New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-20
rHE n1SnLNGrON CEREMONIAL.

The ceremonial at Washington yesterday
was dguifed and fitting tribute to one of
our greatest Generals. II was simple and i'm
pressiye; the Grafton which was pronounced
by Stanley Matthews was eloquent and full
OF IA generous cnthusiasm; and the statue
which was then unveiled and which will rep
resent TO many generations of Americans the
mode~ty and maniness OF George ii. Thomas,
was one Of rare artistic worth, in striking
contrast with many OF the memorials that dis
figure the corridors OF the Capitol and the
streets OF Washington. 1t need hardly be
said that the dedication of statue TO
George II. Thomas is an event of national
interest. OF the great soldier TO whom this
mcritod honor was pad, 1t ought specially to
be remembered that he was faithful under
foundations and against influences which
made many another faithess. lie was a son
of Virginia. lie was not only Southern
man. but a member of the Southern arstoc
racv. For five years before the breaking out
Of the Rebellion he had served on our South
EN- borders. He naturally held many South
erli opinions he did NOT, at least he did not
then, hate slavery, and he Is believed to have
regarded the agitation against it as mischiev-
Gus and uncalled for He thought that the
people of the North were the aggressors. Mis-
taken as he was this view. it is only fair
that he should have the credit of his cODvic-
TONS when his wise and patriotic course Is
considered. His language used at that time
might have been properly inscribed upon the
base of Ills statue: al have thought it all
lover, and shall stand firm in the service
"of the Governments" These were noble
words. They indicate reflection and courage
and conscience He put aside all sectional
feeling. He conquered what we call preju-
dices, though he might have claimed for them
nObler name. His brother officers faltered
and fell, while General Thomas fastened to
rejon his disOrganized regiment. His frst
service was in seeded Virginia, the State
which he had loved so well. So long as he is
remembered at all, this manly and virtuOus
conduct will not be forgotten. There was here
exhibited the same persistent determination
which won for him the laurels of Chicka-
manga and of franklin.
Virginia might well send.a portion of her
soldiers to Washington to share in the pageant
Of yesterday. OF all her sons conspicuous in the
great events Of the attempted 5, cesson. General
Thomas viii occupy the highest place in her
history, inasmuch as ne was wise when she
true when, against oil her traditions and better
impulses, she permitted herself to be dra-
gooned INTO disloyalty. When, in the very
beginning of the war, he turned his arms
against her, it may naturally be supposed that
in addition to his desire of preserving the
Great Republic he sought to rescue his own
State from the consequences of her folly. She
sees more clearly now what should have been
the path of her duty, and what immense ser
vices she might have rendered to the country
if she had remained steadfast to the Consttu-
ton.
No rule of moral or political ethics can re-
quire us to forget the great soldiers who
guarded us so well in war which we did not
seek, and which ii was impossible for us to
avoid. Such men are entitled to every grace
full and enthusiastic recognition of their price
less sacrifices. We owe them something more
than statues. We owe them that higher recoG-
milton of their services which will be best
proved by a stern determination that their
work shall not be rendered worthless by our
own neglect of political duties. To abandon
the slow process of reconstruction to the van
dial hands which made reconstruction neces-
sary, Is to disgrace the great epic of the Cum
berland by lame and impotent conclusion.
The good which great man does lives after
him when it inspires us, III our own minor
way, to follow his example. The duty of for
giving and the danger of forgetting stand
each upon Its own moral ground. He who
was yesterday honored, never knew when he
was beaten. and turned impending defeat
into victory. Ii Is for us TO emulate his honor,
to keep our faith in popular government,
whatever difficulties or dangers may arise,
and 10 insist that those who share the benefits
of the law shall curb their disoyal propen-
sites and discontinue those follies in council
which were thoroughly suppressed upon the
field of battle.