Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 36.djvu/172

 From the News Leader, January 1, 1909.

'''THE LOCATION OF THE BATTLE ABBEY DECIDED.''' Mrs. Anne S. Green, of Culpeper, who has returned from Georgia, where she attended the United Daughters of the Confederacy convention, put before that body the following correspondence, showing how the movement to have the Confederate Battle Abbey placed in Virginia first took form, twelve years ago: Editor of the Times: The Battle Abbey of the Confederacy should be upon Virginia soil, not necessarily in Richmond, for want of space. God's acres of Confederate blood and bones, which lie under the soil along the Chickahominy, at Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, and innumerable other points, all speak eloquently for Virginia to be chosen—this State, where the seven days' fight in McClellan's "On to Richmond" occurred; where the flower of Southern chivalry made their pyres' of mortal remains, blood spilled then which has now become with the soil indigenous—the most fitting place to choose to make this Battle Abbey. No need to choose towns or cities, upon which to place this great corporation, which is to be the Mecca for future generations to reverentially journey to. Virginia has an inalienable right to be selected. Her appeal is the just, high, holy sentiment of patriotism, which must be invoked, before this decision can be righteously and justly made. The selection of this site should not be a matter of dollars and cents—of course, such will be needed to perform their legitimate functions at the proper time. But first, we should be careful to make the proper selection, from the right motives, and then we can the better invite and invoke aid from those who will give of their substance only—upon the broad appeal of justice. All Confederates now living should have their say in this matter. The subject should be put before them intelligently. They came with