The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-11-16
FAMOUS SARATOGA battlefield
A NEGLECTED. AMERICAN SHRINE
Bill in Congress Proposes to Provide for Compilation and Pres
evation Of Data Showing Positions and Movements Of
Troops-DecisNe Campaign Of Revolution-Literary
and Historic Classic.

present day there has been more
stenographically reported converse
ton, more stenographically reported
speechmaking. more official printing
on the subject Of cleaning, caring for
and guarding the battlefield Of Sara.
toga and the relics Of tile two fights
which thereon took place than there
has been on almost any other subiect
In the purview of American legislative
bodies, great and small not even ex-
cepting the tariff. Yet futility has
marked every official preservative eff
fort, says David q. Baillie in the New
York Herald. Why should not the
world famous battlefield be attended
to in behalf of the American public
present and future, in decent and
patrOtically instructive manner?
Again is the question being asked by
| the Sons and the Daughters of the
American Revolution, the American
Scenic and Historic Preservation So
ciety and other patriotic organizations,
and it is believed that when the pub
| lie realizes that the probable and most
| easily discernble obstacle to a park
program is the necessity for expendi-
ture Of comparatively small amount
Of money this obstacle will be over
come without much treble. There are
many thousands OF citizens who could
finance the Saratoga preservation
project without anybOdy's help, and
by popular subscription the needed
amount could and would be raised
with ease. The American Scenic and
Historic Preservation society would
be the logical disburser of the cash
for expenses; preferably acting in
consultation with other representative
organizations. Establishment thus Of
/ responsible Saratoga battlefield me-
MORALS conference would meet with
public favor and would end condi-
ton which, if the public were aware
Of it. would be recognized as a public
and national disgrace Such IL confer
nnce might also with advantage take
over or have u share in care for the !
Saratoga monument ut Schuylervile. |
Turning Point in Conflict.
Beyond reasonable doubt every +
reader is familiar with the fact that !
the Saratoga campaign eliminated In |
one of the worlds decisive battles,
which was followed by the surrender
of Burgoyne's army and by the par
licipation Of France in the Revolu-
tionary conflict.
The term Saratoga includes two
fights and the Burgoyne equalization.
In spite of the moInentous Importance
to the nation of these events, without
which, indeed. there might not have
been any independent American ma
ton. Saratoga has from the first Jared
badly al the hands of politicians. They
have blocked all attempts to provide
public money for even the most
purposes, cleanliness for
are standing now in the way
# a proposed survey, absolutely
necessary if Il park program is to be
n.aged in, absolutely necessary for
historical continuity purposes and
absolutely necessary If this Republic
$ To demonstrate what the Declara-
ion of Independence calls "a decent
aspect to the opinions of mankind"
1t is not believed that In all the
civilized world there may be found {
mother instance or example of ,
ation'S neglect of national shrine ,
which may be compared for tagrancy &
With American neglect of Saratoga 6
ED, which might be and should be 4
lade one of the nations greatest and s
est known resorts, the yearly scene I
the biggest and best attended indie {
Evidence Day celebration held under {
he Stars and Stripes n
Recent investigation by an examin- |,
lg party Of which the writer was a I b
ember has been followed by another b
FIRING up of the Saratoga subject t,
nd, according to latest available re- 81
able information, the Saratoga pres e,
walton bill, introduced by Senator /,
alder in the United States senate on IL
ugust 8, 1921, read twice and re- f
rred to the Committee on Military s.
fairs, still has a chance for Its life. to
Is not dead, but sleeping.
1t is the latest Of long train of of
ldeavors, pursuing invariably the al
me object, which have come to re
ught during the years that have O,
ipsed since the well known British &C
'ayist and dramatist Jack Burgoyne bu
med one of his regulations while B,
lying military general In America. th
To Survey Battlefield. M
The bill now pending proposes to Tc
Ike survey of the Saratoga bat WE
field and 70 provide for compilation by
1 preservation Of data showing the hi
'ious positions and movements of tn
ops, illustrated by diagrams. 1t is | tie
long, and advantageously may be tie
tied in full. tie
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and
use of Representatives Of the United aw
ties Of America in congress as fro
lbled. That the sum of $4,000. or nov
much thereof as may be neces- UNI
y is hereby appropriated out Of ing
money in the treasury not other Of
q appropriated. to make survey cid
the Saratoga battlefield; also to the
vide for the compilation of all tin;
inIp data uSpd in locntinU tho | VIII