Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-31
A VOICE FROM THE NORTH.
REFORE cor ANp coUNrRY.
A Prsmineut Boston Lswsrr aud Er-union
...s---~.... as,.-,oo., onf yornkef.


. ,r,,,,,eut Bes,ou Lswsrr aud EH-union
ofhoer vcrsss sherman and Fsraker'
In response to III invitation 10 are
union OF Confederate soldiers IN VIZ
ginia this fall Boston lawyer and ex-
officer Of the Federal army. who was
captain Of artillery, and who - for con-
spicuous gallantry at Fort Stesdman,
Virginia - Petersburg lines, March,
1861. was brevetted Major OF United
States volunteers, wrote Us follows:
am not using fancy language and
unIneauing compliments when say
should consider myself enjoying one OF
the most pleasing and honorable occs-
sions ever participated In since ] wore
the blue.
How happy ] should be to hear the
address Of the gallant General ID. IL.
Hill. partake Of the banquet, and, more
than all. 10 look into the faces OF the
brave old Confederate soldiers and take
them in the friendly grip OF clasped
hands with that profound respect and
mutual admiration ] know we enter
tain for each other.
" understand al this. To the
Home Guards such talk and such senti-
ments appear insincere and mysterious,
and because they Try TO make 1t so.
The politicians wave the bloody
shirt and make buncOmbe speeches. We
old soldiers-North and SOuth-are
not 10 be cheated with such stuf.
When we see such things done IN the
name Of patriotism and country we
treat it all a. simple taffy," pre-
sented by the desperate politician, VINO,
without reason, claim, or argument,
aims 10 secure some official position
deserved BY. and OF right belonging to-
. better man.
always suspect the honor and 10y
altv Of such ofice-seekers, and turn
away from them as the real enemies OF
the whole country and as men who are
striving 10 perpetuate sectional STRIFE
and animosity as their principal poiiti-
cal stock in trade, by means OF which
they hope 70 make successful appeals
10 the "rabble," and thus secure by
fraud and mean prejudice their own ad-
vancement III Office. thank God that
such men are fast disappearing from
our midst.
I believe the real, battle-scarred sol
diers, be they of the blue or the gray,
have had enough Of way for their time
though they may have shot In reserve
for some common enemy from abroad
should one venture 10 land upon the
shores OF our grand and dear old cOHn-
try. The soldiers ID our land, North
and South. have no desire, ] an sure.
10 stir NJ strife or embitter the happi-
ness and peace OF our broad land.
We are now and forever Americans .
brothers comrades friends living
now. and hoping TO 1--we II the long ia
ture-ourselyes. our children and
apdchildren-under the same nag
and same Union, the same President.
the same Congress. And Yet we may
have with all this our societies Of the
Army Of the Potomac and the Asso-
citation Of the Army Of Northern Nirgi-
MIA, our T. L. Lee Camps Of Confederate
Veterans and Grand Army OF the Re
public Posts our bands may play
without fear and cheer Us with the
strains Of Hail Columbia, Dixie. Yam
kee Doodle, Maryland, Ny Maryland.
the Star-Spangled Banner. and the Bon
ly Blue Flag % Johnny and
Tank, bareback and dodgers, hoe
axe and coffee 70 Us have their re-
.lindeIs OF the camp, the hospital, the
attic, the dead, the wounded, and the
ear ones at home the widow, the
fatherless all these are precious
10 US Of the gray and the blue,
and before God and our country
we do no wrong and commit no
sIu when these memories rush IN upon
Us. and We either weep or laugh as We
recount our experiences Of the war OF
1s6l-'5; and ] would not II ] could
have one less old army association OF
the boys II gray and blue. And now,
as more than threescore years have
passed II my life and probation, an
looking forward 10 the time when there
shall be no more war or rumors OF
war. Even nov we may sing together
IN our Confederate camps and Grand
Army posts the glorious old doxology,
IS Praise God, from Whom all Bless
mgs Flow, and " Nearer, my God. TO
Thee " and ] trust we NAV thus sing
until tine trump shall sound
the assembling before the throne OF the
KiDg Of Kings and Prince OF Peace and
of Love