The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-02-15
ANOTHER PROTEST
(Communicated.)

To The Free Lance.
An observant reader of our daily
papers must have been struck by two
ems which appeared in the same
.olumn of The Daily Star Of February
/ Sth-one, an order from the Washing
| ton Masonic Memorial Association piv-
ing notice for the removal Of graves in
! the old cemetery to make way for the
contemplated Masonic Temple: the
other, tender and intelligent plea for
the preservation of the sanctity of the
hallOwed spot where rests the dust Of
many who bore in the past names that
were honOred not only in our city but
throughout our State The appearance
of these two items. in such close prox-
unity, but of such contrasting spirit,
moved me to express something of the
feeling aroused by the thought
OF the ruthless invasion Of this
consecrated spot. This writer has no
connection with the Masonic Order. and
consequently no honOred ancestors living
IN this cemetery, but is writing merely
as citizen of Fredericksburg and "A
lover of right and justice.
II has been said that by putting up
this Masonic Temple we will be improy-
ing the town and adding to the value of
property. Granting tins. why disturb
the cemetery? Cannot some spot be
found for the proposed Improvement
without disturbing and in some degree
destroying "A remnant of the past which
II Is impossible TO replace? The issue in
this case, after all, resolves itself 10 a
question df ideals, and we must ask
ourselves whether we wish to keep the
individuality and retain the historic at
mosphere Of fredericksburg or whether
our ann is to prune away and obliterate
one 10y one our various landmarks and
historic spots until we reach the drearv
monotony and up-to-date sameness OF
mlddle-western towns. Regarding our
selves and our city in the light OF the
opinion of others, do we wish the ap-
proval OF the commercial traveller, who
enjoys looking at a building the value
OF which can be estimate, in dollars
and cents, or shall we not regard more
highly the interest of people of culture
and intelligence, who pass by a modern
building with a glance, knowing that
they can see hundreds as handsome or
handsomer. but who viii linger with
pleasure over something of historic
value and signihcance2 This writer
remembers going often TO the old ceme-
terry with visitors to our city. people
of education and refinement, who spent
hours in examining the old monu-
ments, noting with interest the
names of families prominent in
the history of our State. One tomb
alone, that of Col. Lewis Littlepage
Confidential secretary and friend of
Stanislaus, King OF Poland, for its ac-
counts OF his adventurous life and his
connection with one of the most ro-
mantle incidents in modern history. has
been described and its inscription copied
again and again. Shall we surrender
treasures like these for a building that
might just as we'll be erected in anv
other part of the city? In other parts
OF our country, which pride themselves
on their culture and intelligence. such
historic memorials are carefully pre-
served. Rash indeed would be the
vandal, and little mercy would he get in
Boston, who would dare to suggest dis
turbing old Cops Hill burying ground.
In the centre of New York is Trinity
church, and all the roar of the city and
the rush of ''frenzied finance" in Wall
stree close by is powerless to touch
-&1xy's cemetery where the dead
slaS " DE as.s.s.>e resting on the
's'.Ss by Mr.. J. Me-. c;tv thar --.s~s. -
no ducts as hotefs;< ss.H- - ~.
Dov stro4 on CoTso taep by. '''
EPay hre idayr--sThis protest is not
-. S,,'{ loveNF-F-saf' city and interest in
NASs a uSSlEC Tor right and ms
tice also animate il. What right has a
committee composed of a few men to
decide what shall be done with a ceroe1
tery where the lots were owned nv ne
pie whose heirs or near relations 49,
elther IN the city or easily reached for
consultation? ioI
doubtless in the COMING ca,
turies our graves will be desecrated
ana the memorials raised bv Iov;ng
hanus and tender hearts will be invaded
and destroyed, but does this inevitabie
alsintegraton excuse those who. mere
~ 70 save the expense of purebasino,
another site. WOULD so trample on the
ba9ing bteg9iln,gs OF the nnee,,ng and invade the
narrowed peace of the dead? Shall NOT
we Vlrginians, who "yield TO none in
reverence for the past" and who are still |
known throughout this country for onr
courtesy and consideration to the liviney |
rise 10 protest against an action which |
at once mars place of historic vaIne
ana wounds the hearts of some of onr
oest and truest people?
NJ. V. Conway.
rreuericksburg, Va, Feb 10th, 1910. 1