North Carolina Newspapers

The News and Observe**. *' J I) Aj(|frj VOL LIV. NO. ,50. ILffisi'lls fflOO RtotpQOD ©supoDßonai PaipMPS Bdd Ei®ft|]D R3@w@ siddgD 2BB[p©flflQs)tiEl®[n LADIES MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION A Sketch of the Origin and History of the Raleigh Organization. This day—May Tenth—is ever memor able in Southern history. It commemor ates the dark day when Stonewall Jack son, the immortal Christian soldier, "pass ed over the river to rest in the shade of the trees.” In Raleigh today there will be no oration, as usual, because Memorial day this year falls on Sunday. In all the churches special memorial services will be held in connection with religious services. At 5 o’clock in the afternoon memorial services will be held under the direction of the Ladies’ Memorial Association, at the Confederate cemetery. Crosses of Hon or will be presented, after which the graves will be covered with flowers. There will be a service of song and prayer by the chaplain. Those who cannot attend at the cemetery are requested to send flowers to Col. Kenan’s office in the Supreme Court building. jThe city choirs are requested to meet at Christ church at 4:80 o’clock. Carriages will be provided to take them to the cemetery. HISTORY OF THE RALEIGH ASSO CIATION., Below' w r e print a sketch of the Ladies’ Memorial Association, of Raleigh—its ori gin and history—prepared by P. F. Pes cud, Sr., by request of the Association, and printed in 1882. It is full of interest and a valuable contribution to one of the brightest pages in the history of Raleigh. It was printed at the time in pamphlet form and is now out of print. Through the courtesy of Mrs. E. E. Moffltt, a member of the Association, we are per mitted to print it in full. It is as follows: MR. PESCUD’S SKETCH. "It Is indeed a blessing to church and State wiien the virtues Os noble races are hereditary And do derive themselves from the imi tation Os virtuous ancestry.” 4 At the semi-annual meeting of the Ladjies’ Memorial Association, of this city, held in the Senate chamber, on the second of October, 1882, the undersigned committee was requested to prepare for publication a paper giving a history of its origin and progress and to make an appeal to all (interested in its perpetuity for means to complete the proposed adornment of the Confederate cemetery. In discharging this duty the committee realizes that it is of much importance and general interest, and regrets that by reason of the lapse of time many in cidents and the names of some who gave their time and money to the support of the Association may be overlooked. If so, those informed will kindly make al lowances- .lTS ORIGIN. Soon after the close of the late war, when our people were deprived of the luxuries and comforts to which they had been so long accustomed, when all felt the curse of poverty and were unut terably distressed, the ladies of this city, [than whom none are more noble, sympa thetic, true and patriotic], moved as were their ancestors by most generous and commendable feelings, determined to se cure a suitable lot for the re-interment and protection of the remains of the dead heroes who had given their Ifves in de fense of "the Lost Cau.ie.” These re mains were buried in the vicinity of Raleigh, chiefly on the ground of the present Federal cemetery, which was con fiscated by the United States authorities, when in command at this post. The movement was led by such noble, tried and true spirits as Mrs. General L O’B. Branch, Mrs. John Devereux, Mrs. George W. Mordecai, Mrs. H. W. Miller, Mrs. W. R. Cox, Mrs. K. P. Battle, Mrs. E. Gra ham Haywood, Mrs. Annie Busbee, Mrs. Lucy Evans, Mrs- Drury Lacy, Mrs. H. W. Husted, Mrs. John G. Williams, Mrs. Dr. Charles E. Johnson, Mrs. Dr. W. G. Hill, Mrs. Ellen Mordecai. Mrs. Henry Mordecai, Mrs. T. H. Selby, Mrs. H. S. Smith, and their lovely and most charm ing daughters, Miss Sophia Partridge. Mrs. Mary Speight, Miss Mildred Camer on, Miss Sal lie- Haywood and Miss Annie Lawrence. These and others, whose names we cannot recall, met in the Sen TTGOtE ©fIDNKWEGSEIB) BAKIKIEOB BY ABRAM J. RYAN, (FATHER RYAN) I url the Banner, for 'tis weary; Hound, its staff ’tis drooping dreary; I* url it, fold it, it is best; For there’s not a man to wave it, And there’s not a sword to save it, And there’s not one left to lave it In the blood which heroes gave it; And its foes now scorn and brave it; hurl it, hide it—let it rest! Take that Banner down! ’tis tattered; Broken, is its staff and shattered And the valiant hosts are scattered Over whom it floated high, Oh; ’tis hard for us to fold it; Hard to think there’s none to hold it: Hard that those who once unrolled it Now must furl it with a sigh. ate chamber October second, 18C6, (six teen years ago) and organized the Ladies’ Memorial Association by the adoption of a constitution and by laws prepared by Mrs. Drury Lacy, Mrs. Annie