The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-06-09
Who is Right ?

of the Union dead. We did so the names
of the fathers and mothers, brothers and
sisters of these dead soldiers who are buried
far from home and where the hand of af-
fection can not care for their graves. We
considered that the action of the Raleigh
ladies vas noble, the more Sc ON account of
the trials through which they have passed.
They were not invited or expected to be
present at the ceremonies, for it could not
be expected of them. They showed their
womanly tenderness and goodness of heart
by giving the friends of the dead flowers
to place upon their graves. We are glad to
state that the ladies of the North have done
the same by placing flowers upon the graves
of Confederate soldiers. Upon the occasion
of the decoration of the graves of the Union
dead the graves Of Confederate soldiers in
many places received the same tribute. 1t
is the act of gentle women, who, considering
the far-of mothers and sisters of the dead
soldiers, do for them that which they cannot
do, care for the graves of lost loved ones
1t is noble action, no matter by whom
done, and the hearts of those who have thus
shown charity and tenderness have their
reward in the consciousness of we'll doing.
We are sorry to see that the Sentinel takes
it upon itself to rebuke those who have
thus shown respect for the dead. 1t
is unwilling that Southern ladies and
Southern men should in any manner
testify their regard for the dead, but
wishes to keep alive feelings which every
one who wishes well to our State desires to
be done away with forever. We are happy
to know that the article of the Sentinel is
condemned by nearly every leading Demo-
crat of the city, and that it represents only
the soured, malignant spirit of the writer,
not the views of the people. We wish to
see all such feelings buried forever. The
dead should not be the subject of political
rancor, nor the object of political hatred.
Such feelings are bad enough when directed
against the living; against the dead, they
are blasphemous. We intend never again
to allude to this subject, and only regret
that we are forced into our present remarks.
We have kindly feelings towards all,
and no part of malice or hatred shall ever
direct the course of the STANDARD while the
present editor has charge of it. In conclu-
sion, to show to the people the course We
have pursued in this m1tter, and to con-
trast it with that of the Sentinel, we give
the editorial of the Sentinel and the one on
the same subject from the STANDARD. We
commend both to the attention of the peo-
pie, that they may judge who is the most
Just, and whose course is best fitted to ad
vance the interests of the State and to pro-
mote that better state of feeling which is so
much needed by the people. The articles
are the comments of the Sentinel on the dec
Grafton of the graves of the Union dead,
and the comments of the STANDARD on the
decoration of the graves of the Confederate
dead:
[sentinel, May S1st.l ....
We observed good many stores closed
and also a good many open. We heard OF
a Confederate soldier telling his wife to give
them all the flowers in the garden. The
| Capitol was closed, Grape hung upon the
| doors and gloom upon the walls.
1t is proper and becoming in Federal SOL
| diers to strew with flowers, and water with
| tears, the graves of their late comrades in
| arms, but they should not expect the Con-
| federate widow and orphan to join them in
| Ill to {ha a4 4bn
baggers wait 1t is too soon to expect it.
| Neither the duties of charity, or christian
meekness and humility, require that our
ladies should turn out, or take part, or con
tribute to such celebrations.
We are not disposed to discuss this mat
ter; it should only be done with christian
genteness, moderation and forbearance.
We can tolerate the carpet-bagger, who
comes to make the men of the South abjure
or recant the doctrine ofsecession. Wecan
tolerate the sight of a carpet bag Secretary
of State, Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tions, Adjutant General, Professors in the
University, Judges on the bench, three
members in Congress and seventeen in the
Legislature, but we can't tolerate the arro-
eance which demands that widows, who
have not yet lightened their mourning,
should be required to strew flowers on the
| graves of the men who slew their husbands
in battle That sisters must furnish flowers
to decorate the graves of the men who
slew their brothers, is not to be expected,
and when demanded may be refused.
1t looks generous, well and forgiving to
see the victors in their magnanimity going
to the graves of the vanquisbed. They can
afford it. But it is another thing to see
| l. 6 &I,or NJ, n4,
ing flowers ON the graves of the men who
| slew them.
1.-THE STANDARD, May 11th.]
MEMORIAL CEREMONIES. Yesterday the
10th of May, the sixth anniversary of the
death of Stonewall Jackson, and the day
set apart by the Ladies Memorial Associa-
tion Of Raleigh for decorating the graves OF
Confederate dead, large concourse repaired
to the Cemetery near this city laden with
flowers, and scattered them upon the graves
of the gallant dead 1t was an appropriate
and touching tribute of love and respect for
the fallen brave. Mistaken though they
were in the cause for which they battled,
their bravery was none the less glorious,
their death none the less honorable. Close
bv each other lie the resting places of the
Unionist and the Confederate, the Blue and
the Gray. Each gave up their lives for the
cause they believed right, each is entitled to
respect 'Tis little the clay-cold forms be-
meath the sod, know of the hand that decks
the mounds that cover them with flowers,
vet it is sweet to far off friends to think
that the graves of their lost loved ones are
cared for by loving hands, and that their
! memories are still cherished, even though by
STRANGERS. With the end of life comes death,