Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-09-05
TIE BLUE AND THE GRAY.

We cannot say that we are surprised TO
find the following in the Banner:
If the South uudS successful in the late
appeal to arms-then johnson must have
been wrong. If the South was not success
full, then it should be conceded that John
son was right. Either the Southern Dem
ocrat who helped to bring on the war, or
the Southern Democrat who helped to
avert it-are to come in for the "blasting
with infamy." Perhaps Mr.. johnson may
realize this. Whether it be those who
made stump speeches in favor of the war in
the South, or those other Southern Demo
Gratis who made speeches in favor Of the
Union shall be .blasted," is the issue that
seems to be raised between those Demo-
Gratis.
The Banner has evidently been willing
to blast with infamy prominent Southern
Democrats if thereby injury can be inflicted
upon the Democratic party. The Banner
cannot see how the blool y chasm is to be
closed, and reconciliation and peace estab-
lished between the people of the North and
South without blasting somebody with in
fanny. We do not admit that it is necessa-
~ for 'the Southern Democrat who helped
to bring on the war or the Southern Dem
ocrat who helped TO avert it' to
be blasted with infamy. We do not be-
lieve that the Banner can ever induce the
people of the South-the men of the South
or the women of the South-to ack owl
edge that elf the South was not successful
then it should be conceded that johnson
was right" While we have no disposition
to cast reproach upon Mr.. johnson or any
oneelse for standing fast by the Union, we
shall certainly do all in our power to avert
the blast of infamy from those who stood
fast by the Southern cause, even though
that cause "was not successful"
In another article the Banner says:
1t is amusing to disinterested outsiders
TO witness the uneasiness manifested by
certain class of Democratic politicians, al
the disposition of an old-fashioned Demo-
crat like Andrew johnson to compare re-
cords during the past decade. 1t is great
pity, perhaps, that old Democratic leaders
cannot dwell together in unity and concord,
but A. Us. defense of himself, it seems, re-
quires that he should make odious COMPARE
sons. The effect of this upon a certain
class of precipitate aud Southern Imperial
Democratic leaders is like stroking cats
back the wrong way-it not only makes
'the fur fly" but produces slight electrical
shocks, and, in dark corners, even sparks
of fire may be seen. There is good deal
of squirming, and dO5ging, and twisting
among a certain class of leaders.
This may be the perfection of ''indepen-
dent" journalism, but we cannot believe
that it is good Greeley journalism for the
South during this campaign. We do not
believe that Mr.. Greeley, if he were canvass
ing the South, would go into comparison
of "records during the past decade" He
would not feel that there were or could be
any "disinterested outsiders" He would
feel that it was matter which involved the
peace and happiness of reunited people
He would say: Men of the North and mer
of the South, forget that you have beer
enemies in the joyful consciousness that
you are and must henceforth remain
brethren. He would say:
Under the sod and the dew
| Waiting the judgment day;
Tears and signs for the blue,
Signs and tears for the gray.