Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1925-07-02
AN OPPORTUNITY AND
OBLIGATION

To Georgia comes the distinction OF furnish
iug the master monolith, the eighth wonder
Of the world Stone Mountain, and on the rug
qs1 face of this mountain is being carved the
\, eatest memorial of all time. The nation APP
plauds as the South pays enduring tribute to
it's heroes. and worldwide interest centers in
the completion of the task to which the illus
trious Lukeman has set his hand.
A campaign is now in progress for the sale
of Stone Mountain Memorial half dollars, the
pf oceeds from which go to carrying on this
y, eat work In some sections the sale has been
r. ost gratifying and The Tribune IS sure that
'! at stae will finally exceed its quota and rally
with its native warmth and enthusiasm to the
cynsumation of this mortal idea. the greatest
Of it's kind ever conceived by man
1t is almost inconceivable that sixty years
after the Wat Between the States the Federal
Government would agree to mint a coin as "A
Memorial to the valor of the Soldier OF the
South" but in doing 80 it has removed every
trace of sectional bitterness, ackn> wedged its
admiration for the Confederate soldier, and
participated in an mperishable testimonial to
the Confederate cause.
The fact that the bill authorizing the coin
age was introduced in Congress by Northern
MEMBERS during Republican administrator,
vas passed without word of objection or
dissenting vote, and then approved by New
american history and is the most gracious TIL
butte that the people Of the North could pay
me South.
The Stone Mountain half dollar is the only
| ne ever minted by the United States in honor
If any American army, and it was issued IN
s CopfoHora1Q winch was
,,ce at war with the United States. From the
etondnoint of the value it is placed on par
it'll gold and is one of the few coins issued
70 commemorate heroism and valor, rather
fam some purely material event. Ii bears on
il face the maj estic figures OF Robert T.. Lee
and StonewaH Jackson on horseback and 1t
carries with it a sentiment that shoulo appeal
+, every loyal son and daughter q the South.
Do we of Georgia fully appreciate the SUI
,.cndous tribute paid the South by the federal
Government through its participation IN the
movement to honor our heroic sons! Are we
cvgnizant of the fact that the eyes OF the ma
ton are upon us and the Stone Mountain
Memorial and that all our boosted chlvary
= Guild appear as mockery were we to fail IN
he completion of this owing task?
We burst into applause when the oand
riavs Dixie" and we bare our heads at the
passing of the thin gray line our souls are
Tired bv the eloquence of the Memorial Day
,ator and our eyes grow moist as ne pays
/, ibute to Lee and Jackson and the gallant
.oldiers of that time
Let's prove to the living hero"c that our
;.evotion is genuine that our sentiments are
IS lofty as Stone Mountain, that our appre-
r,ation of their valor is illimitabe and an
lying.
Let's make a practical demonstration OF our
love and gratitude by contributing to TINS
uagnificent memorial which will stand Tor
Countless ages as an expression OF ideals and
sentiment which are sacred to the South.
To do less-to fail in support ~ the stone
Mountain Memorial and the Sale i the Mem
,rial coins-would be to discredit the sentl-
7,ents we have always bOasted, brand our
selves with the stigma of ingratitude, and IN
ute the charge of Interpretation oil the epoch
a; act of goodwill and magnanimity that the
> -. oyernment of the United States has confer
red.
| The Tribune trusts that every citizen and
atriotic organization will get in behind this
memorial coin sale with vim and determlna-
lion which will soon carry it owe" the top
The Walton Tribune.