The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-11-21
DAVIS MEMORIAL ARCH.
Richmond Despatch.

DAVIS MEMORIAL ARCH.
Richmond Despatch.
There is a monument over the grave
OF President Davis in Hollywood ceme-
terry here-placed there by his wife
and the residence here that he occu-
pied for tour years has been fire-proof-
ed and converted into a Confederate
museum, but as yet no public memo
rial has been erected in this city COM
memorative of him and of the cause of
which he was the exemplar and chief.
That our people have been somewhat
slow in the performance of this Obvious
duty cannot be questioned. But they are
not inexcusable. The first serious de-
lay was occasioned by the prolonged
discussion as to what city should be
Mr.. Davis's last resting place. Then
period OF great business depression
came upon the country, when the COL
lection OF money for such a purpose as
this was impossible. At the same
time Richmond found herself well-nigh
exhausted in resources of this descrip-
ton by reason of the efforts she had
made to build other Confederate mon
uments. At last design was adopted
calling for the erection of a $25O,OOO
Davis memorial hall in Monroe Park.
It cannot be said that that scheme
ever satisfied the public, but the corn
er-stone of the building was laid at the
great Confederate reunion on July Q,
1896. There the subject dropped tor
years, with only fitful awakenings now
and then later on.
Two years ago the Veterens' Jeffer-
con Davis Monument Association in.
voked the aid of the Daughters OF the
Confederacy and received gratifying
response. The work was turned over
70 the Daughters and along with 1t
$40, 900 of cash, all uncollected claims,
the franchise of the associa ton, etc.
The reports submitted at the recent
meeting in Wilmington show that the
Daughters have now in hand about
s38, 900 and that they have an organi-
cation which is inspired by an enthu-
siasm which is sure to raise great
teal more money. Besides, we think,
the Daughters could hold a bazaar in
Richmond this winter and raise at
least $4,000 more.
The determination reached by the
Daughters is to build granite memo
rial arch. It is understood Mrs. DAVIS
would prefer that shaft be reared in
The neighborhood of the Soldiers
Home. But the best sentiment here
IN Richmond favors an arch, erected in
historic Richmond"
The experiment OF putting the Lee
Monument in the West End has not
been satisfactory. Fine private resi-.
fences are now rising in that neighbor-
hood, but the monument looks lonely
and ill-kept.
The site chosen for the Davis arch i.
very near the State Capitol, and City
Hall, and Is not far distant from the
Jeff. Davis Mansion "White
House OF the Confederacy"-now thu
Confederate Museum, and near where
the Battle Abbey will be built. The
site chosen is the top of hill reached
from the valley OF Shockoe creek by .
broad, well-paved street. To all ap
preaching it from an eastward dlrec
ton the arch will present the appear
ance of a gateway opening into Broat
street, Rlchmondis grandest thorough
fare, aud the home OF its largest retail
trade.
i Twelfth street is the street on which
the JEFF Davis House" stands-Twelftl
and Clay streets, distant but tw'
squares. Therefore, the arch not onl,
will be on Richmond's principal street
but will be but 200 yards distant from
the house occupied by the Presiden
during his life in Richmond. Th
arch will have as near neighbors tn
First Baptist church and the Chariot
Williams Memorial Hoepital-the la'
ter now in the course of erection an
destined to be the finest hospital i
Richmond, where there are many no.
pltals.
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