Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-04-04

estly desiring to bury face downward
the last vestlge Of the late fratricidal
war, and to cultivate fraternal relations
with its former brave enemies. invited
all the Northern members. of Congress
to visit hat beautiful Southern INLAND
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. campaigns, or anything else.
A splendid reception was rendered
them at the new Galveston Opera
House. Under each gas jet was sns-
pended a 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 We're a revelation to the stern war
riors and statesmen from the north
land, of which they had never before
conceived, and their hearts We're melted
to tenderness and love. Speeches of
welcome were delivered by Gov. L.
Lubbock. Gen. L. n. Waul and other
distinguished Texan orators, and APP
propriate replies We're made by illus
trious Northern statesmen and soldiers.
Among others was one by a most SUI
perb specimen OF physical. moral and
intellectual manhood, i'll the following
language, as near as l a recall it
after the lapse of a fifth Of a century.
FELLOW coUNTRYMES: For rejoice that l can
now address you us such, l am Il member OF
Congress from the granite hills OF New Hamp-
shire, a Republican in politics, and am
ashamed to say it is my first visit south of
Mason ard 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 a common
ancestry, and enjoyed the same heritage OF free
Grv sires. 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 tho North and the South, our trip
has been an ovation. l had long heard OF your
charming climate. your fruitful soil, the beauty
Of your women, the chivalry and valor Of your
men, and the universal hospitality of your
people. but the half had not been told me. I
80 back to the bleak hills OF my native land
or permit unrebuked in my presence, al un-
kind word of my southern brethren. Your
country shall be my country ana your GOD my
God.
Just before leaving the capital OF our common
country, the stately city named in honor OF
Washington, himself a southern soldler anu
"a, ~ uo .1OGrnrVfl1n unv" az th4
Arlington National Cemetery,'the nome or your
illustrious and godlike leader, Robert n. Lee.
In the peaceful home of the chivalric dead there
sleep side b. side in fraternal embrace the
hullowed dust of the blue and the gray many
thousands of the former but few OF the latter.
l blush to say that il the distribution OF me
floral bonnties of heaven, the product or the
same blue skies and bright stars which eanopled
the sacred dust Of heroic Federal anu Comet
crate alike, the few mounds above the latter
were neglected and desolate. A little piue-eyeu
maiden over whose golden head scarce eight
baimy springs had '.i. shed e ti ,heif ho sIofy1 Of }ras Dans
! flowers in her dimpled hand sc'ttereu so'iie "
them upon these few neglected monnus. An
aged man, whose gray hairs, already ripe 1of
lesson Of human charity, in tones OF severe
| reLuEe said to the innocent child; .Do you
cunant fought against your father ana your
! country? With tears coursins down net uei.
| vet cheeks. she replied: Yes, s1r, l h h9 .n nn
! bu1 NV father YVES Il Union soldier, sld IN one
| Of the great battles in the far Southiahd ne WIS
I;,iaI and now lies sleeping i'll u southern
GRAVEYARD. and l thought II | placed some sweet
flowers upon this rebels e IS grave a%ns p saeat flowers soa.s
little rebel sir lr you'd may pl2e Oh se sir, We're you with
10. my stricken M ee sn55IgHsS' At be su Gas an mo- Gca q.
| the language Of hate which forLd - S'usnanno
IN mt the t. Breast Of any brave solder, ang o or g poy.
esr5ist shf ths holy sty example e,s Of this cnrist tisa
chiid-the example Of our blessed ,nased3i 51 to man nno
i and to We sh Wi lict lofsssa Of paace. whidh are + m t,s nieE
than those of grini,yisssed wal ,Mio ,!iust Ih 81 plori.
tec.ing tolds Of one tisG and enjoying ''