The National tribune., 1894-09-13
WANT 1T NEXT.
Louisville's Ex-Confederate Citizens Making
Strenuous Efforts to Show Their Loyalty
and Secure as their Guests the GAR.

Louisvilles Ex-Confederate Citizens Making
Strenuous Efforts to Show Their Loyalty
and Secure their Guests the GAR.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: With knowl-
edge of the Southern people. especially the old
! Confederate soldier, gained by living among
| them since 1869, have been for years of the
opinion that 10 have better understanding of
each other socially, ID would be well for the
| Grand Army of the Republi to meet on South
ern soil, believing fully that the followers OF
tho "lost cause" are ready, eager, TO clasp
hands across the bloody chasm." and welcome
their former foe with that true hospitality that
has made Kentucky famous the world over.
The movement was at last put on foot, and has
been pushed with vim that can only mean
success.
But this letter is not for the purpose of telling
what has been done, but rather who did it, OF
course your readers are aware of the fact that
this Department desires The National Eucamp-
nent here in 1895; this would naturally be
inferred without the telling; but it is of the
Ex-Confedcrates that now write. Ever since
this movement has been inaugurated they have
been individually and collectively working
night and day for the cause They so far have
furnished most of the money that has been
subscribed. They hold imp portant positions on
the Citizens GAR. Committee, and~right
nobly have they worked, and l am con nfdent
with no other end in view than that Of having
the boys in blue once more in the outhland,
not as foes. but with determination to bring
about a reconciliation and heal the gaping
wounds that are kept open by designing poll
ticians.
But this idea can he better con nveyed by read
ing the following extract from the speech of
Capt. john II. Lcathers before the Citizens
X. Committee on June II. Capt. Leathers's
record as fighter for the lost cause" is un-
questioned. His reputation as a gentleman
nd busin nf thn y OH Orda Ia
his present loyalty 10 the old flag is grand.
The war between the North aud South has
been over now nearly 30 years. The youngest
of us who participated in that great conflict
are now approaching the autumn of life. The
most remarkable feature OF that great war is
the fact that the men arrayed against each
other in deadly strife for four years are to-day
friends aud brothers The highest evidence OF
patriotism that any man who was engaged on
either side can exhibit to-day is spirit of for
eiveness and liberation. and friendly regard for
those who were his bitter opponents in that
struggle
THE record of the war shows that the very
highest type of soldier produced in that great
conflict came from Kentucky. When the war
closed, by prompt legislative enactments intro
duced by Union soldiers, their Confederate
brothers were immediately rehabiiitated with
political equality, and the same blessing ex-
tended to them that they themselves enjoyed.
Why should we not be happy people;
brothers in fact, as well as in name; all in
spred alike by love of country, glorying to-
gether in the Same blessings we enjoy of being
citizens of the farest and greatest country OH
the earth?
"Where is it recorded in the history of any
nation or any people. except in our own history,
where the side that lost in any great conflict
were clothed with all the rights, political social
and commercial, that belonged to the victor?
Taad lin nf ha fpda tn-6a
occupy positions of the highest honor and trust
in this great Republic. They are represented
on the Supreme bench, in the Cabinet as For
egn Ministers and Am mbsssadors TO the greatest
nations Of the old world, and the sons of Con-
federate soldiers graduates of West Point
and the Naval school at Annapolis. And what
do the Confederate soldiers lack to-day in any
of the rights privileges that have accrued to ..
the Union soldier?"
The papers of the North have all published
the silly twadde of those cranks at Richmond,
and made editorial comments thereon; now l
hope the above speech will prove welcome
oasis i'll the torrid desert of crankism.
Another instance of the loyalty OF Kentucky
ex- Con federates. At large Reunion of ex-
Union soldiers recently held at Nun fordsville,
Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, prominent ex-
Confederate, who, no doubt, many of your
readers met casually during the "wah," was
requested to address the old soldiers. He COM
piled, and during his remarks said: 1--WE all
know now the war nad the proper ending"
Could the most fastidious ask more than this?
Further, these speeches go to show that the old
Confederates of this State are made of better
stuff than those who tried to crate themselves
into prominence at Richmond. During the
war large percentage of Kentucky people
were loyal; now, there is no ior the word
percentage for they are all loyal. c. FREE
MAN, Co. +, 18th Ohio, Louisville, KY.