Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-12-14

RESTORING FRATERNAL FEELIN6s
The Grand Master of Michigan, after
speaking at some length Of tne relations
OF one part Of the county to the other
remarks:
But how are We to cultivate these har-
moniOus relations? What facilities are
( presented in circumstances ? We rarely
meet, and BY what means are we 70 open
with strangers that intercourse which is
to lead to these happy ends? Should
we meet, let as avoid those subjects upon
/ which it is well known We viii disagree,
and dwell upon those only upon which
Z we cannot disagree. Let rs look around
/ US and We may find the means and ia
cililies in orr very households. Almost
( every one uf our soldiers has brought
home from the South their respective
trophies. Let US gather these and re-
turn them 10 their proper owners. Even
though they were lawful spells according
to iron rule Of war, many OF them are Of
so interesting, nay, even sacred a charac-
ter, that tb ere Is an inhumAuity in re-
tanning them, while their return opens
those avenues to the heart and its affec-
items, through which the sweet waters Of
gratitude dow and inspire the soul with
faith and a confidence that lead to the
hsrmOniss and amenities which 10 is the
Office Of Masonry to cultivate, and which,
as we have remarked, is a paramount
object in restoring our pOliIicsi union. l
could note many instances OF this kind
which have fallen under my own OBJ
servatiOn. One soldier brought home a
costly cottage bible, containing the fam
ily register Of a distinguished Southern
family. 1t was purchased by brother
Mason, and after much difficulty 10 fiad-
ing the members of the scattered family,
was restored to them. Another had y
group OF Photographic portraits, which
were likeS ise bought and restOred. These
drew out OF the beuefciaries letters Of
most affsctionate gratitude, and the es-
tsblishment Of the most pure and perfect
friendship between the parties interested.
Permit me to ask your indulgence, my
brethren, while | relate a circumstance,
the delicacy OF which touched my feel
ings deeply.
10 the house of a friend and worthy
brother in Goshen, in the State of Indi-
aua, my attention was siTscted to two
elegantly bound volumes and two large
French vases Of elabOrately cut flint
glass. These vases were Of great value,
being from twenty-five to thirty inches
in hight. My friend said that be fel5
unpleasantly every time he saw them,
and informed me that they were sent to
him as trophies Of war by his nephew,
who was q lieutenant Of volunteers from
Indiana. lie informed me that his
nephew had saved these valuable arti-
cles at the rszjng of a mansion Of rebel
officer, near Baton Rouge, in the State
of Louisiana, and that mis- nephew was
killed in battle few days after having
them to him. Ny friend ia I
formed me that he was very anxious 10 /
return them TO the proper owner If liV- I
ing, aud II not, TO any surviving member /
OF bis family. He had, however, no trace /
Of their former ownership. Herequested /
me to take some measures 10 fiud the 4
owner, or some member Of his family, !
and 10 bring about 8 restoration Of the 4
articles in question.
Immediately addressed a letter to /
the Master Of any Lodge Of Mssons in I
Baton Rouge" giving a history of the .
expressing wish to re-
turn the articles, and institUtiug Inquiries
for their owners. Ny letter was soon
answered by Bro. Jas. Asher, W. NJ. ST.
James Lodge No. ~. He informed me
that the articles in question were relics,
that had long been cherished in a dis
-inguisbed family,and that they were ali
that remained Of a once pTincely man.
siOn that was now leveled and scattered.
The articles were duly returned to their
proper owner. But what touched me
most deeply in the interesting CORES
Dondence with Bro. Asher, was the fol-
owing, which e8tsact from oae Of his
etteFs TO me;
Please inform Bro. s., that re-
,enuy, while visiting the so-calledl old
American graveyard, I found the grave
)f his nephew, with tom bstODe bearing
he following Inscription: Charles G.
Seely, First Lieutenant, Company A.,
list Indiana Volunteers. killed 10 action
August 5, 1882 Honor to whom
honor is due;' and those OF the Adiu-
ant Of his regiment, a Sergeant Of
his company, and another officer. These
yraves require some attention, which l
will eheeriully give from time to time, If
Bro. s. viii by letter authorize me to do
%; for, as the work was done by the
United Stateo authorities, it may require
written authorization and consent Of
he commanding officer here"
Here we find one Of our Southern
,rethren standing sentinel over the ashes
# the honored dead, although the de-
'eased came IS stranger and enemy TO
be spot where those honored ashes lie.
low beautiful, how delicate, how sffec-
iOnate What higher testimonial can
'lasons ask than this Of the effect pro-
,rOdueed by its kind offices2 Where is
here q brother who is not anxious to
participate in this work of brotherly
owe and harmony?