Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-05-13

form, in Atlanta, GA, on the 1st instant, at
the ceremony of unveiling the statue of
Hon. BENJAMIN II. Hill, has suddenly
brought the name of this illustrious soldier
prominently before the people, while his
participation in the ceremonies, wearing the
uniform of Confederate Lieutenant-Gen-
eral, has been the occasion of much news
paper comment. Gen. Longstreet's party
affiliations after the close of the war were
such that he was ostracised by all his former
associates, and after lapse of tWenty-one
years, during which time his name was
rarely mentioned, and never complimenta-
ry, by those with whom he fought for the
establishment of the Confederacy, his recent
appearance at Atlanta, under the circum-
stances named, was we'll calculated to sur
prise not only his old war comrades, but to
astonish those of the political faith with
whom he has acted since the days of recon-
struction. The scenes in which he was but
recently one of the central figures, are thus
described by a correspondent of the New
York World, writing from Atlanta, on the
1st instant:
"There is no harm in all that has been
said and done, strange as it may look and
sound to those distant from the strange
scenes. These supercharged eulogies of the
South in the mighty past are but the natu-
raj outcome of people who love their tra-
ditions above all things. This is true, re-
gardless of their political affiliations. Look
at this picture. While Mr.. Grady was ex-
citing his hearers with eloquent words Gen.
Longstreet sat near him. He was clad in
the full uniform of a Confederate officer.
Next to Mr.. Davis, the most conspicuous
figure of very noble event-indeed, over
and above all else-Gen. LOngstreet's ap-
ovation to the Confederate ex-Presdent. He
has been Republican ever since the war,
constantly filling more or less distinguished
positions under its different national admin
istrations. Ever since the surrender at APP
pomattoX he has been against the methods
of his old time Confederate associates. For
this he has been Ostracised by the people for
whom he fought so well and sacrificed so
much Therefore, his appearance to-day at
the ceremony, was the most significant fea-
ture, not only Of its proceedings. but of the
past and future welcome to Mr.. Davis.
"At Montgomery among the names Of the
honored Confederate soldiers which are read
upon flags and seen emblaZoned upon mot
toes, that of James Longstreet, or "Old
Pete" as he was familiarly known among
his soldiers, did not appear At every turn
l could hear the old soldiers, who, for the
moment, had forgotten the animosities
which politics had bred, ask for Gen. Long
street.
"But the managers had left his name out
of the long list of honored Confederate gen
erals everywhere displayed. Whether this
desire of the veterans to see their old corps
commander or some other motive dictated
his invitation to this day'sevents is not GER
tain. He was here, and he was looking al
most as he did when he directed Pickett's
faithful charge at Gettysburg, struck War
rem in the Wilderness, or threw his battal-
ions with irresistible force against Rose
Grams at Chicamauga.' He seemed also to
enjoy wearing his old uniform again, and
the veterans eye would brighten at the
cheers of the old soldiers and the royal well
come the crowd gave him. At first he SIM
ply rode in the procession like any other dis
tinguished visitors, but he was the most
striking figure present. When he arrived
at the grand stand and took his place on the
outside, he was escorted to the platform and
to the side of Jefferson Davis. This was the
most touching incident of the occasion. Mr..
Davis arose and the two men were fairly
clasped in each others arms. For the mo-
ment all their old anmosities were forgot
ten, and they again remembered the days
of strife. Thus they spoke for the first time
since the war. After this scene they took
seats side by side. Each hurriedly asked
after the others health as warmly as if the
cruel differences placed between them by
the reconstruction period had never existed.
1t was a singular sight and the people en-
joyed and applauded this pathetic incident
of the reunion.
"After the ceremony was concluded, Gen.
Longstreet said to me: This occasion is a
revival of harmless but beautiful senti-
ment. The old soldiers wanted to get to-
gether again, and this was perhaps the best
occasion for a meeting. 1t means no disre-
spect to any other section Of the country,
nor is there an evidence Of disloyalty in the
display
ave all recognize that the war is over,
and that all the questions then submitted
for decision to the sword are forever settled.
Mr.. Davis, growing old, the people were
anxious to see him once again, and this was
the best time to do it. Probably it is his
last appearance among us. That is all this
demonstration means, and the right to this
celebration by both the young and the old
will everywhere be acknowledged. 1T
means nothing more than a reunion of old
comrades and the revival of never fading
memories. There is much more that is in
teresting and pathetic in Gen. Longstreets
appearance and utterance upon this occa-
sion. 1t is the one new and significant
phase of all this welcome to Mr. Davis.
Much as Gen. Longstreet has suffered in a
hundred ways at the hands Of the people
for whom he fought so ardently, he forgotit
all to-day in the common respect for the
civil head of the great Revolution in which
he was a commander second only to Lee.
1t mattered not to him that he had been shut
out of their homes and had been neglected
and despised. He only saw the approach
of the final wind-up Of the old Confederate
cause in the meeting of the soldiers who