The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-20
The Lingering Embers.

The Richmond Times is nothing, il
not frank. After taking exception to
Henry'Watterson's eloquent speech at
Pittsburg inviting the Grand Army OF
the Republic to hold its next national
encampment in Louisville, the Times
proceeds:
This subject should not be discussed at
all unless it is treated with entire frank
ness and candor, and this leads us, there
FORE to say that we seriously question
the propriety Of the Grand Army of the
Republic holding its meetings in south
ern city. The Confederate soldier has en-
tire respect for the Union soldier, and he
gives him credit for the courage which he
showed in battle. Not only 80. but when
an individual Confederate soldier meets
with an individual Union soldier they
commune together with that cordiality
which always exists between men who re :
spect each other. But Reunion of the
Grand Army OF the Republic is MARSHALL
| ing in ranks of what was once the armed
force that met us in hundreds Of battles
and finally overcame aud subdued US.
| When that occurs in a southern city it is
presentation to us again OF the hand
that smote us. The individual Union SOL
dier presents no such idea, but the serted
ranks OF the old army, with its tattered
banners and ragged uniforms, inevitably
recalls to the mind the triumph Of the vic.
tor and the humiliation of the vanquished.
The graveyard Of ones enemy Is not
good place for the celebration of ones tri-
umphs over him. We cannot, therefore,
nd Of u n
hold its reunions in Confederate city, as
the place where it will find "the most alb
solute obliteration Of all that we want TO
forget" without sacrificing certain
amount Of our -respect-without invit-
ing an occasion which will be necessarily
humiliating to us, and one which must
necessarily arouse feelings that would not
be welcome to our guests.
Having said this much, the Times is
disposed to relent little on Colonel
Watterson, and to concede that the
following extract from his Pittsburg
Grafton contain "noble and patriotic
sentiments which have its "heartiest
indorsement:"
The purpose which brought me here, the
thought and hope Of those who sent me,
is wholly, purely national. We, like you,
love our country. Our dearest aspiration
is to see it great and strong. 1t has wealth
cred all the dangers that in times past as
sailed feudal systems and dynasties. 1t
has weathered all the dangers that sprang
from the peculiar conditions of our being,
the dark shadow of slavery, and the bale
ful influence Of disunion, the conflict Of
| jurisdiction between the state and the
federal power, and the confusion attend
ant upon disputed interpretations OF the
| organic law. The issues that made war
of sections possible have passed away.
| They can never be resuscitated. But every
age, as every individual, has its own prob
lens to solve, It's own crosses to bear, and
| those who are to come after us-who have
already arrived upon the scene-will need
| to meet, as we have met, the responsible
ties Of life. The best heritage that we can
leave to those into whose hands we must
ere long commit the future, 10 this good
knowledge. that what differences exist
upon the territory embraced by the United
States, vast as it is, are purely local and
external; that Massachusetts, and Missis-
sippi are, In reality, convertible terms, and
that IL needs but ten days and a change Of
change Of raiment to convert a typical
Vermonter into typical Texan. declare
this as the sum of my own observation
and experience as the result Of great and
varied opportunities for reviewing and
studying the character Of our people from
ocean to ocean, declare 1t simply, earn.
estly and shall maintain 1t always. Should
any one ask you whether believe It, beg
you to tell him that know 1t, and have
seen 1t put 10 the'test and proven many
and many time Upon 1t rest the case
Of the nation against its bigots. II the
future is to be as glorious as the past, 1t