The National tribune., 1903-07-02
MONUMENTS AT ANDERSONVILLE.
Strong Plea by Junior Vice Commander.
in-Chief Averill

| lie
Strong Plea by Junior Vice Commander.
| in-Chief Averill.
| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: 1t is fact
generally known that the National w r.
IC. has secured the title TO the land on
which the Andersonville Prison was To-
teatcd, including the Confederate earth
works around it-nearly 80 acres in all.
| Within the past seven years they have ex-
pended several thousand dollars in pro-
tecting and improving it, including over
two miles of substantial boundary fence,
4 nine-rOom residence, etc. AS long as this
patriotic organization exists the property
will be properly cared for through the
agency of n resident care-taker or superin-
tendent. The prison and cemetery. where
many of the PRISONS victims are buried,
are separated by a strip of land less than
| one-eighth of Il mile wide, through which
it will be an easy matter to secure 100
foot roadway, thus conveniently connect
ing the two.
| When the National w. II. c., with much
hesitancy. in August, 1896, accepted from
the Department of Georgia, G.. \. r., the
deeds to -AndersOnville Prison grounds and
the responsibility of its preservation and
Improvement, they received tie hearty
thanks and most enthusiastic applause of
the members of the G.. A. X. National En-
campment, then assembled at st. Paul,
MINI. 1t was after due deliberation that
they sclemnly accepted the trust, fully
realizing the great responsibility and ardu-
Gus labOrs which it entailed. How well
this trust has been fulfilled is in evidence.
All that they have asked in return is hon.
est sympathy in their work from all par
ties interested
Among other magnificent plans, many Of
which have already been carried out in the
most satisfactory manner, is the erection
of State monuments on the old stOckads
IL. ~
lportion of the grounds has been laid out
with view to deciding to each State which
was represented among the heroes who
suffered there lot of ample size, at
nominal cost. The completed plan con-
templates, in the near future, the erection
Eof n magnificent National monument as
the prominent central figure, with the sew
eral State monuments grouped about it.
This plan. thus far, has proved but a par
tial success, for the simple reason that the
conditions have not been fully understood.
The object of this communication is that
there may hereafter be no mistake made
by reason of misapprehension.
Massachusetts, Ohio and Rhode Island
have erected their monuments within the
stockade grounds, thus contributing to the
grand plan so earnestly advocated by the
patriotic women who have the matter in
charge. Two other States (New Jersey
and Pennsylvania have erected their
monuments within the cemetery, the form
er having done so prior to the date when
the plan for their erection on the stock
ade ground was adopted.
The reasons why these monuments
should be located upon the stockade
grounds may be briefly summarized as
follows:
First-Those who suffered and lived are
entitled to equal honor with those who
were relieved by death while imprisoned.
The monument should be dedicated not
only to those who rest in the cemetery,
but to the hundreds who soon died after
being released; to hundreds whose remains
We're removed by kindred and friends
after the war; TO an unknown number
whose remains still lie buried in the stock
ade grounds where they died; to those
who endured for years and now rest in
their home cemeteries, and to those who
still survive, but who, in the natural
course of events, will soon answer to the
last roll call.
SecOnd-The stockade ground is a much
more imposing site than the cemetery, be-
ing in full view of passing railroad trains.
Third-A much larger lot can be ap-
prOpriated on the stockade grounds, leav-
ing space for Ornamentation. In fact,
there is not sufficient space within the
cemetery, and if it should be utilized for
; this purpose by the National Government
and all of the States interested, the gen.
and unartistic.
Notwithstanding is certainly due the
Board of Managers of the AndersOnville
property. who have SO faithfully labored
and so judiciously planned to render the
; final consummation fitting tribute to the
grandeSt band of heroes in the worlds his
; tory.
The only argument against the carrying
out of the admirable plan of the Board
that has, to our knowledge, been offered,
, is:
Why should States erect monuments to
their heroes at Andersonville rather than
at other Southern prisons?
The answer is:
First-It is the most important tragic
, and historic of them all, and therefore a
fit representative of the sacred ground
where the Nations defenders deliberately
chose Death before dishOnor."
Second-The title to the property is Sc
cured and all of the landmarks. including
, providence Spring, are preserved: the
, grounds are ample for the purpose and the
natural conditions are perfect for adorning
and beautifying.
The only argument which has been of
+ fered in preference for the cemetery as
Il site for State monuments is that it is
owned by the National Government. and
will be perpetually cared for, while per-
haps the stockade grounds will not.
There is not a member of the G.. 4. r.
who will not bank upon the pledge of the
National w. X. c. made in accepting the
trust for the preservation, adornment and
perpetuation of the Andersonvie Prison
grounds 'as monument to those who
I suffered there" The Board of Managers
may be depended upon to continue on the
: same line of remarkable good judgment
and success that has thus far character
lied them and arrange for the perpetual
, care.
Maine, Michigan and other States are
soon to add to the galaxy of monuments
at Andersonville. Before their locations
, are definitely decided upon the points
, herein briefly set forth will. no doubt, be
carefully considered.-JAMEs p. AvERILL,
JuniorVice ] Commauder-in-Ch Chief G. A. r.,
Atlanta, Ga.
Bayard's Courier.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: What has