The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-11-15


mittee of the Daughters OF the Revo-
luton went to Monticello and were
handsomely entertained by the repre-
sentatiyes of Mr. Levy, the present
owner OF that historic spot. The OBJ
iect of the invit1tion, we are inform
ed. was to get the Daughters inter
ested in a proposed memorial road
from Charlottesville TO Monticello
Mr.. Levy is a very wealthy man. and
the astonishing feature of the whole
business is that he did not build the
road himself. if he wished TO receive
the benefit it will necessarily be to
his private property, and if he de.
sired to do something in Virginia
which would rebound to his credit
and become a memorial OF himself
While we do not wish TO detract in
the least from the glory of the good
old county OF Albemarle, for we read
lily accord her all the fame she de-
serves, from the days of Jefferson and
his iorefathers TO the present time.
we beg leave to remark, il the
Daughters are going into the bust
ness of evincing their patriotism by
building memorials roads. and will
extend help where the owners of prop
erty are not represented by rich peo-
pie, then let them turn TO the neigh
borhood OF fredericksburg Why
not build a memorial to James
Madison at his birthplace at Port
Conway, which overlooks the waters
OF the winding Rappahannock? Why
not adorn and beautify the birth
place of James Monroe, on the Poto-
mac, or come TO Fredericksburg.
where he finally made his home. and
build memorial road to the man
whose patriotism was sointense that
he notified all the powers of this
globe-great and small, that there
must be no trespassing or pilfering
upon American ground? Why not
build one of these roads at Wake
field TO the memory OF George Wash
ington and his cherry tree, for the
fiat lowlands OF Westmoreland are
sadly in need of one good road. and
the Wilson's would raise no obioc-
ton, we can assure the Daughters, to
having their property thus enhanced
in value? Or yet further. We rise to
suggest that they 90 to Stratford.
overlooking the magnifeently broad
waters OF the Potomac, which place
is now owned by DR.. r. II. Stuart. q
kinsman of the Lees, and build a
memorial OF beauty and elegance to
their memory. And lastly, why not
come to fredericksburg ana build
three or more memorial roads. for
here we can show them enough revo-
lutionary history to excite the pa
triotism OF all the fair and noble wo-
men in the United States? While we
we would not, and could not if we
would, detract one iota from the
lame, which so magnificently graces
the sacred memory of Jefferson, or
interfere with our sister county or
even one private individual there in
getting all the memorial roads it or
he wants, yet, We beg again to say
that our claims are more meritorous
II
than Monticello. In the first place
Excepting the graveyard, where JEFF
ferson and many of his descendants
are buried, which is exclusively owned
by his living descendants, Monticello
Is not owned by descendant of JEFF
ferson or by relation or connection.
IN remote degree, of any defendant;
while many of the places we could sur-
gest are owned by relations OF the
great men who once occupied them.
Next, those places are not owned bv
any enormously rich people. like the
owners OF Monticello-in fact. speak
ing by comparison, their owners are
poor, and they are unable to perform
patriotic duty, like the owner of
Monticello. in adjoining and beauti-
lying and building memorial roads
to ease and smooth the way of pil-
grims to historic homes.
II, therefore, the Daughters are go
ing to build memorial roads, let them,
while executing the work, turn hith-
'erward and help where help is needed.
Our fishermen and hunters are full