at once to build a monument to our
revered President Jefferson Davis, j
would make q. suggestion to them Atter
an earnest conversation with one OF uhe
most Intelligent and interested OF their
society-one who holds in custody as q
nucleus the first gold Collar which had
been contributed towards this purpose.
a lady whom | Travelled with on a recent
trip from LyICfrburg, together WITH a
gentleman from North Carolina, who
gave lls5 an account, Of the deplorstoie
state OF necessity poverty and is-
nordnce: which fnperilS the future OF the
daughters of our deal Confeder;ttes. those
men who gave their lives to maintain
what they conscfentioti5ly believed to be
the cause OF TRUTH and Justice, a cause
which can never be lost more than that
vital principle which nerves one to sui
fer death rather than betray this cause
which was duty and first duty. We're Je--
ferson Davis living to-day he would say
build this school first, it is needed right
now-let my monument be delayed to 90
| q work which cannot and should not be
put Off-rescue the children OF our dead
Coufederates from the consequences of is-
norance, poverty and haip.essne.ss. Those
girls who are filling the factories OF the
| country, the building of which appears 10
| the casual mind evidence of prosperity,
| need other refuge, resource and protec-
| tion; give them d living chance to ousild
within themselves characters, under the
| stimulating growth which will be promot-
| ed. Have they such an opportunity Of
fered to them? Parents. many of them
seem Obvious TO their duty and are
| placing these little ones to perform work
! which is beyond their capacity, mentally
! or physcally-their little hands are part
| Of the great machinery which grinCs out
profit for those who take little heed of the
| manner and means to attain their ends
General Robert f.. Lee in a letter to his
| son. Gusts, which was recently published
| in the Baltimore Sun, November 50. has
this to say of duty, present duty: There
| is greatness of heavenly wisdom in the
mind of all who obey present duty" The
! writer calls to mind Jefferson Davis as he
| sat in the pew in front OF his Of hers at
| ST. Paul's Church, his earnest prayful de-
Touons-he WAS a great C.lieftain, but
| greater than all devout Christ ian-weli
| do We remember the fateful Ord of April,
| when the messenger came to announce
! the news OF Confederate disaster, how he
| and his cabinet LETT the church. Mr..
| Davis was man to whom self sacrifice
! was nothing. Daughters, heed the voices
! of cur dead chieftains-reSolve to do your
| present duty and build this school at
VIZ lbI Unrest GIil!i!itil. WHO dic t!lS
| dren of their soldiers whom they Ionored
| and loved Let no pride deter yotI-all the
! more will You feel encouraged to work
| when you have begun at the beginning.
| The women of the South were wise and
like themselves to prefer ito have their
monument take the form OF this insti-
! tuition which is to commemorate their
sorrow and sacrifice during ruhe days Of
our great conflict. Truly history does
| not record women who did nIore-ttley
| ploughed. They sowed. they harvested, they
saved and dyed THE 'Hoool-wove, made gar
| ments, knit socks, made gloves, cut but
tons. and the with hands unused TO toll,
bleeding from exposure. they buckied on
| the war tEsappings Of their fathers, sons,
brothers and husbands, and with hearts
bleeding, with love babe them God speed
to meet the invaders and destroyers OF
our homes and country.
No lost cause do worship, but a liv-
ing. God-given principle-for which men
and women before have persisted. Let US
| continue to cherish those principles and
lay foundation upon which to rear other
women who will rise to follow our ex-
ample of love and adherence to duty,
! (present duly.) The members OF the
George Washington Memorial Society
meet on the 18th OF December. the time
| Of the centennial of our capital city. Many
members OF that organization are also
| D. S. c., and doubtless there are many
| noble women among those who will De
present who would be glad as far as
they can TO promote this great charity.
Would it not be we'll and wise for all who
may be in sympathy with this matter tc
take advantage of this great occasion and
crystalize our work into some unity fol
the fuutherarsce of cur plan? The head.
quarters of the George Washington So.
ciety will be ait The Raleigh Hotel. Wash,
ington. D. C. The writer of this was
charter member of Southern Relief So
ciety. also of the Memorial Society o
Washington Let Us, many as can, bt
present and some good may be accom-
plished then and there "a word TO thu
wise. a. S. G.
Culpepes, Va, Saturday sth. 1900.