Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-25
rHR RLnE Am rHE GRAY.


rarely seen. There was q blending Of
the blue and the gray at Elmwood and
thousands we're there to witness the sim
pie but beautiful ceremony Of strewing
flowers on soldiers graves. For the first
time ex-Federals took a public part
along with ex-Confederates in the pro-
ceedings Of the day. 1t is true we have
lived here together these ten years and
long ago laid aside all differences, but
it has never before happened that both
sides united in paying honors to the dead
of the war. The graves Of Federal SOL
diers at Elmwood received the floral trib-
utes as we'll as the last resting place Of
Confederates. The survivors of both
sides, and even the battered old flags
were there to fully illustrate that we are
one people, with one government and
common interests. twas not conceived
for political effect, for politics should
never enter such sacred precincts, and
both parties were represented in orators
aud other prominent actors Of the occa-
sion. The people Of the South, and es-
pecially the soldiers, ceased, from the
surrender, to oppose the Union, and
those who fought for the Lost Cause
have ever since been most loyal
citizens. Many Of them feel
that actions speak louder than words,
and that a strict compliance with the
terms of their parole and the obligations
of law-abiding citizens are all that dig
nifty and self-respeet require. Having
proved that they are citizens in peace,
as well as soldiers in war, nothing else
could be expected Yet moved by a DE-
sire to see the last vestige Of prejudice
and misunderstanding erased from the
very memory Of man, our leading South
ern men in this intensely Southern, but
progressive Southern city, at the sugges-
ton Of Union man, invited the ex.
Federals to take part in a custom which
has been observed ever since the war.
They accepted promptly, and it was ar
ranged that both sides should march out
together, and that the heroes Of the liv-
ing-as well as the lost, cause, should be
honored; and 80 it was done. An IN
usual concourse Of people assembled
the largest ever seen in Elmwood, save,
perhaps, on one occasion. Everything
was propitous; the heavens we're bright
and all nature smiled. The old aud the
young were there; the men who had
faced death a hundred times on the bat
tie field; veterans Of the war Of 1872
had an honored place in the procession;
men who had foughtin the Indian wars
and followed the stars and stripes over
the plains Of Mexico, and men from the
North and South who faced each other
at Belmont, at Shiloh, at P~erryyille, at
Murfreesboro, at Chickamauga, and a
dozen other bloody fields, marched
10 the same procession side BY side
The ex-President Of the Confcderacy sat
on the platform. General Pillow, O
national fame, was by his side, and ex
Governor Harris and Major Gibson, o.
the regular army, and Car tain N. D
Menken, a gallant ex-Federal officer
ColonelJ. W. Jefferson, who Commanded
the Eagle" Wisconsin regiment; Hon
Hosea Townsend, who was captain IN a.
Ohio regiment of cavalry; DR.. W. W
Granger, a surgeon in the Federal army
who read the poem Of the day; Judg
james o.. Pierce, a Wisconsin soldier
who was promoted to a position on Ger
Washburn's staff; Major 7. B. Edginl
ton, Appointment lawyer, who was capital
Of a company in the 18th Iowa infantry
and dozens Of others who had risked the
lives and their all on either side, Sc
there in one group, respecting each othe
IS brave men always do. 1t was an al
spicious hour. The words spoken wer
in earnest, and while nothing new wa
said so far as reconciliation is concerne,
such a formal and impressive occasio
has not before occurred. II a few lea
ers on both sides had kept quiet and lie
our sectional differences to the soldier
at the end Of the war there would ha,
been little trouble. The events Of ye
terday will make an impress on Il
times in which we live. Political agit
tors will feel and see that they cam
misIead the people, and that the Sou
cannot much longer be calumniateI
The process Of reconciliation hi
been retarded by many untoyal
causes. selGshness, preiudices, al
billions and misunderstanding have CO.
tiuualIy interviewed. Hence, the sign
fcsnce Of yesterdays ceremonies.
was a reunion such as might have bee
had eight or ten years ago but for ba
p ons and the schemes Of rockies