Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-06-04
A Day Of Reconciliation.

Perha ps the most notable feature of the
observances of Decoration day this year
was the general good feeling displayed be-
tween representatives of the two armies
which so short a time ago were opposed in
deadly conflict. Onlya year or two ago the
proposal in Wash ington that ex-Confeder-
ate and G x-Union soldiers should unite in
this service of respect 10 the memory Of the
fallen produced much unpleasant feeling,
but last Saturday and Monday, in many
cities and towns, soldiers of the northern
and the southern armies cordially cc-op-
era ted In the decoration of the graves Of The
dead of either cause, thus giving the best
evidence that they all now esteem them
selves Union men. In several places ad-
dresses were delivered by representatives
of both armies which in every instance
were characterized by fraternal and char
table spirit that IL is a satisfaction to con-
template. 1t is apparent enough that Mr..
Summers proposition to erase from the bat
tle-fiags of the regular army the record of
victories won over fellow. citizens would
TO day throughout the land he moro col di-
ally approved than ever before.
In Cincinnati the committee OF arrange
m ents for Decoration day sent formal in
vitaton 10 an association of officers OF the
southern army 10 participate with them in
the ritual OF honor, and the Invitation was
pied in the most graceful manner. Ooe
of these officers was appointed an assistant
marshal, and another, Major II. v. Reid,
ma de short address al the cemetery-an
ad dress which must have Weakened deep
and noble emotion in the hearts of those
who heard II. II is hardly possible to i'm
agine anything more honorable and salts
Tying under the circumstances
''That flag we honor and respect not your flag but
ours; yours and together, heritage bequeathed
to grand forefathersas brOathed life into
= nation. Here in these sacred grounds, in the
of our fallen braves wherever they rest in the
of the widows and orphans wherever found, in the
name and by the hope Of common NATURALIZATION
der you my hand and with it the hands and hearts Of
the Confederate soldiers Of this land Let the thistle
that for many years has sprung from the graves Of
fallen dead and pierced hearts be aud fol-
evermore replaced by the violet and the lily. And
while to-day you tender and We receive the olive
branch, let the heArts-eAse forevermore deck the
graves Of fallen heroes. Be assured, sir, that
hereafter the only rivalry that shall exist between
shall bo to who shall do most henor to
dead by sustaining and supporting this our common
flag Of our common country"
In Sandusky, Ohio, The graves both of
Union and Confederate States soldiers on
JOhnson's Island were decorated by ex I'm
ion soldiers. At Memphis, Gen. Forest, in
a note TO the committee, said he appreclat-
ed and sympathized with the spirit of
frie ndship aud reconciliation which has
lately been exhibited between those who,
with equal courage, met 50 often as foe
men, adding; "Thero can now be no hate
nor bitterness, since all have now one flag
and one county, and there ought to be no
enlargement or sectional antagonlsm."
But perhaps the most remarkable mani
festation of this fIaternal sentiment was at
Little Rock, Ark, where but short lime
ago it was represented by interested poll
ticians that there was the most venomous
and irreeoncilable hostility 10 the Union.
All places of business were closed, and the
whole population, black and white, united
in 'oint service OF decoration of the graves
of the dead Of both sides. The speakers
stand was erected half on the portion of the
cemetery where The Union soldiers are
bIIied and half on the portion devoted 10
Confederate soldiers. Tue United States
district judge presided, and addresses were
delivered by general of the Union army