Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-23
SITE FOR MONUMENT 70 wvRz
SELECTION CAUSE OF DIssEN-
SION IN ORGANIZATION.
Members Of Georgia Division, United
Daughters Of the Copfederacy,
Reported at Odds.

SAVANNAH, Ga, February 23-Upon
the desire OF two. possibly three, Georgia
cities to furnish a site for the monument
to Capt Wirz, for whom 1t is claimed that
he lost his life in the defense of the Con-
federate president. Jefferson Davis, rests
the reason for the present fight among
the members Of the Georgia Division,
United Daughters Of the Confederacy
that has been caused by the monument
question
At the regular convention Of the division
In Savannah during the last week in Octo-
ber 1905. after the partisan fight of cities
had made it impossible for Andersonville,
where Captain Wirz's service in the civil
war has placed the center of the discus
sion his name has caused since the war
closed. to be selected for his monument
Savannah delegates led fight in favor of
Richmond, and by a very close vote the
old capital Of the 'Confederacy was select
ed. However. the Georgia cities that had
before wanted the monument kept after
IL, and now called meeting of the di-
vision VIII take up the question of re-
considering Its selection, and the monu-
ment may yet remain permanently on
Georgia soil.
Several Strong Centendsrs.
1t is very probable that those who
voted for Richmond will If Richmond is
put out of the running. fight for Ander-
sonville. though Americas. Macon and
possibly Atlanta will be strong con-
tenders. The called convention will be
held in Atlanta March IL, and the meet
ing promises to be the most exciting the
Georgia Division, L. D. c.. has known.
The question has caused a sharp division.
many claiming that a reconsideration Of
the divisions determination to place the
monument at Richmond Is now too late.
that advances have been made 10 Rich
mond that cannot be retracted.
The monument is in the stone yard at
Americus. where it was made. Dates
have been set for its shipment to Rich
mond. and it was thought at one time
that the shaft would be rushed out of
the state and accepted in Richmond as
one way 10 cut the gordon knot the
problem has tied. Against Andersonville
1t was urged that threats had been made.
by negroes especially. that the erection
be followed by rioting. and that the shaft
would in all probability be injured. pos
sibly destroyed. with grave trouble re-
sulting.
How the Delegates Stand.
The delegates who want the monument
for Georgia first. and their own cities
next, will join in the fight against Rich
mond. with part of Andersonville's adj
herents. Most Of the delegates from the
Savannah district will probably lead the
fight for the Virginia capital. That fail
ing. they will join for Andersonville. and
the prediction is made that the shaft will
finally be placed at Andersonville, il
claim il turned down.
Members of the division are looking
forward to the meeting in Atlanta with
the expectation OF bitter fight. The
monument question has stirred the di-
vision. and in fact the entire organization
as has no question stirred it in years.
The alternate praise and calumny heaped
upon Capt. Wirz and the efforts OF
he Daughters Of the Confederacy to show
heir belief in his high motives and his
Heath as a martyr urged them to erect |
4 monument in his honor The quarrel |
hat arose over a site has but augmented !
he feeling that has grown from the first |!
Of the Wirz agitation.