Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-30
Give Them q Chance.

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
In April, 1865 the war Of the rebellion ended
with the surrender Of Lee at Appomattox, and
his tattered We terans returned to their homes
to resume as best they might their civil ecu
pations. As an immediate consequence of their
participation in the rebellion the late confed-
crate states were deprived Of their representa-
ton in the United States Congress. Gradually
the states were reconstructed and restored to
their positions in the Union, and, except in
few cases, the political disabilities of ex-con-
federate soldiers were removed; but all were
and still are. prohibited from serving in the
army or navy of the United States. Twenty
seven years have elapsed since Lee surrender.
During this time the ex-confederate soldiers
ing up on the ruins Of the
dreamy, agricultural south of ante bellum days
new south-busy, stirring, active-musical
with the sound Of the loom and illuminated at
night by the glare Of a thousand furnaces.
OF the ex-confederates Of IS many, pos
sibly the majority, have passed away, and no
sane person can now imagine that the sur
vivors could be induced by any means again to
attempt secession. They. better than airy one
else, would realize the futility of such an at
tempt and its absolute certainty to put a stop
to the marvellous progress which the south is
now making. Under these circumstances the
prohibitory act has manifestly outlived its USE
fulness.
since the 1Oul murder OF the unfortunate
men Of the Baltimores crew at Valparaiso in
October last no section Of the country has been
more thoroughly aroused to a sense of burning
indignation than the SOUTH and no body of citi-
zens is more ready to avenge the insult to our
flag than these same ex-confederates. should
the United States become involved in war with
Chile the presence Of these trained veterans
would infuse unmeasured steadiuess among the
hastily recruited battalons Of the southern con-
tingent could the government but have their
services. 1t Is manifest that the time has come
to repeal the prohibltory act, which is now only
irritating and impolitic, thus giving these ex-
confederates an opportunity to serve their
country and feel that they are no longer worse
than aliens in their own land.
The repeal Of this act will remove from the
statute books the last vestige of discriminating
legislation and the ex-confederate will realize
that he is in all senses fully citizen of our now
united country and endowed with freemau's
nobiest privilege-the right to defend his coun-
try in time Of need
In the present Congress partisan feeling has
been replaced by patriotism. Republican and
democrat alike stand ready to maintain our
country's honor and avenge the insult offered
to our flag. Let them now restore to her the
services Of the ex-confederates. Then, should
war follow, the men who wore the gray as well
as those who wore the blue would vie with each
other in displaying at Valparaiso or Santiago
the same dauntless courage which marked their
conduct from 81 to '65, and, with their blood
shed In u common cause, cement indissolubly
the union OF the states. CHARLES LAYTON.