The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-05-27
Gen. James Longstreet.


ate uniform, in Atlanta, Ga, on the lst
instant, at the ceremony of unveiling the
statue of Hon. Benjamin II. Hill, has
suddenly brought the name of this illus
trious soldier prominently before the
people, while his participation in the
ceremonies, wearing the uniform of q
Confederate Lieutenant.General, has
been the occasion of much newspaper
comment. Gen. Longstreet's party affil-
iations after the close of the war were
slch 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
complimentary, by those with whom he
fought for the establishment of the Con-
federacy, his recent appearance at Allan
tn, under the circumstances named, was
we'll calculated to surprise not only his
old war comrades, but to astonish those
of the political faith with whom he has
acted since the days of reconstruction.
The scenes in which he was bnt recently
one of the central figures, are thus des-
| cribed by a correspondent of the New
| York World, writing from Atlanta on the
list 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
tile South in tue mighty past are but the
natural outcome of people who love
their traditions above all things. This is
true, regardless of their political afilia.
tions. Look at this picture. While Mr..
Grady was exciting his hearers with elo-
qlent words Gen. Longstreet sat near
him. He was clad in the full uniform
Of Confederate officer. Next to Mr..
Davis, the most conspicuous figure of a
very noble event-indeed, over and above
all else-Gen. Longstreet's appearance
here illustrates the spirit of this ovation
to the Confederate ex.President. he
hss been Republican ever since the war,
constantly filing more or less distin-
gtlished positions under its different
national administrations. Ever since the
surrender at Appomattox he has been
against the methods of his old time Con-
federate associates. For this he has been
ostracised by the people for whom he
fought so we'll 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 tu Mr.. Da-
viz.
sat Montgomery among the names of
the honored Confederate soldiers which
are read upon flags and seen emblazoned
upon notices, that of James Longstree:
or "Old Pete," as he was familiarly
known among his soldiers, did not appear.
At every turn I could hear the old SOL
diers, who, for the moment, had forgotten
Che, animosities which politics had bread
ask: for Gen. Lngstreet.
"But the managers had left his name
ous of the long list of honored Confeder'
ate generals everywhere displayed.
Whether this desire of the veterans to see
their old corps commando or some other
motive dictated his invitation to this days
events is not certain. He was here, and
he was looking almost as he did when he
directed Pickett's faithful charge at
Gettysburg, struck Warren in the Will
derness, or threw his battalions with
irresistible force against Rosecraus 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
welcome the crowd gave him. At first
he simply rode in the procession like any
other distinguished visitor, but he was
the most striking figure present. When
be arrived at the grand stand and took
his place on the outside, he was escorted
to the platform and to the side of Jefer.
son Davis. This was the most touching
incident of the occasion. Mr.. Davis
arose and the two men were fairly clasp
ed in each others arms. For the mo.
ment all their old animosities were for.
gotten, and they again remembered the
days of strife. Thus they spoke fol
the first time since the war. After this
scene they took seats side by side. Each
hurriedly ask after the others health as
warmly as if the cruel differences placed
between them by the reconstruction pc.
riod had never existed. Itwas singular
sight and the people enjoyed and ap'
plauded this pathetic incident of the
reunion.
"After the ceremony was concluded,
Gen. Longstreet said to me: This oc'
casion is revival of harmless but
beautiful sentiment. The old soldiers
wanted to get together again, and this
was perhaps the best occasion for meet
ing. 1t means no disrespeet to any other
section of the country, nor is there al
evidence of disloyalty in the display"
eve all recognize that the war is over
and that all the questions then submitted
for decision to the sword are forever set
tied. Mr.. Davis, growing old, the peo
pie we're 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 interesting
and pathetic in Gen. Longstreeet's ap'
pearance and utterance upon this occa-
sion. It is the one new and significant
| ,,ho,o of oil fb;o n,olooua RI Mr. Davis