Busbee, and Mrs. H. W. Miller, (assisted by George W. Mordecai, Esq.), and by the election of the following officers, viz.: Mrs. General L. O’B. Branch, president; Mrs. H. W. Miller, vice-president; Mrs. Lucy Evans, second vice-president: Mrs. Robert G. Lewis, third vice-president; Mrs. Drury Lacy, fourth vice-president; Miss Sophia Patridge, secretary; Miss Annie Mason, treasurer; with the fol lowing advisory council: George W. Mor decai, P. E. Pescud. H- W. Husted, Wil liam Grimes, B. C. Manly and W. R. Cox, and their successors in office. It was in the mind of Miss Sophia Partridge, a lady distinguished for her purity, refinement and sympathetic na ture, that the thought of organizing an association for the re-interment and fu ture care of our dead braves first dawn ed, and it is to her influence and per sistent exertions, that,the first Confed erate cemetery in the late Confederacy of which the writer has any knowledge, was organized: and no mother ever nursed her first born with the care she gave to keeping the cemetery in good order, and to making the Memorial As sociation a success. She loved and sympathized with every plan intended to alleviate the sorrows and pains of the sick soldiers, during the war, and when an improvised hospital was furnished by the writer at "NeviU’s” church, near the old fair grounds, she was prominent in doing the best she could. Until the close of the war, she was found in the hos pitals, cheering and comforting the sick and the wounded, and when these died, 6he saw that boards with their names were placed at the heads of their graves, and thus were the names of many pre served. A suitable monument should be erected to her memory, apd a special committee appointed to adorn her grave with sweetest and rarest flowers on every anniversary'. HOW THE LOT WAS SECURED. Having no lot and no money to buy one, voluntary contributions were made by the ladles, and Mrs- Henry Burgwyn and Messrs. George W. Mordecai, James B. Shepherd, Francis Gilliam, Paul C. Cameron/P. F. Pescud, ■ Father Mc- Namara and General Thomas L. Cling man became life members by paying one hundred dollars each. Besides these, contributions were made by our citizens generally, and many ladies became an nual members by paying one dollar, through the efforts of a committee com prising some of the most charming maid ens then known in this city. The late George W. Mordecai, whom everybody loved and whose memory is, and ever will be cherished by all who knew him, •and the writer were appointed to select and secure a suitable lot. After devot ing an hour or two every day for sever al weeks to a survey of the suburbs of the city, the premises now occupied and known as the Ladies’ Memorial Cemetery was agreed upon. This land was owned by the late Henry Mordecai, and -this gentleman knew that the writer had for years, as a member of the City Council, in vain advocated the necessity for a larger and more suitable cemetery than the old one on Hargett street, and had insisted that one should be secured and beautified by taxation- When, there fore, in company with George W. Mor decai, he asked Mr. Henry Mordecai to make a donation of as many acres as the ladies wanted, and as an inducement for such liberality agreed to raise, a joint stock company to purchase his land ad joining, and to convert it into a cemetery and park, the generous Mordecai replied: “Mr. Pescud, the Ladies’ Memorial Asso ciation are welcome to as many acres of my land as they need for such a sacred purpose, without any consideration, and not only this, but concerning the enter prise you refer to, and which has been so long on your heart, I will aid you to the extent of my ability in the price of the wanted for the purpose.” With the assistance of Col. W. E. An derson, then cashier of the State National Bank, the "Oakwood Cemetery Associa tion” was soon organized. Hence to the Ladies’ Memorial Association are our citizens indebted for that most beautiful and attractive park and cemetery, and to the lamented George W. Mordecai, whose abounding charity God only knows, which charity is only equalled by that of his. Furl that Banner! furl it sadly! Once ten thousands hailed it gladly And ten thousands wildly, madly, Swore it should forever wave; Swore that foernan’s sword should never Hearts like theirs entwined dissever, Till that flag should float forever O’er their freedom or their grave! Furl it! for the hands that grasped it. And the hearts that fondly clasped it, Cold and dead are lying low; And that Banner—it is trailing! While around it sounds the wailing Os its people in their woe. For, though conquered, they adore it! Hove the cold, dead hands that bore it! Weep for those who fell before it! RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA; SUN DAT MORNING, MAT 10. 