The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-19
WAR MEMORIES AND SECTIONAL DIFF
FERENCES

statement of some Republican paper that
sin personal sense, as in public one, the
memory Of Brown is quite as much entitled
to respect and reverence as that of Jackson"
has the following to say:
"1t is hardly necessary to remark that the
article from which the above is taken, and
| Others in similar line, are only an ingenious
attempt to revive and infame sectional diff
| ferences' as a powerful element in the COM
| ing presidential campaign. A comparison
between 'StonewalP Jackson and John Brown
| is likely to have the same effect upon the av-
| erage Southerner as would a comparison be-
| tween George Washington and Jack Sheppard
| upon the average American"
This is the Southern idea very neatly put.
The extremists of the South, the men who
still believe the ''cause" was good one, and
who accept the situation only because they
are obliged to, are naturally proud of their
old commanders just as the North is quick
to honor the men who led the Union
armies to victory. But there is a
difference in the feelings entertained by the
people North and South. The former are
content to allow credit and honor to South
ern soldiers for their bravery and personal
worth while the latter seem unwilling to
admit of anything equal the virtue of their
own commanders. ''Stonewall" Jackson
was a Christian, personally deserving of
emulation. John Brown, also, was Chris
tiah, of different and ruggeder stamp, but
none the less sincere. Both men, individu-
ally, were manly men. To repeat the
sentiment quoted above, personally
one was as much entitled to respect
and reverence as the other. The
same is true in a public sense, with
the advantage decidedly in favor of Brown.
The Republican declares that "the best that
can be said of him is that he was an honest
fanatic" Can as much Or more be said of
Jackson? Brown struck hopeless blow in
behalf of human liberty. He aimed at moth
ing except to free the African from the hor-
rors OF slavery. His fanaticism carried him
into what he deemed the opening of a war in
behalf Of emancipation. He missed it but
two years when the friends and companions
of 'Stonewall" Jackson inaugurated
| wal COu4SoSSQlS III uSlOuoO VI
slavery. Jacksons fanaticism was
the opposite of Browns. While no less sin
cere, possibly, it had the misfortune of being
radically wrong in every feature. He placed
his abilities, his fortune and his life on the
line that so desperately fought to maintain
the sacred institution" 1t was more than
that Jackson did all in his power to dis
member the Union so that the Southern half
might still enjoy the fruits of the toll of I'M
requited labor. Jackson may have been
sincere, but he committed a crime against
human liberty and against the Union
The ''horrors" that Brown contemplated
were hardly more appalling than those in
augurated at Charleston on the day before
Christmas 1860. The only perceptble diff
surrection in behalf of liberty, and the
Charleston convention invited civil war
Brown was hanged for his fiasco. Nobody
was hanged for the appalling crime of re-
bellion ana civil war. The South is too
quick to resent imaginary 'insults." North
| ern friends of the South are even quicker.
The bitterness engendered by the late war
has not all been eradicated. What
remains prejudices. There are many who
admire John Brown, yet who are ready to
admit that he was fanatic. He paid for his
fanaticism with his life. Jackson, too, was
fanatical. Brown blIndly sought the good of
the oppressed. Jackson deliberately chose
to make war in behalf of slavery, and to es-
tablisb principle that would never have
! left the country without the danger of war.
These are facts OF history. Prejudice will
die with the present generation. The un-
| born shall pronounce the only verdict that
can stand 1t is vain to rant or recrim j.
nate History will make it all straight and
the name of John Brown will ever occupy
all honored place despite his mistake of
| judgment. He was such a great friend OF
the frendless that he gave his life for their
deliverance Greater love hath no man than
| this.
THE question of proper administration of
the public affairs in our large cities has be-
/ come the most serious one in the whole