The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-05-30
M%EMORIAL-DAY MUSINGS
Looking ~sackward-and Forward


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~ ing. One generation
NkxM2NV after another re-
~N verses the rulings Of
--M~MS those in whose foot
w. ~ steps they tread, yet
0G1 the world moves
w steadily forward.
leaving crowns for
the dead, unmiulful of the CROSSES borne
by the living.
This may seem hard, hut in strict jus.
tics 1t is right. With the quarter Of q
century that has passed since the sur
render by Lee of his gallant army, since
these years have disappeared in the misty
horizon oncs 30 near-with these have
gone the tears and the mystery, aud in
see that the critical world is right. The
fame of the dead is secure. That Of the
living Is not, and the prudent world re-
quires ample security for it's indorse-
ment.
This is a practical age Of a most practical
world, and mon of action, not theory, or
those capable of combining the first with
the latter. alone can become leaders and
rulers. Sentiment is reserved for the
few quiet moments: and hard sense only
is called into play during the many busy
the glorious struggle for rerpetuation Of
our nation as q whole; the men who led.
the heroes in that strife; who planned
n gained our victories; who lived
through the storms of battle to die
amidst the peace Of o united country
these men took no sentimental view of
the rev%olutionizing OF a world in which
they were engaged during the years Of
war. nor did they fail to understand. to
fits that would result from the then Law
ish %outponring of blood and treasure
which made ell nations of the earth to
look on with amaxement at the SEEM
ingly reckless. useless outpouring.
Fourteen years after the close of the
civil war, General Grant, in friendly con-
veis .tion, gave expression to views which
are to-day upon the pages of his per-
sonal history as grand testimonials to
his patriotism and which should be held
as q legacyo of wise council to the people
South. 1t was while on his homeward
trip after making the tour of Cuba and
Mexico in 1850. The man to whom he
spoke was a native of the South, though
q steadfast Union man" always. After q
brief review Of his political record, touch
ing here aud there nponincidents and re-
suits of the war, he unbosomed himself
u gave expression concerning the part
he took in the war, aud his ideas regard
ing its uses. as he was seldom known to
do before or to the day of his death.
The conversation turned upon the bat
ties Of Fort Donelson. Shiloh, and Vicks-
burg, when some personal "reminiscences
were mutually recalled.
I'm those battles, said General Grant,
1as in all conflicts of the war, I felt that
] was performing a duty for humanity as
we'll as for the nation. ] was not the
enemy Of the South. l felt no %exultation
at the slaughter Of her people. 1 never
felt in any battle as though 1 was fight
ing against the South or fighting for the
North. l felt that I was fighting for the
South, and for the North, and for the
whole nation, and fighting only against q
great wrong. 1t would have been o great
misfortune to the Southern people had
they been successful in arms and enabled
to establish a separate government. 1t
would not have been q government FASH
Toned after that under the Constitution of
the United States. 1t would not have
been q republic. It would have been an
oligarchy Of the aristocrats. and the
young men of the South would have been
reduced to competition with the slaves
in the struggle for existence. More than
that, the poor man Of the South would
to-day occupy o position socially but lit
tie above the negro. and he would be
equally at the mercy of the rich planter
aud slave owner. Now, you can see for
yourself the different state of affairs. We
have suppressed the rebellion and recon.
structed the Southern States.
You see the poor of the South in pos-
session of the country aud rebuilding for
tunes on the ruins of war: and YOU see
the young men of the South going out
into all parts of the United States en-
gaging In the professions and the COM
merce Of the country, building for them
selves regulations and wealth and help
ing to enrich their people at home. You
see peace in the North. peace in the
South, plenty everywhere and an equal
opportunity given the people Of all Sec
tons to better their condition in the pur-
suit OF wealth and happiness"
The result Of the war as General Grant
pictured 1t fourteen years after the strife
was ended is the condition that should
exist throughout the United States at
this day. IL 1t he not so, then the peace
which has been declared is not complete
aud the country Is not reunited. The
blood OF the dead heroes whom we glO-
rify ON each thirtieth day OF May; the
labors. sufferings and years of peril
daring of the comrades who on Memorial
Day strew the graves Of their fallen
brethren with flowers, all these have
failed to work ont the grand practical re-
suits for which each thinking soldier,
from lowest to highest in rank, braved
the dangers Of those terrible years Of war.
We arc brought face to face with the
fact that two classes Of citizens Of the
republic have arrayed themselves against
each other, not in the sanguinary con.
fitct Of arms. but in q dispute over Z ques-
ton Of civil and political rights, which
threatens internecine strife.
This disquistuds and contention is an
outgrowth, even after these many years,
Of. the war. II 10 an anomalous social
condition arising ont Of q peace that was
established by the sbitrament Of arms.
II IL . population Of the conditions Of Q
peace which was accepted as the only
alternative. :,
suppose the present dissensions,:: as
they sometimes seem to threaten, should
become 20 widespread and Of "a serious 8
nature % to demand Federal intsrferencs2
When . revolt occur against the laws
which are Necessary for the maintenance
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