The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-06-02
AN OLD SOLDIER
Appeals For the Blue and the
Gray Meeting Which is
to be Held Here.
Communicated.


The beautiful ceremonies of men,
,rial day, which we're celebrated yes
terday, had their birth in the land
IF flowers, and were inspired by the
devotion of the wise men Of the South
to their kindred, who fell in the war
between the States. Long before the
guns of Appomattox had sounded the
knell of the "lost cause" the decora-
ton of soldiers graves had became a
recognized and established custom
throughout the South. |
1t was not until our armies had
been disbanded, and the boys in blue
returned to their peaceful vacations,
that its tender and touching ceremon' !
les were adopted by the people of the
North. 1t is largely due to the
Grand Army Of the Republic, an
organic iticr that came into existence
since the war, that memorial day
became one of such marked impor.
lance. So general and extended has
It's observance become, that there were
but few graves Of union soldiers
that were not yelled yesterday
beneath covering of flowers.
The beautiful ceremony. common to
the north and south, teaches usa lesson
of mutual forbearance.
Across the graves We extend the
hand of friendship. Beside these
flower decked mounds the
BLUE AND TIE GRAY.
meet upon a common level. We are
united in our sympathy and respect
for those who in those days Of strife
were willing to rick their lives for
their convictions. In the presence of
our dead, all the resentments of the
past are forgotten. We are to, far
removed from those horrible years to
harbor animosity against those, who,
with a purpose ss fixed, courage as
high and convictions as strong as ours,
faced us upon the deadly battle lines.
Let US initiate the magnanimity of
our old comrades, tow ards those who
were too severe ia The dread arbitra-
ment of war. With us is the prestige
of victory, with them only the remem-
brarce OF heroic effort, sad mem OrieS
OF hardships and defeats, proud mem.
cries of valor and endurance unparal-
led in the history Of war.
We who wore the blue and fought
fer the perpetuity of the Republic
w,u'd be inconsistent should We op
pose any movement whose tendency
is to strengthen the bonds of friend
ship bstween the North aud Sjuth.
Four years of fighting was enough
f,r those who followed the flag. To
day the Blue and the Gray unite in
decorating the tomb Of General Grant
1t is Q fitting occ ision to recall his
oft repeated edmonton ''Lst us have
peace"
Twenty elk years ago the last organ
lied force of the
CoNFEDERACY SURRENDERED.
We are certainly far enough re-
moved from those sad years to dea
fairly with our late antagonists and t.
Judge leinently and impartially of tn
motives which prompted them to tax
up arms against the Union. The Wa
taught the combatant. of both sides
one valuable lesson at least, and tina
was mutual respect for each other
valor, and devotion to principles.
The proposed reunion of the Blu
and the Gray in this city on our CON
ing national birthday is a happ
thought. 1t is a movement in tn
direction of unity and good fellow
chip, a step forward to the consums
ton of that perfect Union whic
every loyal citizen go feelingly de
sires.
As the decoration of soldier
graves has become custom
COMMON TO ,TH SIDES
80 there is another common groun
upon, which the Blue and Gray ca
unite. I believe the ole antagonist
Of twenty-six years ago will come i
countless numbers, to renew again
not the animosities of the past, bu
the memories Of camp and field, til
experiences of dangers and pleasure
common to soldiers life under wha
ever fac they may have served.
Notwithstanding the p.otest {
s'Union" / do not believe that l. as
union soldier, can belittle the caul
for which fought. by joining in cue
a reunion. l yield to no person in m
devotion to the union. and / do NJ
think my loyalty can be impaired b
associating with those who were on,
its foes. While I have no sympatt
for the cansa for IN hinh thor, Enre.l,