The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-04
PATRIOTIC SENTIMENTS OF THE pRoBApnn sue

PATRIOTIC SENTIMENTS OF TIE PROBABLE Sue
CEssoR OF THE LATE SENATOR ANDREW
JoHNsoN-THE ERA OF GOOD FEELING.
IRON the Lebanon (Tenn.) Herald, July 25.1
The following letter was sent by General w. B.
Bate in response to an invitation to attend the
soldiers reunion at Spring Creek, wilson
county,
NASHVILLE, July IS, 1875.
GENTLEMEN-I am IN receipt OF yours OF the 10Th
inst, inviting me to participate with you, on
Wednesday next IN the social gathering and pa
triotic ceremonies that are to take place near
Lebanon, on the occasion OF the reunion OF the
members OF the Fourth and Seventh Confederate
regiments. | am under obligations to be at the
court in Charlotte that Gay, oy an engagement
Voke. Though absent In person my heart
Will be wltn you. | highly appreciate sucn
reunions a. q means OF exciting our love
for our country OF impresslng its history
upon us ana those who are TO come after us; OF
measuring up many choice bits OF personal camp
and bartie Incidents which never viii be written,
ana o. letting tue world know that Confederate
soldiers, though outnumbered and cOnGuerea in
the late Interstate struggle 40 not feel oIsnon-
oTed nv their defeat after such nohle a M nhivai
rous effort. Nor do they (ex-Confederate soldlersl
yield precsdence 10 any la love OF country ana in
ness.
Having ence accepted these terms imposed by
the arbitrsment OF the sword, they would forfeit
that honor winch is desrer than life TO the true
soldier, were they to act otherwise than In the
best OF faith. Our honor as soldiers and integ-
rlty were nearly all that was left us In the
midst OF our defeat; and 1t should be the pride,
as 1t Is the duty, or each or us 90 pre-
serve them untaInished, 1t is source OF
the highest qualification for me TO know
that eX-COnlederate soldiers, as class, are
making the best OF citizens and that they sustain
their representative men In their patriotic efforts
TO rebuild our broken affairs, TO heal the wounds
ana close the gaps made Oy relentless war. with
ali our misiortunes, however consequent upon
TIE late terrible struggle we have not, at aay
time. lost sight OF the Tact that this IS orr coun
try, and the only one In which we have a special
iuterestthat It's glory Is our glorV-its shame our
shame-and that 10 Is both patriotic ana manly
for US to vie WITH our late adversaries In q gem
er0us way, ia eleYatlng, strengthening and en-
nObllng It, To do this it Is neither REQUIRED nor
expected, BY the brave and generous 0i our late
Toes, mat We as ex-Confederate soldiers,
ton dlsplayed by our late somrades; that
we would cease TO drop tears over Che
graves OF our fallen brothers, nor 60 shout
peans OF praise in memory OF heroes who though
defeated did not lower the standard or human
excellence nor stain the escutcheOn OF American
prowcss. Eaeh OF usNeels a just pride in The ais
tOric reputation OF those who opposed us in
battle and am glad TO see that this feeling Is
being reclprocated by those against whom we
iougnE Inc cloud whica overhung us and our
loved Southland since the war Is BREAKING ana
the silver lining Is beginning to drape the edges
OF It's scattered fragments, Indicating the an.
proach OF an era OF good feeling None are 40
deeply interested in this as we are and none will
greet IL with a more genuine welcome
Iregret cannot be with the Scared Veterans
OF the Fourth and seventh at their reunion and
VITA them enjoy the hospitality Of their generous
neghDors aud friends You VIII please accent my
good wishes for an auspiclous and Joyous DAY
next wednesday Your friend, WM 3. BATE.