1903. Why the Coal Trust Conspirators Dave Been Saved From Jai (New York American.) The conspirators of the Coal Trust cannot he sent to jail. THEY WERE PARDONED IN ADVANCE BY A REPUBLICAN CON GRESS AND A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT. Prior to February 19 last the law stood thus: “Any person who shall neglect or refuse to attend and testify, or to answer any lawful inquiry, OR TO PRODUCE BOOKC. PAPERS, TARIFFS, CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS, if in his power to do so, in obedience to the subpoena or lawful requirement of the Commission, shall he guilty of an offence, and upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a ftne of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, or by IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR, or by both such fine and IMPRISONMENT.” The Elkins law, signed by President Roosevelt on February 19, 1903, relieved Messrs. Baer and Truesdale and all lawless pillagers of the public by trust methods from fear of the penitentiary. The Elkins statute provides: “In all convictions occurring aft er the passage of this act for of fences under said acts to regnlate commerce, WHETHER COMMIT TED BEFORE OR AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THIS ACT, or for of fences under this section, no penalty shall be imposed on the guilty party other than the fine prescribed by law, IMPRISONMENT WHEREVER NOW PRESCRIBED AS PART OF THE PENALTY BE ING HEREBY ABOLISHED.” The Elkins bill, which wrests from the people’s hands the weapon most dreaded by rich and powerful criminals, was pushed through Congress and signed by the President while the United States At torney-General was being formally besonght by William Randolph Hearst to prosecute the conspirators of the Coal Trust, civilly and CRIMINALLY, and while Mr. Hearst was making in due public form an appeal to the Interstate Commerce Commission to investigate and proceed against the same trnst. It was on October 4, 1902, that Mr. Hearst notified President Roose velt by letter that he had petitioned the Attorney-General for per mission to supply- him with documentary proof of the guilt of the Coal Trust—or MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE PRESI DENT SIGNED THE ELKINS BILL. It was on October 29, 1902, that Mi. Hearst petitioned the Inter state Commerce Commission—or MONTHS LACKING TEN DAYS BEFORE PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT PUT HIS SIGNATURE TO THE ADVANCE PARDON. During all those months the Attorney-General had in his hands the evidence against the Coal Trust which has been brought out by the investigation, undertaken by the Interstate Commerce Commission at the request of Mr. Hearst. And the Attorney-General made no move. He has done nothing to disturb the Coal Trust during the whole SEVEN MONTHS that have elapsed since he was petitioned by William Randolph Hearst to set the machinery of the law in motion against it. If the Coal Trnst itself uad dictated the Elkins bill it could not have procured legislation more advantageous to its interests and agree able to its feelings. ** « - Why was the jail, which is always open to receive small thieves, closed against the conspirators of the ’Coal Trnst AT THE VERY TIME WHEN MR. HEARST WAS CONSPICUOUSLY ENDEAVORING TO INSTIGATE LEGAL ACTION WHICH, IF HONESTLY PRESSED BY THE GOVERNMENT, COULD NOT BUT HAVE RESULTED IN LANDING THOSE CONSPIRATORS BEHIND THE BARS? Was this friendly Elkins act passed and signed in recognition and reward of valuable political services? Let George F. Baer, President of the Coas Trust, make answer. « * * On, April 29 last Mr. Baer was on the witness stand, UNDER OATH, before the Interstate Commerce Commission. Mr. Clarence J. Shearn, attorney for Representative Hearst, called his attention to an official bulletin of the Department of Labor, in which a statement made by the witness to Labor Commissioner Carroll D. Wright, relative to the miners’ strike in 1900, was quoted. Mr. Shearn (to Mr. Baer) —Did you say as follows, referring to the preceding strike, that: surviving widow, are they chiefly indebt ed for the adronmonts made therein. A part of nearly every day until his last fatal illness, he with the writer, spent in superintending the improvement of the! grounds. Had he lived a few years longer, through his own and his family’s liberality and influence, the chapel on Chapel Circle, the summer house and fountain on Prospect Circle, the pavilion over the spring and the stone fountain to receive the water, th evaluJiabt (j to receives the water, the vaults, iron benches, terraces and flower plots, about, which,he was so anxious, and of which he Pardon those who trailed and tore It! Eut, oh! wildly they deplore it, Now’ who furl and fold it so. Furl that Banner! True, ’tis gory, Yet ’tis wreathed around with glory, And ’twill live in song and story, jThough its folds are in the dust; For its fame on brightest pages, Penned by poets and by sages, Shajl go sounding down the ages— Furl its folds though