National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-05-20
THE CONFEDERATE DEAD At ARLINGTON.

To The Editor n he National Republican:
SIR In your issue Of this morning, bo'h In an
editorial and a communication over the initial
a." nnd sentiments rejecting with much
severity upon the proposed decoration OF the
Confederate graves at Arlington on the SOth
instant.
When perused the notice Of this intention to
decorate the Confederate graves at Arlington on
the same day and at the same time OF strewing
flowers over the graves OF the Union dead whose
ashes slumber In q common grave, ] had no
thought or intention OF provoking controversy
on the subject. was glad to cherish the hope
that the tomahawk Of sectional dlsCOrd had been
buried aud that the swords so lately used In the
fratrIcidal contest between brothers Of the same
blood and nation had been beaten into plOw-
shareTs, and the bayOnet into prooning-hOOks,
and that we should know war no more But,
alas! l confess my mistake, II ! am to take the
spirit that actuAted the penning OF the COM
munlcatlOn alluded to above as criterion by
which TO judge Of the spirit that actuates and
CONTROLS that august association Of men known
rs the Grand Army OF the Republic.
Now, II this Is the spirit that rankles In the
breast OF him who fought face to face with as
brave and gallant q foe as ever drew the blade In
battle, then 1t is time that the people Of the
South were apprised that they are reposlng In
mistaken confidence upon the confines OF
We had hoped that the spirit OF dlscord had
been hushed, and that concord and harmony and
Christian forgiveness now actuated the motives
and actions OF the men and women on both sides.
For In the beautiful rhetoric OF the late lamented
Chief Justice Chase, "The magnolia laylshes Its
perfumes as freely, the pleasant air breathes as
softly, and the warm sun shines as brightly over
Confederate as over Union graves" And In
common with Mr.. Cha and other noble minds
have no sympathy with the spirit that actuates
those who concur In sentiment with the authors
OF those which appeared In your columns OF this
morning. II Is spawned Of night and possessed
pf the restless, wandering spirits Of Judas and
Arnold, who, willing 70 sell the King Of Heaven
and the blrthHght OF man, may be Judged Of
Heaven as too mean for He'll.
Nor, Mr.. Editor, did l stop to inquire, much
less 10 ask, OF the Grand Army OF the Republic
the privilege OF strewing flowers over either
Union or Confederate graves. 1t Is true the day
Is one set apart by the Grand Army for the deco
ration OF the graves OF their fellow comrades
cause OF the Union. But because OF this fact is
It any reason why the graves Of the Confederate
soldiers In the Arlington cemetery should be
treated with less respect than the Union graves
are treated in more Southern cemeteries, or Con-
federates whose remains Tepose IN Federal ceme-
teries at Richmond, Raleigh, Charleston, Sa-
vhnnsh, ASgqstaI Atlanta, Loslsyiiie and 3'aer .S
Confederate soldier he denied the poor privilege
at Arlington OF strewing the graves OF their
dead companions In arms with flowers, VIII en-
they are unmOlestedly permitted to do so else
where? 1t Is not the "lost cause" that they
would commemorate. II Is simple tribute Of
respect to those who In life were dear to thom
as fellow companions In arms.
There Is In this solemn ceremony proposed no
OstentatlOus display, no speeches TO be made, no
paradlng Of bands Of music or sounding OF
trOmpets TO disturb In the least the ceremonies
OF the Grand Army. No, there is no such thing
proposed. We merely propose TO Atrew flowers
over the graves OF the Confederate dead at Ar
iington on the same day that the Grand Army do
nrst, because there are many OF US who desire to
be present at the ceremonies OF decorating the
Union graves, and while there to decorate those
OF the Confederate graves; and, secondly, we de-
sire "a test the question OF the rights OF Ameri-
| can citizens TO peaceaby assemble In the con-
| scentious discharge Of high moral duty, "with,
out regard TO color or previous condition OF ser.
yltude," and without fear or molestAtion. We
| therefore trust our humble designs may not
disturb the peace and harmony Of this patriotic
| occasion, nor cause the Grand Army OF the Re,
public 10 lose It's equilibrium, for let me assure
that "noble band OF brothers" that we have the
kindest sympathies with 1t In this noble work.
METROPOLITAN.