Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-03-02
GOSHEN CAMP SITE
Militia to Vote on Selection of Rifle
Range

NdnSC
The Goshen Business Mems Lea
que has sent the following direct
appeal to every member of the mill
tia in Virginia:
The Governor of Virginia. Secre-
tary of the Commonwealth, Adjutant
General, Brigadier General and In
spector General were appointed a
board, by act of the Legislature, to
select site for permanent camp
and rifle range, where volunteer sol
diers OF the State might assemble in
July and August of each year to per-
feet themselves in camp life and
rifle practice.
Two years have been spent in
earnest but fruitless efforts to agree
upon the location. Noone can deny
that the selection Ct the right place
is as important as grave, as far
reaching a responsibility as this
administration will have to meet. 1t
affects the present and future volun-
teerS, for generations to come, in
ways than which none can be more
vital; it means their home for two
months of every twelve, or one sixth
OF their time. a wise. but honest
difference separates the members of
the board as to the proper place for
this range, some of the members
believe the sea-shore to be the best
and some the mountains, while
others have indicated that they
would like, before they vote upon a
site, to know the preferences and
wishes OF the men themselves, as to
whether they prefer the sea-shore or
the mountains. This latter position,
in a country whose basic principle is
the will of the majority, seems to be
too sound to be controverted.
The purpose of this circular is to
raise this issue. and keep it raised,
until every soldier in every company
in Virginia has expressed himself,
either for the sea-shore or the noun
tains, and then to bow to the will of
the majority. We favor, and urge
you to favor the location of this camp
and range in the mountains. where,
the people stand with outstretched
arms to welcome you. Two-thirds
of the Virginia soldiers are unac-
quainted with tidewater conditions
and climate, and to take them there
in camp life, the conditions of which
are not the most favorable to health,
must necessarily prove disastrous
That none OF the two thousand SOL
diers will return from summer
spent on the sea-shore as we'll as
they went there, we confidently as
sert and are certain we can main
tain. On the other hand, the
high altitude, pure air, pure water,
and cool nights of The Eternal
Hills will cure those who come to
us sick, and keep well those who
come well. The selection of this
site is important to taxpayers OF
Virginia, as thousands of dollars
will be spent annually in maintain
ing and pelfecting camp. And an
unfortunate choice may mean the
removal in the future, or a reluctance
TO go into camp, by the companies,
that will make it of little value. But
this view is of little consequence,
compared to the momentous ques-
ton of health, comfort and welfare
of over two thousand men, and their
families and friends. for all the years
to come.
The decision of this question is UP
to the soldiers of Virginia, and they
must speak, and speak now. They
can express their choice individu.
ally or as companies, and make
known to the Governor of Virginia or
any member of the board what their
wishes are. They want to know
YOUR preference. You are the men
behind the guns and you are the
men to say whether you prefer tc
sleep under a blanket in August OF
/ whether you will sleep with the mos
quitos and malaria, On the sea level.
We very respectfully submit the
above to the militia of the State O