Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-06-19
How Gov. Foraker Spoke on Decoration Day

Foraker delivered Decoration Day adj
dress at Richmond, Indiana, on the Both OF
May last. 1t was another sectional diatribe
another unfolding of the bloody shirt.
He read an extract from a speech of Gov.
Gordon, of Georgia, delivered at the Cen
tennial celebration, in which Gordon refer
red to the great struggle as something on
which the remote tribunal of history would
pass, and tod alone could determine which
side was right. Taking those expressions
for his text, the fiery little Governor of
Ohio proceeded to stir up the animals in
his own peculiar way. He protested against
such utterances, and said he never wanted
to see the day when rebel should be es-
teemed as much as URion man; and he
had contempt for the temper of loyal peo-
pie who could swallow such 'tgreasy non
sense"
We should think that the rawlings of this
sectional maniac, who can never look TO-
wards the South without his eyes becoming
bloodshot and his face paling with passion
ate hatred of one-third of his countrymen,
would become very offensive to the brave
men who fought for the Union. Brave men
are uagnanimous. Brave Union soldiers
are willing to concede the utmost sincerity,
at least, to their opponents. 'Loyal" peo-
body of the citizens of this country as were
concerned IN the endeavor to sustain the
late Confederacy were prompted by traitor
GUS designs. No man, holding the position
OF Governor of State in this great Union
should be SO ignorant, or SO misled by pre-
judice, as not to perceive at least this truth:
That the followers of Lee and jackson be-
lieved the cause they fought for wssea just
one, and that the result of that stern arbit-
rament to which they were forced to ap-
peal, has not changed single one in his
opinion. Issues can be settled by the
sword, but the principles involved live on
forever. The Governor of Ohio was a SOL
dier. At the close of the war, although
only boy in years, he held the rank of
Captain. 1t is pity that the splendid re-
cord which he made as q soldier should be
dimmed by his lack of honesty of thought
and of magnanimIty! Nothing 80 conceals
the glory of the soldier as the mantle of
the politician, or the role of the demago-
que.
Foraker's utterances may continue to ex-
cite the frenzy of the fanatic and ignorant
crowds in whose presence they are made,
but the men against whom his shafts are
hurled only laugh at his passion and feel
contempt for his character. The Southern
people say of Foraker just what Wander
bilt once said of the public. W.
Va.) Gazette.
GEMS. EARLY AND ROssER.
Gems. Early and Rosser have been making
memorial speeches, and have practically
said to the Northern spouters, '1f hinging
dirt is year game, here's at you." Gen.
Early speaks of Sheridan's twenty mile
ride, 'tas ten mile ride in ten hours, "thus
destroying all the poetry by statement of
hard, stubborn facts. He offers no apollo
gies to any one, and is especially severe up
on the ''atter-the-war deserters," claiming
they deserted only for gain. Gen. Rosser
is denunciatory, and to some extent he is
justifable because of great proyocation.
We have never thought it wise to place
ropes around our nccks upon every memoir
ial day, bow ourselves before OUT enemies,
and thank them if they should not hang US,
or feel especially pleased if they do not
spurn us. We should claim our rights, and
in all things act the part Of manly mon, if
we would prove worthy of our noble dead.
. Warrenton Inder.