The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-06-25
A SOLDIERS MONUMENT.

The recent recurrence of Memorial
Day. and Col. Clark's graphic stoiy of
the contribution Montpelier made to
the war for the maintenance of the
Union, impelled the Journal again to
direct public attention to the circum-
stance that, in the Capital of the
State, outside the precincts of the
State House, where repose the tat
bore in the fore front of a hundred
bloody battles-and brought them all
safely home-no visible token any
where reminds the generations born
since the peace of Appomattox, or the
stranger within the capitals gates
that Vermont, or the people of Mont
pelier, bore any part in the unrelent-
ing warfare for the rescue of the ma
also, the preservation Of the State gov
eminent.
The appeal for the rearing in this
city some proper memorial to the dead
dAlOduO anu w NllO NObOldhS WIN SuhI
be the next to die till none remains,
has brought out patriotic responses.
In personal letter to the Journal, fol-
lowing, the recent reference to the
matter by this paper, the writer said:
81 have had it in mind to write you
about a soldiers monument for Mont
pelier. The towns noble record in
60, Ill 1N,,N %.,,, 1I,,,
should not be forgotten or overlooked.
Really, Montpelier should have
led, instead of followed, in a work
which ought to appeal to the heart
and mind of every citizen. Many
towns in Vermont, much smaller than
Montpelier, have erected some monu-
ment to commemorate the deeds of
their soldiers. Surely, there is no lack
of patriotism in this city. 1t neeos
only to be awakened -
In another letter the writer refer
ring to the recent presentation of the
matter in the Journal says:
cit is deplorable that the Capital
of Vermont has allowed nearly forty
years to pass without erecting some
enduring memorial of her brave SOL
diers. If one will look back through
the mlsts of these vanished years he
must discern in some degree what the
war for the Union meant for those
who fought, and what it meant to the
homes it made desolate. 1t is certain
ly clear what was achieved for us,
and its great price should not be ig-
nored or forgotten.
The writer of the foregoing thinks
that if the funds for the monument
should be raised by private contribu-
ton, the wealth accrning from the
war and it's results might contribute
as thank offering a share sufficient
to build Deco ming memorial.
The erection of soldiers monu-
ment is matter for concerted action.
1t is project for municipal considera-
ton AS the writer just quoted says,
it is deplorable that Montpelier has
allowed nearly forty years to pass
without erecting some enduring me-
mortal to her brave soldiers. The city
can we'll afford now to make amends
for the long lapse of time in the mag
nitude and character of it's memorial
1t is better understood what the war
for the Union was worth. A memoir
al more nearly adequate and more
highly appreciate could now be de-
vised and reared. At its next annual
meeting the municipality of Montpe-
lier ought to take into earnest consid-
GRAFTON, with the view to decisive &C.
ton, the proposition to erect a monu-
ment to her brave citizens who fought
and died that their government might
live.