now we must. •Furl that Banner, softly, slowly! treat it gently—it is holy— For it droops above the dead. Touch it not —unfold it never. Let it droop there, furled forever, For its people’s hopes arc dead! EDITORIAL SECTION-16 PAGES-PAGES I TO 8. spoke so often, would, long ere this, have been in existence. (The writer hopes the reader will pardon him for this digres sion; “Oakwood” and the “Confederate” ! Cemetery are so intimately connected, and Mr. Mordeeai an 4 his family took so ■ much interest in both, it seemed un j avoidable.) CONDITION OF THE GROUNDS WHEN DONATED. The land was covered with native oaks and pines and was full of gulches; on the west side was a deep ravine, and the cost of removing superfluous trees by the roots, grading, terracing, opening the walks and graves, more tßm absorbed all the money raised and a furtherf call for funds had to be made; this was lib erally responded to. The work of pre paring the grounds was done by Mr. John Waters, under the direction of Mr. P. F. Pescud. DISINTERRING AND RE-INTERRING THE BODIES OF OUR DEAD. The late George W. Whiting was chair man of the committee to ascertain where our fallen braves were buried and to have their remains disinterred and re moved to the cemetery. He, assisted by Misses Blanche Bragg, Annie Lovejoy, and Sue B. Pescud, re-marked In pencil all the head-boards at the graves they found and prepared a list of the names written thereon before the graves were opened. Mr. P. F- Pescud, aided by the ladies, received and superintended the re interment of the remains, which work was begun 22nd February, 1867, and occupied several weeks. After this a large num ber of ladies (old and young) made a se lection of graves to be adorned with flowers on anniversary occasions and at Intermediate times. This practice is still observed, especially by those who assist ed in nursing or carrying delicacies to the deceased during their last illness. ‘‘Shortly after thi3 strike was inaugurated, Senator Hanna met a number of gentlemen and insisted that if the strike were not settled it would extend to Ohio. Indiana and Illinois. AND THE ELECTION OF MR. McKINLEY AND MR. R 0 3SEVELT WOULD BE ENDAN GERED. He insisted that he was authorized to settle the strike, through Mr. Mitchell, if the operators would agree to a 10 per cent, advance in wager. After a great deal of pressure had been brought to bear upon the presidents of the coal companies and positive assur ances were given that the situation was really dangerous, President McKinley sending me personally to a gentleman to assure me that Ohio and Indiana were in danger unless some adjustment was made, we agreed to put up a notice which was prepared, we understood, at Indianapolis and furnished by tbe United Mine Workers. The private operators absolutely refused to join in this advance, and instead of the strike being ended as promised, it continned on for some time, and it became necessary, IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE SITUATION, to call a meeting of the private operators with the presidents of the coal com panies and to agree with them that if they would put up notices to pay 10 per cent, increase we would meet a committee which they should appoint and endeavor to increase, if possible, the price of coal. They agreed to this, a committee was appointed by the pri vate operators, and we sat two or three days a month for three months to reach an agreement with them. THAT AGREEMENT INVOLVED A HEAVY COMPENSATION TO THE PRIVATE OPERATORS FROM THE COAL COMPANIES. The coal companies had agreed to change the basis of coal purchased from the private operators from a basis of 40 per cent, and 60 per cent, to a basis of 35 per cent, and 65 per cent. In other worus, we had to decrease 5 per cent, and they increas ed 5 per cent.” Mr. Shearn: Yon stated that to Mr. Wright? Mr. Baer: I did, I assume; it sonuds all right—if yon nave read it correctly. Mr. Shearn: That is the fact, is itVnot, anyway? Mr. Baer: Yes. sir. IT IS THE FACT. THAT, IS. THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL TICKET WOULD HAVE BEEN BEATEN IN 1900 BUT FOR THE COAL TRUST. Is this true? • George F. Baer, President of the Coal Trust, SWEARS that it is. To the Coal Trust, according to this testimony, Theodore Roosevelt owes the Presidency. AND IF THEODORE ROOSEVELT WERE NOT PRESIDENT, MR. KNOX WOULD NOT BE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND ABLE TO STAND BETWEEN THE COAL TRUST AND PROSECUTION AS HE HAS DONE. Were Mr. Baer, when in a candid mood, to be asked what his opinion of the Biking anti-jailing law is, who can doubt that he would reply that he considered it but a reasonable recompense for saving the country from the Democracy in 1900? This Elkins act is undoubtedly responsible for the arrogance and contumacy of the officers of the Coal Trust before the Interstate Com merce Commission—for their refusal to produce the