The New York herald., 1875-09-17
Army Reunions.

The surviving members Of the Army of the
Cumberland are having pleasant time in
the charming town of Utica The reports of
the meeting show enthusiasm and fervor and
natural desire to recall the memories Of their
campaigns. 1t seems only yesterday when we
were reading the bulletins of the battles of
the Army of the Cumberland Yet more
than ten years have passed. The harvests
cover the fields which were then Redeemed
with the blood of brave soldiery. During
these ten years we have come much nearer to
harmonious reunion. We cherish nothing
of the war but its glory; we have no feeling
but respect for the valcr of the men who
fought against us. The exultation with
which our fellow citizens at Utica recall
their triumphs is paralleled by the JOY with
which the citizens of Virginia are about to
honor the memory of Jackson by erecting
his statue in Richmond. As time passes on
and the events of the war become moro
and moro historical, as the minor events
sink out of sight and the great colossal
features come to view, and we are enabled to
comprehend the real meaning of the awful
and inscrutable decree which determined
the war, these meetings and celebrations and
erections of monuments will have higher
meaning
We suppose that it is in human nature to
cherish the memories connected with an
event as tremendous i'll its consequences and
import as the civil war of America 1t might
be churlish and almost unpatriotic for us
even to seem to criticise these reunions" Of
the old armies, but we could wish that they
were more national in their character. The
danger of organizations like the "Grand
Army of the Republic" and 'the military
loyal leagues" and the societies" of the diff
ferent armies is that they may be diverted to
political purposes. In Amd&ca, where poll
tics take so prominent part, the tendency
of most organizations of this character is to
become political. The Grand Army of the
Republic" when twas first organized was on
its face a benefcent and wise institution.
Yet it has become, by various processes, a
mere tender to the republican party. The true
soldiers can do themselves no more injustice
than when they invite from the country the
criticism that their reunions are really politi-
cal conventions.
There is, moreover, higher consideration.
Mr.. Sumner did himself honor when in Con-
gress he objected to perpetuating the men,
ory of any event connected with the civil
war upon the walls of the national Capitol.
That was an act of far-seeing statesmanship.
We confess that we look with regret upon
any action either on the part of political
bodies or government assemblies that may
even indirectly perpetuate the animosities of
the war If these army societies gathered to
celebrate the downfall of the Confederacy or
to exult in their triumph over o discounted
rebellion, to vaunt their military prowess, it
would be mistake, not only on their part as
soldiers but as citizens. 1t is characteristic
of the true soldier that when he sheathes his
sword he is anxious to put it away. He
does not brandish it in time of peace.
IL would be we'll if our societies and diff
ferent armies of the Union would, instead Of
meeting together to celebrate their battles,
have O reunion of the soldiers of both sides.
The men who fought for tho North or South
should respect in each other the chivalry and
ga1lantrY and deYotinn, which alike marked