The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-05-24
The Blue and the Gray.

claims upon the patriotic people of this
country, it is that Of promoting reconcile
alton, harmony and good feeling. In a
government resting upon the consent of
the governed, there can be no permanent
cy or efficiency without them. And the
idea that there is any natural antagonism
between the different sections of the coun-
try is one without any other foundation
than the distorted vision of extremists.
They who have purposes to carry out-in
whom the wish is father to the thought
can see or feign to see what they desire
They are pestilent agitators always, and
bane to any country.
These, however, are small, though
noisy portion Of the people. The great
bulk OF the population, the hard working,
planning, thinking classes, who prosper
when the country prospers, and suffer
when it is Representatives, in the whole
country, its union Of interests, its patriot
ism, and the prosperity of its future. 1t
IS upon the latter that any leaders or
any administration or any party, who are
pursuing a Just and patriotic course, can
safely rely.
When President Hayes called to his cab
met Gen. Key, not only life long Dem
ocrat, but a soldier in the Confederate
army, there was feeling of amazement
at the federation Of the new executive
at 50 wide departure from the practice
OF his predecessors. Democrats could
scarcely bring themselves to believe it
true or if true, that some deep laid plot
was not concealed beneath the apparent
Cancellation. But the new departure, in
the construction of the cabinet, has been
followed by the withdrawal of the troops,
and the consequent unquestioned admin
istration Of the Democratic Governors of
South Carolina and Louisiana.
In addition to these acts OF sound
policy and justice, there has come Il voice
from the Presidential cabinet, that has a
sound very soothing and conciliating to
the Southern ear, and that will power
fully aid in restoring the feeling of fra
ternity, Postmaster General Key, having
been invited to be present at Spring
Grove, Virginia, on the occasion of deco
rating the graves of soldiers in the late
war, sends the following graceful reply
WAsHINGToS, d. c. May 8.
DEAR SIR thank you and the committee OF
which Chairman for your invitation to at
tend Your memorial ceremonies Decoration
Day. / wish could attend. but my official duties
will demand my time and prevent my acceptance.
rejoice to hear you say that the soldiers that are
buried in your beautiful city of the dead whether
they wore the blue or the gray, will be respected
alike He who dies for cause which he believes
is ust may have done wrong in engaging in strife,
but he committed ne sin. He may have died a
Christian and honest man. The fact that the
Southern soldier stakcd his life on his cause mani
tested his sincerity. Say. if you please that he
at the same time that he was honest and brave.
Upon the grave of such one tears may fall from
kindly eyes and flowers be strcWn by loving hands,
without rcproach. Yours truly, ID. NJ. KEY.
There are those who will growl and
snarl over this kindly response, and in
dulge in filings about rebels and traitors
hut it will require more than these to
keep alive the feeling of resentment,
when the great popular heart, north and
south, has resolved to forgive and forget