Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-15
rhs Rebel dead.


Fad the South conquered in the late
struggle, and did we ~ish 70 damn our
selves to everlasting infamy, there is no
way in which we can conceive the posi-
billy Of its accomplishment 80 surely as
| by a refusal to allow our subdued enc
mics TO express their regard as they
would for their fallen friends, relatives
and braves. It Is a refinement OF cruelty
to step between the dead and the living
who would render the last tribute OF
affection, Of which sayages are incapa-
bic. We doubt whether such mani
festation Of depraved malice would pass
as respectable in the internal regions
Il takes a Radical tyrant aud Puritan
,aint to get down to the depths OF such
a diabolism, and even Of these, for the
honor of human nature, We are glad to
be able to add there are some who viii
not ,toop so low. The following honor
able sentiments on this subject are taken
from a Massachusetts, Republican news
paper-the Springfield Republican
The nobility of its language otherwise
indicates its fling at Southern women as
the result of mis.information, so COM
monty prevailing and controlling the
mind of its section;
We utterly failts sympathize with the
sentiment OF those who would forbid the
rebel dead to be buried side by side with
our own, When the great debt is paid,
surely il cancels all our petty. claims
When man gives up life bravely in The
front of battle, no matter in how bad
cause. IL not admiration, at least forgive
ness and pity are the natural triente oil
All generous hearts. These remarks are
suggested, or rather compelled, by oh.
serving that Rush c. Hawkins, colonel OF
one of those regiments which made the
name of Zouave detestable during the
war. took occasion in his speech at the
Union League rooms at New York, Thurs
day evening, to attack member OF the
club who had expressed himself IN favor
of a common burial of the Union and
the rebel dead. Such a man misrepre-
sents in every sense the feeling oil the
grand army-we do not allude TO Sc
cret organization by that name. 1t
should be left to Southern women and
Radical politicians TO exhibit such ami
mosities. No Northern father lamenting
his SON need feel wronged to know that O
dazzling of A yirrinian home lies by his
side; and Il the two soldiers, bravely as
they contelded in life, should become
conscious of that neighberhood, we have
no fear that their long last rest would be
disturbed. Rather would they clasp
their warning hands, put face to face,
and sleep like brothers reconciled;
Shame upon such unmanly bitterness
No true American will honor himself
more than by rebuking every manifesto
ton of this hate, that descends into the
grave. and makes separation between
the bones of gallant men. Out upon.
the thought that the rank and lille OF
the Southern army we're traitors and
criminals They fought honestly and
earnestly in bad cause, enduring In
many cases privation OF which our
troops knew little. They, marched
barefoot when our boys were well shod;
They went hungry when ours were well
6ned. They disputed every inch OF
ground with desperate vslor. and yielded
only to destiny at last They proved
themselves in life foemen worthy OF our
steel. and their mouldering bones may
we'll rest in peace by the side of our dear
est and brayest. Their differences with
us were all settled when they fell together
with ours on the Geld of honor. "All
that is left Of them now is only human.
Vengeance need not follow them into the
grave. Pity may weep over them. Pa
triotism may their failings, remem'
bering that they we're children of one
mother, and that their vslor sprang from
the same heroic stock. Beauty may
strew flowers upon the green mounds
that hide such courage and high resolve.