Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-30


leaving Gowns for
the dead, unmindful Of the crosses borne
by the living.
This may seem hard, but in strict JUS
tice it is right. With the quarter Of a
century that has passed since the sur
render by Lee of his gallant army, s,nce
these years have disappeared in the misty
horizon once so near-wlth these have
gone the tears and the mystery, and in
the clear atmosphere OF the afternoon We
see that the critical world is right. The
fame of the de ID is secure. That of the
living is not, and the prudent world re-
quires ample security for its indorse-
ment.
This is Il practical age of a most practical
world, and men 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
working hours. The men who died in
the glorious struggle for perpetuation of
our nation as a whole; the men who led
the heroes in that strife; who planned
and gained our victories; who lived
through the storms of battle to die
amidst the peace Of a united country
these men toc no sentimental view Of
the revolutioniZing of a world in which
they were engaged during the years of
wal, nor did they fail to understand, to
predict and to advise the material bene-
fits that would result from the then Law
ish %outponring of blood and treasure
which made all nations Of the earth to
look on with amaZemeat at the SEEM
ingly reckless, useless ~outpouring.
Fourteen years after the close of the
civil war, General Grant, in friendly con-
vels ,tion. gave expression to views which
are to-day upon the pages of his per-
sonal history as grand testimonials to
his patriotism ana which should be held
as a legacyo of wise council TO the people
OF this nation, especially those Of the
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 a
brief review OF his political record, touch
ing here and there upon incidents and re-
and gave expression concerning the part
he o in the war, and 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 Nicks-
burg, when some personal "reminiscences
were mutually recalled.
In those battles, said General Grant,
as in all conflicts of the war, 1 felt that
l was performing a duty for humanity as
we'll as Tor the nation. I was not the
enemy Of the South. 1 felt no exultation
at the slaughter of her people. 1 never
felt in any battle as though I 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 a
great wrong. 1t would have been a great
misfortune to the Southern people had
they been successful in arms and enabled
to establish a separate government. It
would not have been a government fash
toned after that under the Constitution of
the United States. 1t would not have
been a republic. 1t would nave been an
oligarchy of the a~ristocrats, 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 a position socially but lit
tie above the negro, and he would be
equally at the mercy of the rich planter
and 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 nos.
session of the country and rebuilding for
tunes on the ruins of war: and yoa see
the young men of the South going ont
into all parts of the United States en-
saging in the professions and the com.
MERGE OF the country, building for them.
selves regulations and wealth and helm
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 it fourteen years after the strife
was ended is the condition thai should
exist throughout the United States at
which has been declared is not comnleto
and the country is not reunited. The
blood of the dead heroes whom we g)o-
rlfy on each ihirtieth day of MAY; the
!abors, suiferings and years of peril
daring Of the comrades who on Memorial
Day strew the graves of their taijan