Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-20

the "serried ranks" Of these stones, each bear
ing the name and regiment Of gallant soldier
who gave his life for principle he thought
right, however history may have proved it
wrong. The ground inelines toward the north
facing the not far distant Bloody Angle"
where on another 18th Of May, 81 years before,
Grant flung the of Hancock;s Ind Corps
and units of the 9Th Corps against weak
salient In the Confederate lines and captured
it with many prisoners and artillery. Gen.
John b. Gordon led Confederate counter
attack, and after desperate fighting the Federals
were hurled back and most of the Confederate
line retaken.
The presentation Of the stones was made by
the Assistant Secretary of Var, Col Payne and
the closing words oE his dress might well be
engraved where fueure tors to Spotsy1vania
Court House can read them who dares say
that these heroes died In vain? They gave
themselves In heroic flame to weld the North
and the South. These stones are part of the
foundation of the United States, symbols Of
Valor and of reconciliation"
The symbolism Of memorials is loved by all
civilized peoples, and we of the United States
are not lacking In this respect. We are sim
raising monuments to the heroes of the Rev
olutton. Statues Of pioneers win for many
years to come be set up in the West where they
carved out civilization, and in the East the
proud birthplace of . Lewis or Clark glories
in recording the fact for all to see The history
y
living heritage Of inspiration of fortitude, Of
valor and courage
The Autumn of this year viii find parts of the
battlefield parks at both Petersburg and Pred.
ericksburg sufficiently completed to be thrown
open to the public. In another year or so all
the sites VIII be cleared and accessible, and
shafts Of granite and figures in marble win
begin to dot the green hillsides and valleys Of
the Old Dominion as the descendants Of those
who fought to preserve the Union and those who
sacrificed their an for the principle of States
rights build monuments to the memory Of
their heroic dead and come to stand side by
side to read the sculptured records reared on
these sacred spots.
The wide extent of the parking scheme win
permit the erection of a large number of monu-
ments, but the positions available ON definite
spots, such as where gallant charge was made,
particular post captured or a brave officer
fell win necessarily be limited The most
favorable positions win be obtained for those
monuments for which early arrangements are
made. Mrs. Carl Melchers wife of the famous
artist, represents the Ladies' Memorial Asso-
citation of Virginia in the work of contracting
the States from which came in large numbers
the soldiers who took part in the battles around
Fredericksburg, so that the home communities
of attachments conspicuous for valor may have
chance at the better sites.
Despite the inacceSsibility of the battlehelds.
some of them have already been marked. Most
Of these monuments commemorate Northern
officers or units, for there has been less money
in the South this past 10 years available for
such purposes.
FREDERICKSBURG is nearer Washington
than Gettysburg, which had its million vis-
itors last year. The points of similar historic
interest in Virginia may well become shrines
that draw an even greater number of pilgrims
Washington is the mecca of the American
tourist, and it is probable that a large per-
centage Of those who 90 10 Gettysburg are