The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-09

The city Of Frederick, Md, has almost com
pleted the erection ,of statue to Barbara
Fritchie, the woman, who. according to the
poem of John c. Whittier, Haunted a Union
flag in the faces Of Stonewall Jackson's com
mand when II marched through that town on
the way TO &ntietam ard who was saved from
being shot down by the Confederates only
through the interposition Of General, Jackson
himself. OF course. everybody knows the story
IS absolutely mythical without a shred of the
fabric Of truth. and none know 1t better than
these Frederick people. A protest went up
from all over the South when it was announced
about two years ago that the city proposed to
erect this monument but it proved unavafling
Frederick probably thought that 1t had nothing
else upon which TO build fame, nothing else
worthy Of a monument so it seized upon the
myth biological story of Barbara and the flag,
which Whittier afterwards confessed he had
been deceived into crediting
Dir. Henry f. Shepherd, in a communication
70 the Baltimore sun thus discusses the action
Of the Frederick people.
II confess to a sentiment Of personal regret
when I contemplate the attitude in which Fred
crick has been placed before the enlightened
univrse hY the tnvinctble folly and fanaticis1n
OF an element in her own society. When
mere lad IN my teens ! was wounded almost TO
10 Frederick. and assigned to "Barrack N In
the general hospital. For Ave months I was
disabled and narrowly escaped amputation
which, in the crude condition Of military sur
probability SAaye resulted in my death AT
Frederick received humane and kindly treat
fnent, even at the hands OF those who not
In sympathy with the cause Of the South l
retain grateful memory 81 those who minis
tered to my necessities: some of them abide
with US unto this present but many have en-
tered into rest I became attached TO both
place and people and have never ceased to
cherish sense of grateful appreciation toward
The historic city. You viii pardon me for In
Producing a personal episode; IL was designed
to illustrate and explain the feeling Of genuine
regret with which I contemplate the prospec-
tive and vindictivo spirit displayed toward the
South by part Of her population that has
assumed objective form and expression In
monument designed IL censecrate and idoza
a lie. Many If your readers will recall the IA
nous London monument which marks the
point at which the great and destructive fire
If 1856 originated. An inscription placed upon
H. and long since removed, most absurdv at
trhuted the fire to the agency of the Roman
Catholics. who had no more accurate knovl-
edge of its origin than stone7vau jackson had
/ 81 the life or personal appearance Of Barbara
Fr}tchle II was the gross and unprovoked i'm
putatton upon his fellow reNeionists which ellie
tied from Alexander Pope The typical poet Of
our Aueustan age. couplet that has been as
simulated tnto tho heart Of English speech:
A" When London's column pointed az the skies
Like tall bully lifts the head aud lies :"
1t really is TO be regretted that Frederick
people have shown themselves SO deaf to all
considerations which ordinarily move men and
women engaged in the work Of comm enlorating
+ historical events with monuments Thus DELHI
/ crdteiy TO seek 10 perpetuate a lie, knowing it
/ 10 be e he, IS a reflection upon the persons i'm
! 2lica ted.--Petershurg Irdex-Appea