Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-11-28
AIfxanSria Gazftfe.
PROPOSED LEE AND GRANT
MONUMENTS.
Entered ct the Postomce Of Alexandria, Vir
ainis, as Bscond-class matter.I
WAR MONUMENTS IN GENERAL AND

WAR MONUMENTS IN GENERAL ANI
PARTICULARLY IN WASHINGTON.
To the Editor Of TIE Alexandra Gazette.
L, hss been rtcsntly proposed t, erect
on the Spottsylvanis battlefield join:
monument to Lee aud G ant aud expres-
sou tfopInioD on the subj ct from Con
feder ate Eeltrans has been invited. Fo'
one, | say no. Snch memorials srs not
wholly unprecedented, a'sppears from
that Of Wolfe and Monicalm at Quebec,
eret ted protably more than century
after the immortal battle in which both
fell but that was no donbt inspired by
the fact that they died together. There
is no more reason Why Grant and Lee,
If commemorsted at all together, shonld
be 60 at Spoltsylvania more than any
where else, and the Idea of joint COM
memoration Is positively Objectionable.
It would be virtual concession tbat
these two eminent men we're equally
conscientious, equally deserving and
equally ilIustrions and this ], for one,
am far from being willing to allow. j
have, in fact, no Inclination to unite
directly or indirectly in building monu-
ments to our late foe and assuredly they
do not need our assistance.
This brings up the whole subject OF
memorials of those who fell 10 the war
between the states. Have ss many OF
them as you plssse but have them only
on their Owu ground. We, OF the South,
have neither room nor welcome Tor
statues OF men who did all they could,
less tbsu half century ago, for onr de-
structioD, and the less W. are remind, d
of them the better. We risk nothiDg 10
ssyiug that our lsts foes feel the same
way in regard 10 any statue Of Confed'
crate soldier on their soiI at least they
ought to do so. The field Of Gettys-
burg now, as many of your readers are
q 7sre, has an array Of memorials OF men
Who fell there on the porthtrn side
which fer beauty, TASTE aad dignity
compels the sdmi ion Of all. viewed
them some years ago 6ith profound TO-
terest aud vaI grst6ed TO see no such
reminder Of single Confederate. They
have no proper pare there where they
could excits, if not positive snimosity,
no kinder feeling tran tolerstion; and
for myself l do not give even
that to similar federal monuments on
our soil.
la this connection the pa ling In The
natioral capital of memorials to men
on either size for services
10 our great conflict, tal always s?.
peared 10 me a. least moDstrous i'm
propriety. Warrington ia the capital
OF our common country and monuments
OF men, whose only claim to be remember
ed is Their services In civil conflict, must
necessarily be (fsnsive to those OF the
ether side and directly hostile to the
restoration Of good feeling between the
sections. So far, | sm thankful to say
no Confederate htr) is thus commemo.
rated there, aud | trust none ever will
be. The most elaborate and beautiful
monument ia the city is ttai In honor
of the one Federal soldier whose c6nduc'
Justly rendered him the most hateful Of
all men to the S ,uth. The addition
during the present week Of like tribute
TO the ma who. 10 Virginia, a, leatt,
vas EQUALLY detested, does not mend
matters. 1t is idle for oar 'ate enemies
10 talk about "bridgipg the bl-oiy
cha 'm" and restoring good feeling while
they continue to offer to the South such
insults ss the erection in Washington OF
sa.ues to Sherman and Shfrdsn.
L. NJ. BLACRFORD,
Late A@jatsut, 24Ih Va. IOfsrfry,
Pickett's Division.
Fairfax Co., Va, Nov. 27, 1908.