Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-16
A PLEA FOR THE
MEMORIAL TREES
Justice Harlan Says "Spare
Crittenden Oak"
CHANGE SITE OF STATUE
Ak of Vandals Would Outrage Pub
lie Sentiment.
CALL OFF THE CHOPPERS
Supreme Court Judge Protests
Against Dissertation of Botanic
Garden-Will See President.
CALL OFF THE CHOPPERS

From the Washington Post. Sunday, October 10.
Justice John NJ. Harlan of the United
States Supreme Court is unalterably OPP
posed to the plan of the Grant memorial
commission to cut down the Crittenden
peace tree and many other trees of his
toric value in the Botanic Garden to make
a site for the Grant memorial.
Justice Harlan asserts that no reason
exists for the desecra ton about to be per-
petrated by the commission in the destruc-
ton of the stately trees, some of which
have stood for century. The venerable
jurist says that when President Roose-
welt returns to Washington he Will direct
his attention to the matter and solicit his
Intervention.
OF the famous Crittenden peace tree
and the man who planted it, Justice Har-
Ian spoke yesterday at length:
'Of course. the Crittenden peace tree
ought to be preserved. There is no nec6s-
sty for it's destruction. The Grant mon
ument need not be placed precisely where
1t is proposed to place it. By slight
change of plan the peace tree can be pre-
served.
There is a sentiment connected with
this tree which ought not to be outraged
1t recalls the efforts of patriotic men to
stay the ravages of civil war and bring
peace to many sections of our country.
1t particularly recalls the efforts of a
great statesman, who labored INCREASINGLY
for the preservation of the Union, and
after war came and ceased. pleaded for
the restoration of peace and brotherly
love. | ailude to John j. Crittenden.
senator from Kentucky. one of the Hottest
as well as ablest men that ever occupied
public station in our country"
Friend of Crittenden.
did you know Mr.. Crittenden?" the
justice was asked.
Yes" said he. II knew him as well as
young man could know one who was
much older. He and my father were mem
bers of the bar together, and lived for
more than thirty years prior to his death
in the same city. the capital of Ken
lucky. Our families lived on the same
square in that city and were on terms of
intimacy. He always called me one of his
boys and | had great affection for him.
Il knew all the members of his imme-
date family. His eldest son was George
b. Crittenden, who was a major general in
the Confederate service, and commanded
the Confederate forces at the battle of
Mill Springs, In Kentucky, the first vic
tory of any consequence won by the Union
troops after the civil war opened. An
other son was Thomas l.. Crittenden, who
was major general in the Union army,
participating with gallantry and distinc
ton in the battles of Stone River and
Chattanooga. His John, a young
man of promise. was killed In the Custer
massacre. Mr.. Crittenden had three other
sons. Robert H.. Eugene w. Gin the regu-
lar army and John Jordan The two
last-named men were my schoolmates
"One daughter married Chapman Cole
man, a leading merchant of Louisville
She was a woman of unusual ability.
Another daughter married Rev. John c.
Young. who was for many years presi-
dent of Center College. Kentucky, and a
was a student at that college from 1S4S
to 1850. Among the kin of Senator Crit
tenden are Rear Admiral John G. Wat
son, grandson. and a distinguished re-
tired officer of the navy, who served with
Farragut; also, ex-Gov. Crittenden of
Missouri. nephew. and rare man In
every way'