The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-08-22

Order NJ. IA.

that we live in Christian land Is it
possible that the beams of civilization
Tighten QUIZ country, or have truth, hon
or, character and liberation all been
dimmed forever under tie dark cloud
Of war; Imagine the grim Marshall
Benedek, whose cradle was rocked to
the music Of artillery, and whose whole
life has been spent in the camp and
tented field" issuing an order that the
enemy; whom he may yet conquer,
shall not pay funeral honors to their
brave. Imagine the Prussians who are
leveling their needle gun even at the
gates of Vienna, prohibiting the nations,
the sons and daughters of that Capito-
liam centre of Austrian pride and pow
er, from erecting "memeato mort" to
the slain. Then, perhaps, if the mind
can be SO vivid in it's realization you
can form some idea of the character,
purport and effects Of General Phil.
Sheridan's last order. Ithas impressed
the whole Southern mind, as far as it
has Illuminated with the liveliest horror,
for it forbids the mother and the Or
phan, the wife and the maiden, the on
ly consolation they have left them in
the hour of their dire calamity, the con-
ISOLATION of showing their reverence for
the remains of those whom in life they
loved so well.
This is a sacred Office. Every nation
no matter however barbarous has its
peculiar rites and ceremonies, by which
to make the grave, as the connecting
link between the soul and GOD-be-
tween Time and Eternity, sacred
ground. Following over q half centu-
ry's practice in the most civilized por-
tons of Europe, in this country the
erection of monumental tablets has long
been the custom to commemorate the
name and virtue Of the departed.
Though the war may have been rebel
lious, thousands Of brave, good hearts
on the side of the cross barred banner
went down in the conflict. They illus.
trated by their heroic lives, by their pa
tient endurance, by their self-sacrifcing
natures and by answering patriotism
the greatest and loftiest traits of man
hood. At the mention of the name
"the Confederate dead" the whole
4 world stands uncovered in respectful
silence. Besides, let those who were
our late enemies and who pioughed ou1
land with fire and sword remember
that almost every household has its va
can't chair, and its skeleton, clothed il
the grim Confederate gray.
Recovering from the paralysis o
their overwhelming defeat, and The
woe, disappointment and poverty tha
followed in its train, our people hai
just commenced to inaugurate through
out the country system to do homo.
to the mortal remains of their MINOR
TAILS. At this moment the order O
Gen. Phil. Sheridan is issued and de
prives them of the privilege of carrying
out this task, dictated simply by a de
sire to do homer to those who are pow
erless for harm. 1t is to be wondered
that an order of this sort should NEE
with universal condemnation
The authorities of the Union have
since the war, been diligent to collec
together their slain on every battle
field, and at every prison yard, ant
have reared mausoleums over their dust
In order to do this they have to tram
pie level with the earth the mound tina
covers the uncofin ed breast Of our b,
roes. This action of the Federal Gov
eminent met with universal approba
ton. Are our dead less dear to us
Heaven forbid! A thought of them an,
of their heroic deeds makes the ag
sublime. Shall we then be denied thi
poor last privilege? viii not the mex
order be one prohibiting the families 0
the slain in battle from wearing mourn
inge VIII not q man with a sharp axt
be sent to cut down the flagstaff tina
marks the spot where the wondroul
StoneWall" lies in mild and sweet re-
pose? Will the grave of Sidney John
son again be re-opened? Shall ou
dead, who, by their devotion to ou
cause made the name of " American
respected throughout the world, lie il
unknown and unmarked graves. New
er! for nature and the soil that gst
them birth will bring their floral offer
lngs, and military commanders cal
have no power over the flowers of th
field.
| knowing the sentiment Of the South