National Republican., 1883-05-17
The soldier. Of tho Union.


The Soldiers OF the Union.
Eighteen years have sprinxled the silver
on the heads Of the soldiers of the union now
among us who participated In the grand re-.
view OF 1895, and has at the same time ripened
their judgments and moderated their feelings.
The cxuliant sense of triumph over foes has
been succeeded by a realization of the value
of the things gained--a union no longer mon
accd, and freedom made universal; national
authority nowhere openly defied, and
the southern people united in do.
claring the abolition of slavery a
blessing. The army veterans may well look
back with satisfaction at these results of their
courage and fidelity, and may look south.
ward from this southern city and congratu.
late the soldiers Of the ex.cohfederacy on
having lost the cause, in losing which they
became equal participants in the blessings of
tho general welfare under n grand and pro-
grcssive nation. Old prejudices are dying
out Tho people of the south are
gradually libyating themselves from the
balciul influences of the political dogmas
which brought on the war, and the
people of the north are growing in the desire
fora natioa which shall embrace all the people
and all tho states. The union and the con-
federatc soldiers can fratcrnizo on what is :
each with manly dignity forbcarng, If neces-
sary to discuss what t0aS. The blue and the
gray can now go arm in arm, not in further.
ancc of tho political schemes Of demagogucs
without hoarts or opinions, but as Americans,
who realize that they have but one destiny,
aud cannot afford to remain two peoples under
one flag.
Our veterans will not bate lot of their
ardor in recalling the part they played in the
greatest drama over enacted on the worlds
stage, nor will they meanly desire to stne
kindred emotions which will ariss in the
hearts of those who were once enemies, but
now countrymen. Both sides wooed victory
and the successful suitor need not be made
unhappy il sigh sometimes escapes his less
fortunate rival. The grand passion which
animated our union soldiers was not hatred,
but patriotism. They must then, in or der
to be consistent, rejoice over tho acces-
sion of every new recruit to the cause
of the nation. They have not triumphed
unless in time the union is to be restored in
the hearts Of the people. BY this we mean
the body of the people. As there are still
Bourbons in France, and adherents of the
house of Stuart in England, 80 in the south
there will for many years be men whose
hearts still rebel against tho new order of
things, and in the north mercenary spirits to
use them for selfish purposes. But Time, the
great healer, is teaching tho new generation
at the south the truth that institutions may
die of old age, and that growth and progress
are irresistible and universal laws.
The soldiers Of the union assembled at the
national capital cannot better advance the
cause of the union for which they so nobly
fought than by exhibiting a fraternal desire
for the complete reconciliation of tho people
of the two sections, We have now outlived
the period of epithcts. Wearo all Americans,
and none are "rebels" or TRAITORS" The
southerners fought for the anarchical princi.
pie of secession, in which they had
been taught to believe. They were
dragooned by few able leaders,
who saw that either slavery or the
union must go. The north saw the same
without admitting it. Tho irrepressible con-
ilict had 10 rage until slavery or tho union
was consumed. Let us rejoice that the nation
triumphcd, and forever honor the valor and
patriotism which has made it perpetual. And
let us build up the nation by fraternizing
with all of our countrymen who yield it
willing obedience, and who set the value of
their national citizenship above that of their
state.