books and papers demanded by Mr. Hearst’s attorney and to answer questions pro pounded by him, notwithstanding the Commission’s order that they produce and answer. J Thanks to the Elkins act, passed by Congress at its last session and . signed by President Roosevelt, the conspirators of the Coal Trust have only fines to face, no matter of what offences they may he found 1 guilty. The man who steals a loaf of bread goes to jail; the men who steal millions from the public by presenting the pistol of monopoly at its head are let off with a fine. * * * We know now why Attorney-General Knox has not proceeded against | the Coal Trust on Mr. Hearst’s petition and evidence. We know now why Knox has not been compelled to proceed against the Coal Trust by his master, President Roosevelt. But though the law has been emasculated so that personal liability has been minimized and ignominions punishment for guilt abolish ed, THE LAW STILL PROVIDES F OR THE DISSOLUTION OF SUCH PLUNDERING COMBINES AS THE COAL TRUST. What a grateful Republican Congress and a Republican President have left of the law will be invoke d to the utmost. Representative Hearst has set out to smash the Coal Trnst, and, with the help of the courts, THE COAL TRUST WILL BE SMASHED, though the hope of putting Baer and his fellow pirates in stripes must be given np. These graves are distinguished by flowers and shrubbery near them, and the turfing, which is kept fresh. It is in this connection proper to men tion that we w’ere forced to re-inter the remains of our noble soldiers before the cemetery was in readiness, because of the heartlessness of the wretch sent by the authorities at Washington City to prepare a cemetery for the Federal dead, in which confiscated ground were interred most of our dead. The said Nero sent in sulting messages to the Memorial Asso ciation, insisting on the removal of the Confederate dead before the cemetery was in readiness forthe 1 graves to be opened, and finally theratened that if our dead were not removed by a given day, their remains would be placed in the public road. This inhuman conduct mov ed our ex-Confederates and youths to the front. With commendable alacrity they responded to the call of the ladies. Stimulated by their presence and smiles, day after day, with zeal commensurate with their reverence for the remains of their late companions in arms, and sym pathy In the labor 1 of love the dear wo- i men had begun, they undertook the task | of disinterring and re-interring our dead, and labored until all the bodies found in and near this city were deposited in the Confederate cemetery. When informed of his conduct the commandant of this post severely rebuked the man in charge of the Federal cemetery, and on the follow ing anniversary, his family, brought a large quantity of rare flowers to the cem etery, stood uncovered in front of the orator during the delivery of his address, and then placed ttye flowers over the > graves of our dead. That the young men of this day may j appreciate the nature of the work done! so cheerfully, and yet with so much sad- j ness of soul, we will state that when taost of the coffins reached the cemetery they needed repairs. Others were half PKICE FIVE CENTS. full of most offensive fluid, and as the coffins at the top leaked badly, in remov ing them from the wagons to the graves the persons! and clothing of those thus employed were thoroughly saturated: but such was the love of our noble boys for their late companions in arms, and so heartily did they sympathize with the ladies in their work of love, that none | flinched or complained, though some were i physically prostrated by excessive fa tigue. DESIGNATION OF THE GRAVES. Untyl a few years ago the graves wore distinguished by two-inch plank boards pair.ted white, on which were marked the names of all known. This laborious work was done under the direction of, and chiefly by, Miss Sophia Partridge. About five years) ago many of these plank boards being decayed and fallen to the ground, by the aid of Col. A. B. Andrews, stone posts from Salisbury were procured and numbered to correspond with a roster, prepared in triplicate by Mrs. R. G. Lewis and Miss Sophia Part ridge, one copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the Association, one in the office of the County Clerk, and one in the office of the Scertary of States This roster is preserved for the information of persons who have friends interred in the cemetery. WHO ARE BURIED IN THE CEME TERY? The president’s report shows that dur ing 1867, 6jJB of our fallen heroes were interred in the cemetery, viz: 312 North Carolinians, 46 South Carolinians, '44 Georgians, 8 Alabamians, 8 Mlssissip pians, 4 Virginians, 2 Floridians, 2 Ten nesseeans, 1 Texan (hung by order of Kilpatrick for firing on him and bis com mand as they approached the capitol on the morning of the surrender); 1 Louisian (Continued on Third Page.)