Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-24
General JOe Johnston.

A great meeting Of old Confederates and
sympathzing friends should DO held IN
Richmond for the double purpose of honor
ing General JoHNsToN's memory and urging
that his body bc brought to Hollywood for
FINAL interment.
We owe it 10 him and to ourselves to
give public expression to the emotions
awakened by his death, and we know that
IL one man could voice the sentiments OF
the people of Virginia he would say,
bring the body to Richmond. Let 1t
rest IN Hollywood beside the dust of A. T.
HILL. STUART, PIcEETr. MAuRY, PEGRAM,
SrppoS. Extra BILLY" SMITH, WISE, and
twelve thousand others who illustrated
the heroism of our army from Big Bethel to
Appomattox."
Let US act at once.
The Governor purposed to order bat
tallion of Virginia troops to attend the
funeral. but was Informed that the cere-
monies were TO be without military accom-
paniment, and private, and hence he did
not issue the order contemplated. But
he, as the representative of Virginia. and
MAYOR ELLYsoN, as the representative of
General JoHSsroS's espousll of Virginia's
cause in 1861 was accompanied with great
sacrifice of personal interests. He was in
the highest position of any of the old
army officers who resigned to enter the
Confederate service. Already he had spent
the average of human lifein the uniform of
the Union. His rank was high; hisrecord
4 "a, p,, fsNf 4 bn
of duty were strong. He considered none of
these things Heart and soul pointed out
his path and he came to Richmond early
offering his sword. His administration Of
the affairs of the armies committed to his
control was able. His strategy, combined
with BEAURTGARD's dash, made possible
the victory at Manassas. His withdrawal
from the Yorktown line TO the defences of
Chickahominy drew MCCLELLAN into trap
from which he only escaped by chance,
and that after suffering great losses.
II fell to the lot of General JOHNSTON to
find no favor with President DAVIS after
the opening of that memorable contro-
versy which ended their friendship. He
had not only to struggle against the enc
my's odds, but against disfavor at his own
capital
Under such circumstances il is no Won
der that what he accomplished was under
estimated, and that in which he failed was
exaggerated. While burning with sense of
the injustice which he believed had been
done him, he yet bent every energy he
possessed in every post he was given.
Whenever his plans were interfered with
il was worse for US. Whenever he was re-
moved from command it cost the Con-
federacy dearly. At last, with the hungry
and addressed fragment of a once-power-
full army,it was expected of him TO check
the advance Of SHERMAN's victorious and
superbly equipped legions. He could not
do it. No mortal could have done it; but
he held out until LEE capitulated. Then
be surrendered, and he who had been
soldier for thirty-six years began TO fit
himself into the unaccustomed life of
citizen. This must have been hard upon
him. 1t must have been severe upon all
those whose lives had been spent in the
army and navy. Upon them peace came
with rude and violent shock, shipwreck-
ing them upon on unfriendly shore and
thrusting them into a bitter struggle for
bread
Considering all that he had undergone,
General JOHNSTON came ont of the war
with but little bitterness. He devoted
himself to the reunion of the country, and
drew to his side many northern friends;
General SHERMAN among Others. General
GRANT, too, always spoke of him with
praise His last two public acts were TO
unveil the monument here to his class
mate and brother in arms, ROBERT i. LEE,
and to act as pall-bearer of his opponent
in the field, but friend in peace, General
w. Il. SHERMAN.
His body ought to rest in Hollywood.
Steps will be taken to that end, and we
trust the consent of his family can be OBJ
tanned. We do not ask them TO think
about il in this moment of poignant grief,
but hereafter Virginia will press this re-
quest, and we hope with success.
Meanwhile Richmond must have me-
mortal meeting.