Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-30
UNDER ONE FLAG
General Sehofeld's Letter About the
Loyalty Of the People.
he BELIEVES IN THEIR PATRIOTISM
Echoes &the Great Convention
SigheS at Appomattox.


sighea at Appomattox.
SOME HOPEFUL SENTIMENTS
The conditions prescribed by Gen. Grant
| at the surrer der at Appomattox in 1865
and the course advocated from time to
! time since by public-spirited and patriotic
soldiers OF the war to quiet sectional feel
irg, and bring about closer relations be-
tween the north and south, have received
more than ordinary attention during the
present year.
! Tho dedication Of the monument to the
confederate dead at Chicago; the meeting
| of the Confederate Veterans at Houston,
Tex; the annual reunion of the societies of
! the armies of the Tennessee and the Cum
berland; the dedication of the Chicka-
| manga National Park, and the opening of
the exposition at Atlanta, have all been
attended BY Union ard confederate soldiers
of distinction, who. while giving voice to
their. patriotism, have, with but few ex-
ceptions refrained from expressions cal
culated to revive the bitterness heretofore
ensendered when the causes of the war
and the question. who was right?' have
heen the chief topics of argument or elo-
quence. Letters recently written by I.ieut
Gen. Schoheid the last Of the great com.
manderS OF the Union armies and ever
the trusted lieutenant Of Lincoln and
Grant, are among the most valuable COM
positions presented as pointing out briefly
why the war was necessary, and the i'm
perative duty of those who fought and
survived IT Inc letters have never before
The first letter has reference to the dedi-
cation Of the confederate monument at
Chicago, and explains why United States
troops were not allowed to participate in
that affair: 1t is written by Gen. schofield
in his official capacity to Gen ]. C. Under
WOOD at Chicago, and in it, after express
ing bis regret that the United States
troops could not be ordered to participate
IN the ceremonies, Gen. Schofeld said.
This great event is a token Of The re-
1cicing which fills the hearts of all good
citizens of this great republic north,
south, east and west; that the wounds of
causes of bitter dissension have been for
ever removed; that allegiance to the stars
and stripes has become the one only stand
ara OF patriotism in the political faith. as
all throughout the length and breadth OF
this great land; and that we may now rest
assured that our posterity will be a united
people in this our beloved country for ali
time to come.
Battle sVas Necessary.
The diffelepcel which divided the country
in 1861 wass Of, that character which can
be decided sniynby appeal to the god of
battles. The decision was rendered at Ap-
pomattox, and no one has been so hardy
as to questf1n the inality of that decision.
The, confederate, soldiers then and there
after pledged their honor to accept in good
faith the Aanor&ble and liberal terms Of
fn.n hon hay tho Iy,,iN
to return to their allegiance and become
loyal and faithful citizens of. the United
States. The ksnion commander and his
comrades did ge& for a moment doubt the
he nor Of their hyave antagonists. But mil
lions of iOEalsRSople in the country trem-
bled with apprehension. lest that pledge of
good faith might not be kept The doubts
and anxistias Of that day have gradually
Il al d slowlNs been. dispelled, until now, by
B almost. YnifersAI. accord Throughout The
land. the ,bfaye men of the south are re-
ers of the. Constitution of the United States
and Of the. national honor and interests in
any contest which may hereafter arise.
Sectional political divisions are passing
away, The decision rendered at Appomat-
tox has borne its fruit,
49, Flag of the Confederacy.
The battle flag OF the confederate army
| now lies upon the graves of the brave SOL
Saers who defended 1T. while the glorious
| old flag of the Union floats on high, un-
I challenged by any at home OF abroad,
| throwing its protecting folds around all
who now acknowledge true allegiance tc
| the sovereignty 1t represents. The time
| has fully come when the veteran soldiers
| and the people of the country. north ana
| south, may rejoice together, with malice
| toward rome, with charity for all, and
| with peace in every heart unite in honor
| ing the memory Of the brave men whose
| blood was shed in the great contest to fully
establish the more perfect Union designed
| by those who framed the Constitution OF
| the United States. and to make this Ciion
perpetual But the flag of the confederate
states should never again be unfurled or
given to the breeze, even at reunion OF
| confederate soldiers. 1t belongs to the
! dead past which the brave confederates
pledged their honor at Appomattox shoulu
| be buried forever.
'While the government of the United
States cannot take part officially in hono:s
| paid to the memory of men VINO died IN
| the attempt to overthrow that government.
and while I cannot diveSt myself OF my
| present official character and responsibility
| as commanding genei al OF the army, as a
| nriyate citizen and as veteran soldier OF
| the Union give you my cordial and
| hearty sympathy in the tribute or respect
you are paying to the memory VI Souf
| brave comrades.
| The Houston Reunion.
Another letter on the same general SUBJ
| iect was written by Gen. Schoheld TO Sen
ator John B. Gordon, on the occasion VI
| the Houston reunion, which he attended
| After thanking him for the cordial recep-
ton rendered to him, Gen. schofieid said:
when the commanders of the great
| armies, which had SO fiercely contended
with each other four long years. agreed
upon the terms of a military convention
! in 1865 the world was astonisa-
| ed at the terms Of the convention:
| Nothing like it had ever before occurred
| in the history of the world. On the one
side the brave confederate soldiers should
cease for the future from all acts of war,
should go quietly to their homes, live there
in peace. and obey the laws. On the other
| hand, the Union commander should pro
| teot them fru4r-all moestation on account
| OF past acts, SO long as they kept their
| faith invioiate.
"Fhe meaning Of this inspired military
| convention was hardly understood by any
| at the time, but it's meaning has gradually
| been disclosed to the knowledge of mani
kind. The great purpose of that conven-
| ton was not simply to terminate the then
existing contest but to render impossible
| for all time to come any other sectional
| contest in this country. 1t was to implant
| in the heart of every true and patriotic
| American the feeling that the people of
! these great states are kindred people, that
. 1. to . q