The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-22
THE DAVIDSON MONUMENT,
Prof. withers Began the Movementto Erect
Monument to Gen. VIM. Lee Davidson.


In the Charlotte Observer of the 18th
inst. the Greensboro correspondent in re-
ferring to the recent act of Congress-
making an appropriation for the erection
of monuments to the memory OF General
Francis Nash and General Lee
Davidson, of the War of the Revolution,
SAYS: I'm 1777 and again in 1871 the Con-
tinentaI Congress made an appropriation
for these two monuments, but
the money was never forthcoming. The
matter then lay dormant un-
til about fourteen years ago. when
the Guilford Battle Ground Company be-
gan to urge that money be appropriated
to erect monuments to these two heroes
Of the birth of the republic"
This claim of the Guilford Battle
Ground Company is not justified by the
facts, in that it ignores entirely the re-
port of the Senate Committee in 1903 and
in 1925 the marriage of President Mon
roe in 1874, the efforts of Senator era
ham in 1S41 and 1912, and claims the
credit for doing what was done by another
in 1887 and 1888. Between the time of
the efforts of Senator Graham in 1912,
and the introduction of Senate Bill No
1897 on January 4th 1928, there is no
record in Congress showing that the suo-
ject of monuments to either of these
heroes was under consideration. This
bill was introduced by Senator Vance
and passed the Senate. April 18th, 1883
making an appropriation of $4,000 for
the erection of monument to the men,
DRY of General VIM. Lee Davidson.
On July 10. 1888, the House Committee
on Library, ordered the bill reported.
This bill Or a similar one has been be-
fore, practically every Congress which
has convened since that time. Quite re-
Gently the scope of the monument has
been enlarged to include also monu-
ment to General Francis Nash. On
January 16, 1883, Hon. G. W. McClammy,
then a member of Congress- wrote to
the leader of the movement stating that
he should like to amend the bill in The
House so as to include General Nash S
monument.
We have been permitted to see some
of the newspaper extracts, and some OF
the letters written about that time,
which prove, beyond a doubt, that the
monument was begun by Prof. W. A.
Withers of this city, and not by the
Guilford Battle Ground Company.
The North Carolina Historical Society,
on October Goth, 1887, adopted the follow
ing resolution:
Whereas, an effort is now being made
by Mr.. w A. Wfthers, chairman of the
committee for the celebration of the
semi centennial of Davidson College
N. c., and by others to secure the enact
ment of a bill by Congress providing for
the sum of $500 for the erection of
suitable monument to the memory of
General VIM Davidson, who was killed
at Cowan's Ford n c., February l, 1880.
in defense of his country's liberty
Therefore. be it resolved The North
Carolina Historical Society most earn
estly petition our members in Congress
ment of said bill.
(Signed)
KEMP P. BATTLE. President
STEPHEN B. WEEKS,
Assistant Secretary"
On December II. 1887, Col w. J. Martin,
President protein of Davidson College,
wrote Prof Wthers: Eve hear with
great satisfaction that you are moving to
secure from Congress an appropriation
to erect a monument to the memory of
General VIM. Davidson. ="
Hon. John S. Henderson wrote to Prof
Withers, on November 2S 1887: u
heartily approve your suggestion that
Congress should make an appropriation
to erect monument to the memory OF
Brigadier General VIM. Davidson
Hon. F. NJ. Simmons. on November q,
1887. wrote Prof. Withers: Il beg to say
{ shall take very great pleasure in aid
ing the movement to secure a revival of
the appropriation to erect a monument
10 General Davidson. % You can
ely upon me to, assist you in any and
every way ! can
The News and Observer, in an editorial
n its issue Of January 1st. 1883, in com
nenting en- an article elsewhere in that
ssue as the subject of a monument by
Congress to General Davidson, says
Mr.. Withers has been devoting himself