The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-31
AN ATTACK ON
DAVIS ARCH.
Continued from First Page.)

UnIlU nHUu
Continued from First Page)
the site at Twelfth and Broad Streets
and the cost of the arch were all decided
upon by the recent general convention at
Wilmington. The board was instructed
to select a model, nothing more. It has
no power whatever, say those well-in-5
formed, to change or delay the scheme, If
it desired SO to do. There are no indica-
tons that the members of the board de-
sire to do either of these things.
It Is said that in the Wilmington con-
lvention Mrs. kimbrough voted with the
others for the memorial arch at Twelfth
and Broad, and this action OF the con-
vention cllnched the matter beyond re-
call SO far as the Board is concerned. &
Mrs kimbrough says in her letter that
Mrs. Behan, of the Board from New Or
leans, asked her to write 1t. This is per-
picking to the local Daughters, as Mrs.
Behan apparently approved Of the arc.
scheme, and named an artist TO COM
pete. Miss Montgomery, whose model IS
now in Richmond.
The Richmond Daughters Of the Con-
federacy are confident that the letter OF
their Mississippi colleague in the Plca-
yune will have no effect upon the ulti-
mate decision of the question, which they
feel assured will be along the lines an
nounced.
MRS KIMBROUGH'S LETTER.
The following is the full text of Mrs
Kimbrough's letter to the Picayune:
Greenwood, Miss, May 2sth.
Editor Picayune: E
My Dear Sir,-Some time ago wrote
an article for the Picayune, expressing
my joy that Mrs. Davis had been called
upon, through your columns. 20 give her
opinion as to the arch monument, which
the ladies of Richmond propose to erect
in their city. Mrs. w. J. Behan, CT
Louisiana, has written me asking for
this communication. which she desires
to use in an argument opposing the a1ch.
I would be glad to give her any as
sistance in my power to prevent the ms
APPROPRIATION of the money Entrusted py
the people Of the South to the Keeping
of the women Of Virginia | regard the
building of a triumphal arch to our de-
featcd President, as not only mlssp-
preparation of the funds created by the
people Of the South, but betrayal or
a sacred trust as well. The money was
never contributed to adorn and beautlty
the city Of Richmond, as has been sus-
Eested, but was to erect a. suitable monu-
ment to him who was the glory ana prlue
of the South. When Mr.. Davis hhioWed
remains were removed to Richmond,
solemn promise was given that monu-
ment worthy of the man and worthy OF
the cause for which he suffered "ould
be erected, and this sacred work was pc
gun by the veterans, and by them turned
over to the United Daughters of the
Confederacy to be completed. They &C
cepted the trust, and now it seems that
the idea has been abandoned, ana the
money diverted to adorn and beautlfy
a certain section of Richmond
ARCH SYMBOLIC OF VICTORY.
This should not be. The trust should be
discharged without regard to the personal
advantage or advancement of any of those
who have the matter in charge. From an
cient DAYS to the days of Dewey and
Schley the arch has stood as symbolic
of victory and success. How ridiculous
this arch would be as monument to our
defeated chief. For all time it would
stand not as a monument to MIR. Davis,
but as n monument to the seeming Igno-
rance and folly of those who had the
matter in CHARGE
Aside from all this, Mrs. Davis. the
widow of him whom we would honor.
who was his partner in all Of his glory
and his companion in all of his SORROWS,
has lifted up her vonce against this folly.
To her trained and cultured mind ana TO
her exquisite sense Of the propretles,
this thing comes as a shock, stunning,
overwhelming shock. Her wishes and her
preferences should be considered and re-
ga1ded above the wishes and preferences
Of all others The people of the entire
South should be considered in this mat
ter, and so far as the writer has read
and heard. only a few women OF Viz
g:ra favors this stupendous folly. May
the women of Virginia call halt and
heed the wishes of Mrs. Davis and the
preference of the people Of the South.
who desire to do honor to our beloved
and who are also obedient to the wish of
his grand and worthy widow.
Respectfully,
(Signed)
MARY SOUTHWORTH KIMBROUGH.
MRS. DAVIS ATTITUDE.
With a view to ascertaining Mrs. Da-
Wis present attitude in relation to the
erection of an arch, The Times yesterday
secured an Interesting interview with
that lady in New York, which sets forth
that there has been no change in her
opposition 10 the form OF memorial. This
interview is printed above.
The following special to The Times was
also received from New York:
Mrs Roger A Pryor, Mrs Jefferson
Davis closest friend, said to-day that the
alleged differences between the Daugh-
tiers of the Confederacy, of Richmond.
and Mrs Davis. over the form of the
memorial at Richmond. to the late Presi-
dent OF the Confederacy, has been great
ly exaggerated.
Mrs. Davis, after consideration said
Mrs Pryor. concluded that the arch
would not be the best form for the mem
| orial, and she wrote several letters to
that effect. The letters were all written
in kindly spirit, and Mrs Davis has in
no way dimmed the patriotic spirit OF
the Daughters OF the Confederacy, who
, have been interested themselves in the
memorial.
.'In fact she had the kindliest and warm
est feeling for them, whenever there are
differences of opinion in matters of this
kind, the public takes seemingly great
delight in airing them. I have no doubt
this matter will be adjusted to the en-
tire satisfaction of all concerned, and
that Mrs Davis will continue to hold the
warm place in the hearts of the ladies
of Richmond, which has always been
hers