Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-04-07

! States once harmonious had become dis
cordant and belligerent. The valor dis
lsnlaved ON both sides was an American
| characteristic. We feel no disposition
to detract from the gallantry of those
\ who took part against us in the great
y contest. and upheld the power Of the
United States. But we know how to ap-
preciate the high-souled courage of those
who ranged themselves in defence Of the
South, and upheld her banners against
overwhelming numbers. The South rs
overpowered. She has yielded the great
struggle. The States that undertook to
organize an independent government,
and lifted, a new flag under our Southern
skies, take their places once more as
loyal members Of the powerful republic
| that extends its rule over the continent
and. while. it seats its institutions in
full view of Europe on the Atlantic shore,
! at the same time rears them in sight OF
the Asiatie nations beyond the Pacific.
The great. battle has been lost by the
| South but it has been won by the gov
! eminent that embraces our whole coun-
try. That government is our own. We
shall rejoice its prosperity, and con
tribute TO the advancement OF its power
and glory.
But in resuming our relations to the
| other States. of the American Union, we
como .@::t!h, our hearts true to the States
that have been overpewered in the great
struggle hearts loyal, too, to the Gov
ernment of the United States.
We cannot forget those who fell in de-
fense of the South. We honor the mem
ory Of our dead.
Y Matnred manhood -undeveloped youth
I'VE lament them all Not the South
alone, but the true, the brave, the gener-
ous. of the whole country, will lay gar
lands on the grave of the dead hero who
/ sleeps at Lexington who, by his steady
courage b. on the field won the title of
l-Stonewall. and whose Christian spirit
famed with matchless ardor in the great
frht TIE glory which he won shed q
llustre aupon the American name. HIS
fame belongs to the whole country, No
monumental marble yet marks the spot
where the lonely sleeper rests, but It will
yet rise toward the skies, and pilgrims
fcom the North, the South, the East and
the West, win meet there through the
coming centuries.
Now that the war is ended, true hero
ism is heroism, no matter IN what ranks
Il shone. No matter on which side the
merits cf the struggle lay as a political
contest: no matter haw much the move
ment that precipitated the country into
revolution may be condemned or de-
plered, il is impossible to withhold onr
T. Al 10 h1 nd
themselves in ranks of battle TO strike fer
the homes that they loved and principles
that they cherished Their renown is the
common property of the nation Hith-
erto the North and South have been
rivals in the arts of peace, in literature,
in craftsmanship, in the pursuits which
enrich people; now they have met in
the shock of battle, and they know how
10 respect each other Ii would be a
narrow bigotry indeed that refused to
see and to, honor heroic qualities on
either side of the line that divided the
two great sections in their late struggle.
We may well mourn our dead hercs'
liz the South had been triumphant, If the
tight of victory had illumined her ban
ners. if to-day her fertile soil yielded it's
products to the labor Of her people as in
former times, if she were prosperous-
her sons may be silent Standing IN the
midst Of the power and splendor OF a
free and great State, we might leave to
history the task of recording the names
of those who laid down their lives for her
sake. We should be content to see her
glory shine out upon the nations. But
now with her banners torn, her arms
stricken, from her hands, her wealth de-
spoiled, the homes Of her people in
ashes, some of her best and bravest
sleeping in death--clad as she is in the
garments of msurning, we viii cling TO
her as we would to mother in adversely
Poor she may be; her fruitful fields may
be desolate1; her beautiful places may
be burned with consuming fire but she
Is our mother still
Remember thee yes. while there's life IN this
II shall ncver forget thee. aII torn ns thou art ;
More dear in thy sorrow. thy gloom. and thy
Than 'a9SfT.t t6s Pa.t IF the world in the .unniOa
hours
Her sons who fell in battle, are our
brothers. We will honor their memory.
We may be silent rs TO the living. We
cannot forget- the dead No, neverl
irheit memory IS safe