The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-20
THE BAETLE FLAGS OF THE CIVIL
WAR.

u MAJ LAWS VIZ |
WAR.
No one who knows Mr.. Sumner can
doubt the purity of his motives in propos-
ing to obliterate the inscriptions which
commemorate great victories from the regi-
mental standards of the national army. A
humane and noble sentiment seeks express
sion in nearly all the acts Of that great
scholar and statesman, but not always
in wise and practical methods. This seems
to us clearly one of Mr.. Summers mis-
takes. Great deeds arc the common pro-
perty of the world. Their commentator
involves no provocation, because they are |
Invested Of partisan shading in the splen-
dor of heroic endeavor and selt-sacrifice. |
When men put their h0es at stake |
for great convictions, they are lift
cd into the region Of conservation.
It is the apotheosis Of the solditr
when he goes forth to die for his cause,
iohatecer that cause may be. We are sue
that no true soldier will ever feel offendt d
because gallant foe inscribes upon bis
flags the names of their hard-won battle
fle ds. 1t is mistake to suppose that the
men who fought in our civil war were
inspired by personal hate. Ifsuch feelings
began the contest, the men who met each
other in the field soonest lost it in mutual
respect and sympathy. There is nothing
more touching in all history than the true
ehvalrv which inspired the masses of both
armies in the later years of the war. 1t
was evidenced by innumerable exchanges
Of courtesies and deeds Of kindness. None
but towards and murderers retain feelings
Of personal hate in war. And to-day the
soldiers Of both armies are willing to con-
csde to each other courage, skill, brave
iortitude ard sincerity. They can
contemplate such other achievements
no. merely Nth tolerance, but with the
hearty admiration which a truly chivalrous
man will always yield to similar qualities
10 another. The great mass Of soldiers on
both sides were sincere in their convictions
Of duty when they marched to battle.
Though under hostile banners each felt the
inspiration of a great cause, and went out 10
meet death like a bridegroom to meet his
bride. And each won, not the material
OBJECT, but that prize more precious thar
tie grandcst trophies ever won, the glory
o. an exalted manhood, refined, dsciplin
ed, purified in the furnace blasts Of war
Every true man who served on either sid,
was made better for his service. No trul
80 der eau ever forget his battle day
while he retains spark of true manhood
in his breast. They are part of his yer,
life. They awaken 9ssthe most sacret
and touching memories. Around then
cluster all heroic aspirations and gloriou
achievements, and tho shades OF tkos
brave comrades who went down in tn
shock of battle only to be lifted int
Immortality as martyrs and heroes, foreye
more in the grateful memories of men.
Let their names stand. Let each flag a
II unrolls bear in letters of gold the name
of those places which yalor has foreve
consecrated. No true soldier will tax
offence, and no good citizen Of unite
country will take offence. To expung
the names would be an act Of sacrileg
without excuse. II we would wip
oat tho unpleasant memories {
the war there is better way
LIE. the nation see that every soldier VIII
served in the Confederate army and lost
limb has it replaced. Let the Soldiers
Homes be opened to the permanently disa
bled soldiers of both armies alike. LIE
moderate pensions be given to desperat
cases at home. Let the common dead {
both armies be made the object of nations
care their resting-plaoes be made beautft
o ID secure, and on each returning yea
s.rewn with flowers by tender and lovin
b lnAg.
Then instead OF expensive and useles
al FITS of granite or of marble, let us rec
near each dwelling place of the dead nobl
hall, filled with books, paintings sculptures
and all means and helps 10 education. Ii
u, dedicate these TO the memory of tn
81 lin heroes Of the war, and 10 the genius {
the new nation, to the men who tough
for conscience and Their cause bravely, an
WHO died for it, whether they were tn
r bel gray or the Union blue. Let thes
halls commemorate the brave dead, Will
they also aid in the glorious work of pre-
pairing us for future national life, majestic
harmonious, and unclouded by the dark
ness of civil strife.