Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-10-25
UNVEIL WAR SHAFT
AT ANDERSONV|LLE,
GOVERNOR AND PARTY PARTICI-
PATE IN CEREMONY ON SITE
OF CONFEDERATE PRISON.
WARM TRIBUTE BY DAVIDSON,
Executive Lauds Memory of Northern
Soldiers Who Gave Up Lives for
Country in Pens of South.

ANDERSONVILLE, Ca, Oct. ~
Especial AT the dedication this after
noon of the Wisconsin S11 900 monu-
ment on the site of the old prison pen
where 10000 Union soldiers died from
disease and starvation during the Civil
war, Gov. Davidson of Wisconsin de-
clared that 'the war was as necessary
as it was inevitable"
This is construed here that the gov
ernor virtually takes issue with Dr. VI
rich B. Phillips of Georgia, now connect
ed with the state university of Wiscon-
sin, who it is understood is writing a
book to prove that without war eco
monte conditions would have solved the
slavery problem.
In presenting the monument designed
by Architect a. Fink of Milwaukee to
the National Womens Relief corps, the
governor declared War is indeed a cruel
legislator. In its name are committed
deeds which cause reason to stagger and
civilization to recoil upon itself"
Address of Governor.
-AIlSI IlC CGllOld pI IldI Dteu accepted
by the national organization, Col. Levi
Il. Bancroft of Richland Center delivered
long historical address lauding the
bravery of the Union soldiers Gov. Da-
wilson said in his address:
Wisconsin bends it's head in sorrow today.
| the recolleCtions of the history here en-
acted, which occasions our presence with
you, has enShrOuded our minds with sad
ness mingled with silent admiration. Stand
ing upon the site of the famous Anderson
Vile prisOn-sacred ground to all America,
| l give voice to the states deepest con
seriousness of the sacrifices, the endurance
and the patriotic devotion of her soldier
prisoners to principles to which they had
/ dedicated their lives.
! War is indeed a cruel legislator. In its
name are committed deeds which cause
reason - stagger and civilization to recoil
upon itself.
The war was as necessary as it was in
| eYitable. For generations suspicion, jeal-
ousy and sectona! envy had aroused those
| IN whose Smoldering embers would be re-
| awakened the spirit of unity and fraternity
essential to the broadcast national existence.
Courage of the South.
The courage, the cOnstancy and endurance
of the southern soldier was never surpassed
The pluck, the patriotism and the persist,
! ence OF the northern volunteer was never
excelled.
The Civil war taught tire world the value
! of American men. 1t produced new type
! the citizen soldier. Every soldier of those
! trying times gained for himself immortal
| honor In the consciousness of q duty well
performed. To die on the field o. battle
in the heat of the conflict, conscious of the
/ victory of his arms, has always been the
wish of the soldier.
The Soldier in Prison.
Turn now to the soldier who languished
behind the prison bars. Hunger, thirst and
disease claimed him for their own. The
free open air was often denied him. Ills
patriotic signs and prayers re-echoed from
/ walls. lbs
of his heart found no sympathy. There were
no loving and tender hands to minister to
! hopes, and what wishes must have fitted
through his feverish BRAIN what happy
hours his imagination must have pictured;
and yet / doubt not his heart was free
from anguish and bitterness.
HIS death was q martyrdom, as lofty in
soul, as trying in courage and as grand
and holy, in patriotic virtue as was ever
attested by death for principle.
Monument Is Sacred.
The monument which we dedicate here to-
day is sacred to the memory of the mill
tary prisoner. 1t rests upon q spot which
will never be forgotten as long as history
Is recorded. Wisconsin offers it to the
south, untinged with malignity and bitter
ness. 1t is with pleasure that 1 receive this
which supervised its erection and it Is
with equal pleasure that L give 1t into the
Watchful care and keeping of that mag
corps. This product of the Sculptor'S art
is a tribute to those who died here for
their country. No future age can have
greater dead than these; no graves can hold
holier dust than these. In this hallOWed
ground are buried with them the passions
of war, and all the jealous strife of sec
lions. Today we know, only the spirit of
unity and the fraternity Of love and re-
spect. We behold a union firmly estab-
lished in the hearts, affections and loyalty
of the citizenso We pay equal military
honors to him who wore the gray as are
showered upon the wearer of the blue.
III
Madison, are buried the remains of 49,
sturdy brave sons who fought for the south
They died in a military prison In that city. |
Each grave bears the name and regiment of
him who rests there. No Memorial day
passes but a childs gentle hand, assisted |
by the veterans who wore the blue, places
a flag and a wreath of flowers upon each |
of the many hundreds of soldiers graves in
that cemetery. The distinction of uniform
reunited country Ihey fought and died
for convictions, which they cherished They |
were all American citizens.
Example for Living.
This monument is not only for the dead:
it is for the living we'll 1t is a tribute |
to the dead, an inspiration to the living. !
1t speaks a sentiment which language is too |
limited to express. If inspiration can come |
from association, If determination comes |
from example, if virtue loyalty and right |
eOuSness are capable of awakening, then |
where in history is there an occasion wnIcn |
will so arouse the love of principle the ODE
dience to law, the charity, generosity ana |
inspiring patriotism of American citizen |
ship, as here, where over thirteen thousand |
men died Of disease and exposure that q |
noble cause might live.
The actions of the elements will destroy |
this monument, time may efface all physical |
traces of this place, but the impressions or
mans noble deeds, cast in the hearts of a |
grateful people, will, with the advancing |
march of civilization, grow into an even |
broader and deeper appreciation of the |
character Of the American soldier.
Monument Ejohth Erected
The Andersonville monument is the |
eighth to be erected by different states |
of the union on the site of this battle |
field. 1t is built of granite, is ffty-four |
feet long and thirtyfve feet high and |
is surmounted by an eagle, with wings |
spread, it being over seven feet from |
tip to tip of the wings. On either side |
of the monument is the coat of arms |
of the state and motto, Let Us Have |
Peace"
D. G. James of Richland Center, who |
turned the monument over to Gov. Dav-
idson is one of the Union soldiers who |
was confined to AndersOnvlle for over
FIVE months. During the one year that |
the old prison was used, 12SS3 soldiers
died, including 37S Wisconsin men.
The official party from Wisconsin will
visit the Tuskegee institute on invita-
ton Of Booker Z. Washington tomorrow
and expect to return to Madison about |
next Wednesday.
WIN "POMPADOUR" STRIKE.
Pittsburp Clerks Will Continue to Wear /