Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-25
Monday, September Is, 1905
The Andre Monument.

memory of Major John Andre, the
British spy, over which there las been
much controversy and which over
Jealous patriots have several times
attempted to destroy, has just passed
into the hands of the American Seen
ic and Historic Preservation society.
with sufficient land about it to con-
vert the site into public park. After
Andre had been executed as a spy in
1850 by order of General Washington
his remains were buried beneath the
scSfold. Here they remained until
August 10, 1921, when they were dis
Inferred under British auspices and
carried to England, where they now lie
III a superb sarcophagus in Westmin-
stcr Abbey. In 1879 Dean Stanley was OH
a visit to Cyrus w. Field at Tarry-
town. and the talk turned to Andre.
Field said that IL the dean would write
the inscription he would buy the
ground where Andre had been execu-
tod and buried and erect a monument
uIon IL. Dean Stanley wrote a fitting
inscription and subsequently, Field
erected q monument bearing these
lines:
Here died. October >. 1850. Major
.Iuhn Andre Of the British Army. who
entering the American lines on Il Sc
'r"t mission to Benedict Arnold for the
surrender of West Point. was taken
prisoner. tried. and condemned as
Fpy. His death though according to
the stern code Of war. moved even his
enemies to pity: and both armies
nuurncd the tate of one SO young and
80 brave. Ia 1921 his remains were
removed tn Westminster Abbey.
\ hundred years after the execution
this Stone was placed above the spot
Wh"r" u" lay, by citizen of the
l'nii'd States. against which h.
fought. not to perpetuate the record Of
iirif". hut IN token OF those better
feelings which have since united two
n1ti"us. one IN race. in language. and
In religion in the hope that the friend
" understanding will never be broken
ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY.
Dean of Westminster
u" Was nor" unfortunate than
criminal"
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
SUM lt,hrym,r r"rum et mentcm
ir"rt'iia truEunt. AEn"id. Book I.
line -.
Nugl"phubg, fanatics made two III :
t'inrtt a. destroy "a" monument with
.xrl"s.vcs when Field died ana his
estate Was divided the heir lost track
- Ia" ,litlr bit Of property in which
IA, monument stands. Taxes accum-
ulairL ana The monument with the
small plot 81 surrounding land.
was finally purchased in 1895
~ George Dickcy OF New York
tn" American Sc"ric and His
t"ric reservation Society secured
nu option ON tn" monument and prop
.Ity from Mi. Dickcy. and have raised
th" necessary funds by private sub
E'ripti"n. \ circular plot. 100 feet in
diameter. will bc bought Including the
monument and its area of fifty feet.
Tn" landmark and park will he kept
i"r public inspection and use.
Th" society gives good reasons why
1t decided that the Andre monument
should Toe removed from the vicissi-
tubes "f private ownership and prop
,rly cared for.
First. It says. the occupation of the
military sly. during a state of actua!
war. is not IN itself morally disgrace
ful ON tn" contrary. in view Of the
extra hazard involved. it requires a
high 'rhcr Of courage which com
tnInds admiration. The preservation
"f ~. monument would be 4 tribute
first ~ 4 brave soldier and cultured
gentleman. whose death was as deeply
Iamcnt.d by Washington ana his fell
lew Americans Us by its own com
rddcs in arms.
Second. II you'd serve rs an express
zion u d"testation Of the double per-
f'iy Of Arnold. who not only attempted
I" betiay West Point but actually did
h"tIay Andre. with whom he broke
idith by falling 10 deliver him back on
ia" Nulture, and by drawing him with
~ In" American lines. under disguise
contrary TO his wish and understand
Ing.