The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-15
ASKING TOO MUCH.

II IDt pFoDap&e tflhL ftSts
No S. O. A. r.. Of Tacoma, will memorial
ize congress to admit ex-Confederate vet
Grams 20 our national soldiers homes on
the same footing as ex-Union veterans,aad
even IL il does IL is not at all likely that
congress Will act upon the suggestion. The
war has been over thirty years. the way
ward states have been admitted back into
the fold. all political rights and privileges
are restored unimpaired. but 1t is improb-
able that forgiveness Will go so far as to
have placed as charges upon the national
government those disabled veterans who
sought 10 destroy that government.
The ieniency shown the South is not
eaualed in history by that of any other ma
ton that was ever victorious in a civil
war Within ten years after Less sur
render, the power that seeded was In
control OF the national house of represeu-
tatlyes In less than twenty years the
South had elected president, with whom
was a vice president who had been an out
and-out secession sympathizer. The first
Democratic cabinet contained two men,
both OF whom fought In the Confederate
army. The second Democratic cabinet
contains four men from the South, two of
whom were in the Confederate ranks
Three of the four members OF the SUI
preme court placed there BY Democratic
president were from the South and two of
them served as soldiers OF the Confed-
eracy. In the halls of congress. whenever
either house has been Democratic, the
Southern influence has been predominant.
In the last senate, for example, every one
OF the prominent committee chairman
ships, with the exception of that Oh naval
affairs. was held by man who was m the
Confederate service. and in the house the
speaker, who served in the Virginia in
fantry, placed men who fought for the lost
cause at the head of all the most import
ant committees, such as ways and means,
judiciary. appropriations. foreign affairs.
rivers and harbors and territories.
The South will hardly deny that she has
been treated generously. so far as partIci-
patton in governmental affairs is concern
ed. Those very individuals who but COM
paratively short time ago were seeking to
dismember the Union, are now administer
ing the affairs OF that Union which was
preserved in spite of them. The animosi-
ties that once existed are dying cus ana
the new generations. both North ana
South. vie with one another In the show
Of LOYALTY 10 a common country and re-
gard for a common flag.
The disposition OF the North now is 10
let by-gones be by-gones. The seeding
states have come back into the Union and
should be allowed the privileges of those
that always remained In 1t. So long as 1t
was decided as a finahty that they shouid
come back, and inasmuch as they are now
back. IL Is all folly TO keep old sores open.
with common aims and common pur-
noses. the destiny of each state is now
wrapped up in the greater and grander
destiny OF the nation. and, so long as the
past is forgiven. no states prosperity or
influence should be impaired by the fact
that it was SO unfortunate as TO allow
itself TO be carried away by the folly of
secession.
when a proposition Is set forth, how
ever. that the national government shall
care for tho disabled Confederate veter-
ans IL Will pFoudblE bt ApHi4N NittN Il N'A9
emphatic protest is raised at once. The
Federal veterans are assisted because
they preserved the Union. and it Will be
very difficult TO make a great many I'M
derstand why those who attempted 20
rcnd tho Union apart should be put in the
same category with those who proved
loyal 20 Il. II the government IS 10 ex-
tend SIS bounty 10 any one In the South,
those s.ho tried TO destroy that govern
ment would seem 10 be the last VINO. &C
cording 70 ordinary reasoning. are enti-
tied 20 g. There is such thing as ask
Ing for TOO much maEnantnity. ana While
finding homes for Confederate veterans
might Re an act OF sublime Christian char
ity and forgiveness. Il Is not IN accord
ance with the political ethics that have
prevailed in the past or are likely % pre-
vail FOR a good many years 70 come. The
South has had little 70 complain Of IN the
Way Il has been treated during the last
twenty years. but it Is relying 4 H;te TOO
much on the nations good nature n it
expects that self-same nation 20 took aft
or those who we're disabled while attempt
Ing 10 take its re