The Loyalist Centennial - How Can a Memorial Hall be Obtained

The Loyalist Centennial – How Can a Memorial Hall be Obtained. Sir, -- Different suggestions have been made as to the best means to be adopted in commemoration of the landing of the Loyalists. One of these was that a granite pillar or obelisk should be erected on Kings square. This has been objected to on the grounds that it is inartistic, barbarous and wanting in utility. Other suggestions have been made, the most prominent of which is that a Memorial Hall should be erected. This proposition was at first based on the idea that large contributions would be given to it by the Dominion and Provincial Legislatures and by the Common Council of this city. It having been pretty clearly ascertained that these sources for means could not be relied on, the advocates of the Memorial Hall then modified their views, proposing that but a commencement should be made in 1883; and, that, towards such commencement, one-half of the gate money from the Centennial Exhibition should be devoted. This idea has not, deservedly, met with much favor; and, it is very questionable if any feasible, practicable mode, can be suggested for strictly carrying out the Memorial Hall idea. The whole of the gate money of the exhibition, together with all the other funds to be provided for it, will be required to make the Centennial Exhibition as great a success as possible. But, the very fact of the exhibition being a Centennial Exhibition, and, therefore, in itself a testimonial of the landing of the Loyalists, seems to suggest that the Centennial Exhibition building might, in one way or another, be utilized as a permanent testimonial. This is one means, if all others fail, as they apparently have done, of carrying out the testimonial idea, and, at the same time, of giving something more than a mere temporary Loyalist Centennial character to the Centennial Exhibition, and to the new building which it will be necessary to erect for that purpose. Various modes of carrying out this idea might be suggested, one of which might be named as the insertion of an elaborate metallic plate, artistically designed, over the main entrance, with a proper inscription referring to the event which the Exhibition is to celebrate. A procession, oration, poem, proper ceremonials, etc., might be connected with this, and the 18th of May, 1883, be devoted to the setting up of this memorial, and thus specially connect the Exhibition and the new building with the event proposed to be celebrated in the centennial year, namely, that of the landing of the Loyalists on the 18th of May, 1783. I throw out this suggestion thus early that it may receive the timely consideration that will have to be given it if acted upon. If the location were different the building might be adopted for some of the purposes for which it is proposed to erect a Memorial Hall; but, at all events, it can be made a permanent Exhibition Memorial Hall, and, thus – “killing two birds with one stone” -- while funds will not be taken away from the Centennial Exhibition, which will be required to make it a success, a Loyalist Memorial Building will be obtained. Yours, etc., LOYALIST.