The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-07
AN ANSWER TO
A "MAS0N"
Letter From Or. Charles |.
Minor.
SAYS CEMETERY WILL Be CARED FOR

To The Free Lance:
My attention has been called TO
letter in your issue OF February
cath signed "A Mason" which
shows such animus and does such
manifest injustice to those whose
only fault was reverence for their
ancestors. that would beg space
in your columns to reply to II.
Hiding, as your correspondent
does. behind nom de plume.
cannot know who It is that makes
such an unrestrained attack. but
knowing Fredericksburg we'll and
admiring its citizenship. cannot be-
lieve that the author OF such let
ter is one whose opinion would ear
~ much weight with your people
had he cared to sign his name to-
his letter.
If those of us who. after Miss
Conway had aroused us by her eX-
cellent letter to realization that
the resting place OF our ancestors
was to become the site of a club
house. have not sooner taken "A
Mason" into their confidence and
discussed with him their plans, the
unreasonable bitterness of his at
tack certainly justifies us. but our
delay has not been due. as he as
sumes. to Indifference. but to the
fact of the serious and regretable
sickness OF Judge Grinnan. were II
not for which, we would before TINS
have restored this cemetery which
is so closely associated with the
proud past Of old Fredericksburg
10 its former condition. As II Is,
steps are now being taken in this
direction and 1t will not be very
long. | hope. before the Fredericks-
burglar. who is proud OF his town 5
history. will see the Masonic grave
yard properly cared for and become
an ornament rather than an eye
sore.
Though your correspondent ae-
cuses us of grossly neglecting the
graves of our ancestors and OF nav
ing posed before the public as OPP
ponents OF sacrilege. yet having al
ready forgotten these graves. |
scarcely believe any of your citi-
zens whose opinions are of value
could suspect us OF such motives or
such forgetfulness.
Speaking for myself. / have III
my visits TO the home Of my ances-
tors always regretted the condition
in which / found this graveyard,
and though | supposed 1t was In
charge OF the Masons and 1t was not
in my power 10 do anything about
it. have yet at least kept the
tomb there OF my grandparents from
decay. and was delighted when
through Miss COnway's work, Judge
Grinnan took steps TO protect the
last resting place OF your former
citizens from what we very rightly
consider dissertation.
Your correspondent now informs
us that the Lodge never bound II
self legally or morally 10 keep
these graves in repair and that this
obligation was on the descendants
of those buried there.
am glad indeed 20 have this eX-
PLANTATION. for it justifies TO me what
| had always supposed 10 be the
objectionable neglect by the Ma
sons of this graveyard. and as an ad
mirer OF old Fredericksburg ana
her citizens. and Of George Washing
ton S own lodge. am glad indeed 10
know that her Masons are not to
blame in this matter.
II then. through a misunderstood
fna the graveyard has fallen into
disrepair. now that we understand
the facts. we shall certainly correct
this. so that this cemetery, which
is so closely associated with the past
of your town. shall no longer look
neglected and forlorn.
Finally, am sure most OF your
readers will agree with me that the
terms "meddlesome. "officious
and "insincere" applied by one pro
tected behind a mask OF anonymity
10 those who sought only to preserve
their ancestors tombs from becom-
ing annex to club house are
scarcely deserved so that while they
may make us indignant their map
propriateness deprives them OF any
sting. though they show the anlmus
OF your correspondent. which. how
ever. am very sure does not rep
resent the point of view OF the
leading Masons OF your city.
Hoping that your citizens will be
little patient with us while we
perfect our plans to keep this cem-
etery in proper condition. and trust
ing that few OF them share the
feelings so bitterly expressed by
your correspondent. / am,
Very sincerely yours
Chas l.. Minor.