Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-03-27

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the last vestige Of the late fratricidal
war, and to cultivate fraternal relations
with it's former brave enemies, invited
all the Northern members of Congress
to visit that beautiful Southern finland
city" Many accepted the cordial in
vitation, perhaps one hundred and
fifty. These distinguished gentlemen,
many of whom had never before been
south of Mason and Dixon's line, were
the honored guests of the "gem of the
seas" from the day of their departure
from Washington city to their return,
and we're not permitted to expend one
dollar for anything railway fares,
hotels, street cars, hacks, havana
cigars, champaigns, or anything else.
A splendid reception was rendered
them at the new Galveston Opera
House. Under each gas jet was sus-
pended q cage Of singing canary birds.
The large and beautiful hall was hand
somely and uniquely decorated with
orange, magnolia, oleander and other
tropical flowers, which grow indigenous
in that climate. The fragrant breath
Of southland, like the balmy odors
waited from the garden of Hesperides,
and cordial greeting of its chivalric
men and beautiful matrons and maid
ems were revelation to the stern war
riors and statesmen from the north
land, Of which they had never before
conceived, and their hearts were melted
to tenderness and love. Speeches Of
welcome were delivered by Gov. 81.
Lubbock, Gen. Z. N. Waul and other
distinguished Texan orators, and APP
propriate replies were made by illus
trious Northern statesmen and soldiers.
Among others was one by most SUI
perb specimen of physical, moral and
intellectual manhood, in the following
language, as near as can recall it
after the lapse of fifth Of q century.
z LLow-coUNTRYMEN For Irejoice that lean
now address you as such. / am a member Of
Congress from the granite hills of New Hnmp-
shire, Republican in politics, and am
ashamedfto say it is my first visit south Of
Mason and Dixon's line, but it snail not be my
last. Had our people visited more and become
better acquainted with each other, they would
have learned that they sprang from q common
ancestry and enjoyed the same heritage of free
government bequeathed by patriotic revolutions
ary aires, and there would have been no bloody
war of father against son and brother against
brother Since the day we crossed the imaginary
line between the North and the South, our trip
has been an ovation. had long heard of your
charming climate your fruitful soil the beauty
of your women, the chiyalry and vaior of your
men, and the UNIVERSAL hospitality of your
people, but the half had not been told me.
go back to the bleak hills OF my native land
O changed man. Never again will I speak,
or permit unrebuked In my presence, an un-
kind word of my Southern brethren. Your
country shall be my country and your God my
God.
Just before leaving the capital of our common
country the stately city named in honor Of
Washington, himself q Southern soldier and
statesmen, 1t was Decoration day. at the
Arlington National Cemetery the home of your
ilIustrious and godlike leader Robert .. Les.
In the peaceful home Of the chivalric dead there
sleep side by side in fraternal embrace the
halI0wed dust Of the blue and the gray, many
thousands of the former but few OF the latter.
blush to say that in the distribution Of the
floral bounties Of heaven, the product Of the
aarne blue skies and bright stars which eanopied
the sacred dust Of heroic Federal and Confed-
crate alike, the few mounds above the latter
were neglected and desolate. A little blue-eyed
maiden over whose golden head SCARCE eight
balmy springs had shed their glory God bless
the dear child with q tiny basket of fragrant
flowers in her dimpled hand scHttered some of
them upon these few neglected mounds. An
aged man, whose gray hairs, already ripe for
lesson OF human charity, In tones of severe
rebuke said to the innocent child: do you
know that this Is d rebel grave, and that its oe-
cupant fought against your father and your
country p With tears coursing down her vel
vet checks, she replied Yes, air, know that
but my father was o Union soldier, and In one
of the great BATTLES In the far Southland he was
killed. and now lies sleeping in q Southern
graveyard. and I Thought If | placed some sweet
flowers upon this rebels grave perhaps some
little rebel girl would place some sweet flowers
upon my father grave. Oh, sir, were you with
my father when he died?p @
No, my stricken countrymen, he was not. OF
he never could have employed, at such an hour,
the language Oh hate which found no Iodgment
Ia the breaat Of any brave soldier, blue or gray.
And now, my countrymen, let as. and our pos
terity, through all tho cycles of endless time,
emuiate the holy example OF this ChriHtiaI
[ chiid-.the example OF our blessed Savior, who
taught Peace on earth and goodwill to man s-
and we will forever remain one people, march
ing to the victories OF peace, which are migftiel
than those of grim-yiaaged war. under the pro.
tectipg folds Of one fiag and enjoying the glori.