The Van Buren press., 1903-09-26
Appeal to tho People.

ne historical COmmlttee OF COnleN.
crate Veterans, to whom has peen
assigned the task Of writing a history
Of Arkansas part in the Confederate
armies and the collection of a roster
OF the names Of every Confederate
soldier who enlisted in this state, has
issued lengthy appeal to the people
at large to contribute toward defray.
ing the necessary expenses to accom-
plish the work. The committee Is
without dollar of state or national
aid and il this duty Is to be performed
the money must be voluntarily con-
tributed by the people. The circular
says.
The executive committee has now
exhausted every reans possible to OBJ.
tain financial aid from both the state
and national governments and have
failed in procuring even the value of
a postage stamp for their six months
effort. But one more course is open
to them for the immediate beginning
Of this most important and patriotic
work. That is. an appeal to a gen.
erous public for contributions sufti.
cient to carry on the work until an
appropriation can be secured from the
next legislature, of which they feel
there Is no doubt. They hope for no
aid from the general government, fur.
ther than the printing Of the partial
records in the war department, at
some time in the future. now un.
known. This will be of much value
when done, but must necessarily fall
far short of what needs to be done to
procure complete roster Of our he.
roes Of '61-62, both in Confederate and
state service. 1t must be apparent
to every one that this will be long.
tedious and difficult work, and will
require much careful and painstaklng
labor, besides expenses now impossi.
BILE to estimate No time can now be
lost II we are to grasp and hold the
scant evidence now possible to obtain.
Every day removes some testimony
which 1t may be impossible to after.
ward procure. In only shorr time
all the active participants in the most
important and sanguinary epoch of
state history will have answered the
last call to earthly duty. Whilst their
memories can still respond to the be.
hests of history this testimony must
be secured. No other course is open
The preservation Of history is a public
,iuty, and this special history, tat
tered, torn and beggarly in its present
condition, appeals to every Impulse of
patriotism and good citizenship. The
duty left undone coming generations
will rise up and condemn, For these
reasons the executive board Of the
historical committee Of Arkansas Con-
federate Veterans makes this public
appeal Recent Investigations lead
us to believe that some records are
still to be found in the state capitol Ct
great value. The board therefore
asks that each camp Of Arkansas
Confederate Veterans at once false
sum, equal at least to 81 per mem.
Der, in the communities in which they
live, not by assessment, but by solicit
tation in their respective communi
ties. Few public spirited citizens will
hesitate to contribute one or more
dollars. The committee also asks that
the various chapters Of the Daughters
Of the Confederacy supplement .his
fund in any manner they may deem
expedient to adopt.
"The Sons Of Confederate Veterans,
who honor the memories Of their pa.
triotic and heroic progenitors, are
called upon to take n special and ac'
| tive interest in raising this fund to
an adequacy to carry on the work till
the state has had another chance to
do her glorious duty.
"To the general public the commit
tee appeals for help, without regard
to affection or aflilatIon The state
press, the great coadjutor and promot.
or Of every good and public duty, Is
urged TO disseminate this appeal, and
as many as will make special colloc.
| tIons for the cause and send to the
treasurer. Gen. James +. Smith OF
Littlo Rock has been elected treas.
urer Of the committee, and all con.
tributons should bo sent TO him.
"Col. s. Il. Nowlin, chairman Of the
state historical committee, has been
chosen manager Of the compilation
Of this roster for the state, and also
s,ato commissioner to cooperate with
tho United states war department,
All muster rolls and historical data
should be addressed to him at Little
-.