Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-03
CHAT WITH DR.. CAVE
he EXPRESSES HIS APPRECIATION OF
LEE CAMPS ENDORSEMENT.
Did Not Speak Of tho Northern Soldiers
~ HIrclipgs-Had Friends ON
Both sides.

Rev. Robert c. Cave. whose eio-
ouent Grafton delivered at the IN
yelling OF the Confederate Soldiers
and Sailors monument here. May
goth. was so severely criticised by
some of the south-hating papers Of
the North, is spending few days at Old
Point before returning to his home, In
st. Louis lie was seen at the Hygeia
Sunday by a representative OF the Dis
patch. who spent the Sabbath at the
Point, and having his attention drawn
70 the action OF Lee Camp in endorsing
his sentiments by a unanimous vote. ex-
pressed himself as very much gratifed
that his veteran friends were standing by
him.
Dr. Cave was rather reticent on the
subject OF the criticisms that had been
heaped on him by the newspapers simply
saying I'm this connection that when the
time arrived for such action, he himself
would write reply TO them. 1T may
be-" said he that , may not find It
necessary TO make a reply
COLONEL MURPHY MISTAKEN.
During the course of the conversation
tNe speech OF tOiOnel JONI murphy
before Lee Camp Friday night was alluded
TO, and DR.. Cave said Colonel Murphy
was in error. when he said that he Cave
had referred in his Grafton TO the
northern soldiers as hirlings. Nothing"
eaid DR.. Cave, WAS further from my
intent, and j have seen Colonel Murphy
and assured him that ] made no such
allusion. l have now and always had
the highest respect for the true Federal
l..14 st.a IL
wore the blue were just as honorable in
their purpose in fighting for what they
thought 10 be the right. though ] feel
sure il was wrong. as We who wore the
gray were In fighting for what we knew
to be the right. Both sides were honor
able In what they did. could not have
made such a statement. and know that /
did not. In making my address / was ac-
tuated by motives far higher than mere
sectional feeling
FRIENDS IN BOTH ARMIES.
81 had many friends in the northern
arny-frends who were such before the
war--and j have formed many strong
ties since the unfortunate struggle among
the men who battled against the cause for
which l fought one Of my dearest
friends-an old collegemate, Mr.. John W.
Porter. of Iowa-fought under the flag OF
the Union. and Notwithstanding the fact
that we espoused opposing causes, our
friendship remained unbroken. We were
at Bethany College in West Virginia to-
gether, and shortly before the outbreak
Of the war. when every one realized that
a fight was imminent, my old school
friend said to me one day. Bob, there Is
no doubt but what war will be declared,
and | suppose you Will enlist In the
cause Of the South | assured him that
such was my intention. and he continued
Well old friend. you know where my
sympathes lie, and you realize. suppose,
that | will fight for the Union toid
him TO stand by his convictions, but as
sumed that not even war. such as would
most assuredly ensue could weaken the
ties of friendship that bound us together.
NV assumption, he said, was correct
one. and. in tones Of genuine affection, he
told me that If ever we met on the battle
field IL would not be as foes. nut as
friends and that we would ground our
muskets and grasp each others hands as
of yOre. -
with such a friend as That IN tne
northern army | could not have maze
any such statement as Colonel Murphy
has unwittingly charged me with' ana
am glad of the opportunity oil se'uhS
myself right on this score"