The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-04-07
MONUMENT TO
BLUE AND GRAY
THIS WILL Sc ONE OF THE LIVE
QUESTIONS CONSIDERED AT
COMING REUNION or THE CON-
FEDERATE VETERANS.
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

% 41<~4<aA@ I ~ A<141 009A1As&aA
Chattanooga. Tenn, April s.--One Of
the live questions that will be consid.-
cred by the coming reunion Of the
United Confederate Veterans, and the
Sons Of Confederate Veterans. on May
z7-29 inclusive, will be that of building
here some kind of a memorial, dedicat-
ed to both the blue and the gray. The
question has been discussed period
icaIly for a number of years by survi-
vors OF both armies. and ii is the unan
inaous desire that some memorial
be erected.
One plan that has been generally
discussed is to build a memorial arch
at cost of 100000, dedicated to
American vaior, and to peace between
former foes. This plan has advocates
among both Union and Confederate
survivors. Another proposition is for
joint memorial hall. This has been
suggested by Capt j. r.. Shipp. quar-
termaster-gcneral Of the United Con-
fcderate Veterans Association. Dis
eussing his suggestion. Capt. Ship
says:
What I propose and believe Chat
tanoogans, United Confederate Vet
Grams and Onion Veterans should sfos-
ter, is a joint memorial hall, located in
Chattanooga, with a large room dedi-
Gated to the Union and another to the
Confedcracy. There should be in these
rooms, respectively. library and cola
lection of relics Identified with the
cause the room represents. It would
be easy to centralize here a large col
lection of relics, which in years to
come would be Of great value. These
relics ought to be preserved instead Of
being allowed to remain scattered and
gradually lost or destroyed.
In connection with this building
q part Of the building itself, mean
there should be a modern, up to- date
auditorium. the city of Chattanooga
joining with the government in erect
ing the building. The structure should
be flreproof. of proper design for both
memorial and auditorium purposes,
and OF frst-cl construction. 1t
should be located centrally. near the.
city hall and the federal building. for
instance, and stand as monument on
this historic grounG, dedicated to the
soldiers Of both armies and made avail
able for use by their survivors and
all organizations which shall in the
future perpetuate their memory.
I'VE are just now discussing the
question OF new auditorium, of which
the city Is sore1y in need, and the
of an auditorium and such
memorial as I have in mind seems
me q most happy and feasible plan.
TIE contents of this building. such as
weuld be collected in the rooms devoted
to the two armies, would make this
city all the more a Mecca for people
from all parts of the world.
ASIDE from the principal memorial
rooms that have referred to. there
should be smaller rooms provided for
the meetings and business headquar-
tiers of patriotic organizations, such
as the g. A. R., Woman's Auxiliary,
yVoman.s Relief Corps. United Confed-
crate Veterans. Daughters and Sons of
the Confederacy.
There are many lines, architecture
ally speaking. along which such
memorial building could be erected.
and combine 1t with the auditorium
feature. without careful thought or
expert opinion. 1t seems to me that
the auditorium should be on the second
floor. II this is not practicable. the
auditorium could take up the ground
fioor. with the memorial halls and or
sanitation rooms on say. the tier of
Ra1l@riam.''