The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-04

An ex.Confederate Veteran opposed 70 the Pro.
posed Reunion.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Having read
several articles in the columns Of your paper
relative 70 . grand uai0n or parade Of tho
Blue and Gray sc the Worlds Fair in 1893, I
beg the privileges Of expressing my personal
sentiments iu regard TO the matter and ia my
presentation Of the question 7 may reflect tho
feelings of many who, like myself shared tbs
fortunes Of the Lost Cause"
am in ignorance Of the particular features
Of this proposed uniOn," whether 70 is de-
signed that the old soldiers shall appear in
the respective uniforms worn during the deadly
conflict Of the sixties, with the different ban
ners OF the contoudiug armies waving. or
whether u IS % be purely civic affair in all
IT'S appointments, II the former plan, + most
earnestly desire % express my solemn con
demuatIon 90 the lat er, I ontrcaJ tho friends
( OF the movement toa5andou it,--yes drop 10 nc
once and forever Although 1 believe a ms
JOrity Of the Old soldiers Of the Union armies
t5lt that their work was finished when the ast
armed iOe surrendered aud yielded obadience
10 Federal authority. when all the seeding
States wore restored 20 their normal relations
with the General Government When that
great work was accomplished they felt that &c
was their duty as patriotic citizens TO cultivat8
feelings Of fellowship and fraternity with those
whom they had settled the long standing cues
tions by the stern arbitament Of the sword.
Aud 10 is doubtless from this class 0f Northern
soldiers that the movement has recei we'd en-
couragement.
IL is not my purpose to criticize the motives of
any person or class who may be engaged in the
further1Hce OF this object, whether they ap-
prove or disapprove of the plan. Va occupy
different planes Of observation, and IL any re-
spectacle class Of soldiers or ctizons are hostile
TO the movement il should not be encouraged.
as 70 IS a feature of the great Exposition that
can without any loss or detriment be dispensed
| with. This plan % create amOre perfect recon-
. Citation between the Old soldiers Of the war
who arc fast drifting along to the further
shores Of time, might fail to serve the purpose
for which 10 was intended. Among true SOL
dier5 Of every class and cline there Is a natural
utilization; il is not exhibited alone in piping
times Of peace" but they will steal away from
advanced picket duty to meet and exchanges
| friendly greetings.
+ They may not parade together at ChicagO-T
I hope they will nOt-but no decree / care noe
how inexorable, can prevent them from COM
ing together as it were by the law Of gravita-
\ ton. Hands raised against hands 10 deadly
strife % years ago viii meet in a warm and
friendly grasp.
/ believe every State in the South has made
/ appropriations to enable their citizens 10 bring
forth the fruits of their labor. They are striv-
ing in worthy and patriotic spirit TO vie with
their Northern brethren 70 make our National
are. Bring forth the fruits Of your sunny
ciime, the products Of your mills and facsore
the handlwOrk Of your sons and daughters
Show TO the world ths marvellous aud almost
bOundless p Liabilities of your heaven favored
cline show that you are neither unfrieudly TO
your Government nor to any worthy and in
dustrious class Of people who may desire TO
cast their lot among you. Yours will Do
golden opportunity, not TO disarm lurking and
ungrounded suspicion OF your disloyaltY for
those that are not wilfuliy blind entertain no
such thoughts), but 70 show the marvellous
progress you have made since freed from the
dead weight Of human slavery You will be
able to show that You have progressed in every
branch Of industry far more in the last % years
than you could have reason to hope for under
the old regime in a thousand. Not al was LOSE
at AppOmattOX. Ours was the grandest victory
far surprising in its bBnofcient results all the
plaudits that could be bestowed upOn tri-
umphant army. True, you returned weary and
foot-sore, entesbled by want and wounds. to
homes made desOlate and fields made bare by
the rude hand of war, but upon the ruins OF
your former homes you have built castles.
Among the squalid huts of former slaves You
have built factories you have changed 70 di-
versiaed farming the pernicious practice of the
cultivation of your fields. The iron horse per-
vade8 every section of your country. and all the
marts of the North reach out with a hopeful,
longing hand to recei We the fruits of your sunny
land Capital and immigration no longer hale
40 the dead line of human slavery, but pass over
with unbrokeu step. the former seeking profit
able investment, the latter homes beneath
SUMMER skies. Cherish no unkind thoughts q
the dead past, for in the language Of the illus
triOus Grady, Our Statesmen committed US TO
a cause that reason could not defend or the
sword maintain in the light of advancing Cigili-
zlti0H. '-JOHS IT. CONNELL, Second Lieu
tenant, Co. d. 9Th Va. Cav, Coleville, CAL