American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-04-07
revolution won for us, confronted each
other in battle.
The smoke OF the conflict went up to

The smoke OF the conflict went up tC
the heavens. 1t dmmed the sun by day
and darkened the guiding stars by night
States once harmonious had become dis
cordant and belligerant. The valor dis
played on both sides was an American
characteristic. We feel no disposition tc
detract from the gallantry of those who
took part against US in the great contest
and upheld the power Of the United
States. But we know how to appreciate
the high-souled courage of those who
ranged themselves in defense Of the
South, and upheld her banners against
overwhelming numbers. The South is
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 mem
bers of the powerful republic that ex-
tends 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
Asiatic nations beyond the Pacific. The
great battle has been lost by the South ;
but it has been won by the Government
that embraces the whole country. That
Government is our own. We shall re-
joice in its prosperity, and contribute TO
the advancement of its power and glory.
But in resumiDg our relations to the
other States Of the American Union, we
come with our hearts true to the States
that have been overpowered in the great
struggle hearts loyal. too, to tie govern
ment Of the United States.
We cannot forget those who fell in de-
fense Of the South. We honor the mem
ory of our dead.
Matured manhood, undeveloped youth
we lament them all. Not the South
alone, but the true, the brave, The gene.
rous, Of the whole country. will lay gar
lands on the grave Of the dead hero who
sleeps at Lexington who by his steady
courage on the field, won the title Of
Stonewall, and whose Christian spirit
famed with matchless ardor in the great
fight the glory which he won shed a
lustre upon 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
from the North, the South, the East and
the West, will meet there through the
coming centuries.
Now that tie war is ended, true hero
ism is heroisn, no matter in what ranks
it shown. No matter on which side the
merits OF the struggle lay as political
contest no matter bow much the move
ment that preciP;.ated the country into
revolution may be condemned and des
plored, it is impossible to Withhold our
homage from the noble men who ranged
themselves in rauks of battle to strike for
he homes that they loved and principles
hat they cherished. Their renoWn is
be common property of the nation.
Hitherto the North and the South have /
,een rivals in the arts OF peace, in ltera
ure, in craftsmanship, in the pursuits
which enrich people; now they have
net in the shock of battle, and they
now how 10 respect each other. Il
would be a narrow bigotry indeed, that
efused to see and to honor heroic quail. |
les on either side of the line that divided .
he two great sections in their late struC>
lie.
We may well mourn our dead heroes.
t the South had been triumphant, if the
ght of victory illumed her banners, if to.
ay her fertile soil yielded its products to
be labor OF her people as in former times,
she were prosperous-her sons might
e silent Standing in the midst OF power
nd splendor of free and great State,
Ie might leave to history the task of re-
ording the names of those who laid ,
own their lives for her sake. We should :
e content to see her glory shine OCT up I
q the nations. But now, her BANKERS
,rn, her arms stricken from her hands, {
er wealth despoied, the homes of her
eople in ashes, some Of her best and
ravest sleeping in death-clad as she is
the garments of mourning. we will
ing to her as we would to a mother in G
diversity. Poor she may be ;her truth
Il fields may be desolated her beautiful {
aces may be burned with consuming
re but she is our mother still
.uernber tscc YES ". .e there's life in ibis heart
shah never forget ihce, an tarn as thou art:
ere dear in t'iy sorroW thy gloom and thy showers
han tn rest Of the world u the sunnies, hours.
Her sons who fell in battle are our /
rothers. We vii honor their memory. ,
We may be silent as to the living. We I
annCI forget the dead. No, never J
heir memory is safe 4