The National tribune., 1894-06-14
REcRupEscENcE OF REBELLION.

Richmond, writes us regarding the alarm
ing demonstrations there on Memorial
Day:
Some of the proceedings on Memorial Day
in Richmond, Va, were shame and dis
grace to the civilization of the 18th century.
No American citizen, who has any respect
for our common country, ought TO sat tamely
down and swallow such a speech as that
made by the Rev. i. c. Cave on the occasion
of the unvailing of the monument to the
private soldiers and sailors of the COnted-
eracy.
No matter what we may feel as to the
propriety Of erecting monuments all over
the South to perpetuate the memory of
Lost Cause still public opinion has toie-
rated it, perhaps thinking that the South
would finally come 10 see things in their
proper relations.
Is the Southern spirit of 81 alive to-day.
after nearly 80 years of peace? We can
only judge by the actions of those whom
the Southern people appoint as their spokes-
men. The masses in the South follow their
leaders as blindiy as they have always done.
Rev. Mr.. Caves address was cheered to the
echo by the immense throng who gathered
to do honor to the private soldiers and
sailors of what they call Lost Cause"
Nevertheless, Mr.. Cave declares that he be-
lieyes
"'The world shall yet decide
In truths clear, far-off light
that the South was right; that her cause
was just; that the men who took up arms
in her defense were patriots who had even
better reason for what they did than the
men who fought at Concord, Lexington and
Bunker Hill, and that her coercion, what
ever good may have resulted or may here
after result from it, was an outrage on
liberty"
His whole speech was an elaboration of
this idea that the South was right" He
boldly declared it, and the people wildly
cheered him. These people believe him;
they do not read and study for themselves,
as a rule, but depend upon what their
leaders tell them. This was true in 81; it
is true to-day.
What means this great show of rebel flags
on these occasions? have seen several of
these demonstrations, and each time have
noticed greater display of rebel flags than
on the occasion preceding.
For instance, the regular Memorial exer-
cises Of the Hollywood Memorial Association
took place early in the morning at Holly
NOOu NSutlSIy uE A1dJ oV. 4Ao PiaNOo Va
10000 Confederate soldiers were decorated
with flowers, and there was an abundance
of rebel flags. In fact, after diligent search,
/ only found two graves in the whole ceme-
terry that were decorated with United States
flags. One of these was the grave of
former Commander of the small GA. r.
Post at Richmond, and the other grave gave
no clue as to its occupants former life or
home
The grave of Jefferson Davis occupies the
center of circular plot covered with
carpet of rich dark-green grass and divided
by circular walks Of white sand. At the
head OF the grave stood large rebel flag
mounted on vase of ferns, close 10 which,
lying on the ground, was the rebel battle
flag designed in carnations, red geraniums
and heli0tropes. Two crossed leaves of sage
palm, tied with red and white ribbons and
star and wreath OF red and white flowers
also adorned the grave. Around the base of
the mound also was a garland of laurel
leaves and flowers.
Among the hundreds of rebel flags in the
procession that day, did not see more than
dozen or TWO United States flags. The
United States flags as rule, were carried
by the militia, notably the cadets, but the
p ace of prominence was given by the pro-
cession 10 the ensign of treason. / do not now
refer to the battle-scarred and shot-torn flags
that were in the war, or which there were
about 10 in the procession, but to bran-new
rebel flags. / mean that there are places in
Richmond where you can buy all the large
and small rebel flags that you wish. Like
wise, that people do buy Them and that they
are used there by the thousands for deco
ratiye purposes. Business and private
houses were decorated with them in pro-
fusion all along the line of march. The
use Of Old Glory" for this purpose was the
exception and not the rule. Where one
United States flag was seen, there were
hundreds of treasOn's emblems.
There was children's brigade in the pro-
cession. They wore a uniform of red and
white and carried the Confederate colors. ]
looked closely, and among all the flags car
ried by these children did not see half
dozen United States flags.
1t is no uncommon thing to see children
playing in the parks here and carrying these
small rebel flags. / doubt if these children
know which is the right flag to which they
owe allegiance. In fact, when the PROPOSE
ton was made TO the last Virginia Legisla-
ture that the United States flag should float
from all the school-houses In the State, the
idea was ridiculed as useless expression
of sentiment" One member sarcastically
suggested that it would be a good idea to
have them float from all the barns"
In the face of these facts it must be evil
dent to all candid people that there is
stronger motive for the use Of rebel flags on
these occasions than appears on the surface.
Either these people are wOfully ignorant, or
they love the Lost Cause" better than they
do the cause of our common country. No
man can serve two masters, "and we are forced
to the conclusion that the manufacture and
sale Of these reasonable banners is for no
other purpose than to keep alive the senti-
ments of the rebellion. Such proceeding
is base ingratitude and disloyalty, TO say the
least, and would not be tolerated In any
country in the world but ours, nor do
/ believe that it will be tolerated here when
| the facts are fully made known 10 the loyal
people Of the United States. repeat that
1t Is a shame and disgrace to our ciyiliza-
ton that the sentiments Of the rebellion
should be kept alive by incendiary speeches
and the general use Of rebel flags 80 years
after war which was fought 10 decide
these very questions which are now being
put forward as boldly as ever.
| Imagine to yourselves, in this year of grace
| 1894, city in the United States decorated
with rebel flags, a procession over which
| float thousands of the same banners of trea-
son. and an orator who declares amid
wild enthusiasm, 81 am not one of those
/ l. IL. \ 80. n