The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-04
A Reply to "Grandfathcr.-

To the Editor OF The Times:
Sir,-Please allow me space I'm your
paper TO make a few remarks
In regard to Raid of Old John Brown"
by Grandfather" / fully endorse his
sentiments in regard TO John Brown
and his raid, and the attitude he has
taken in the monument matter, but
cannot endorse him Tor his unwarranted
attack upon the people of the North.
When a preacher takes a text, | like TO
see him stick 10 IL. Grandfather
text was John Browns Raid" yet he
takes the occasion TO resurrect all the
old rancor and bitterness before and
incident 10 the raid. He rambles for
a column and a half, from Genesis 10
Revelation" and in his ramblngs ne
can find no anathema or yituperation 100
vile to heap upon the heads OF the long
suffering North. Ii the people of the
North were such blackguards, villains,
and the quintessence Of all that is devil
ish. why were they so magnanimous to
their conquered foe? What was there
between the threats of every man, wo-
man. and child of the South and the
swords of those scOundrelly. Northern
rufiians depicted by Grandfather? Moth
ing but their generous hearts, and yet
Grandfather accuses these same Seuer-
Gus hearts of instigating John Brown
TO arouse the negroes TO commit upon
their masters and their families crimes
too hideous 10 mention.
Grandfather arraigns "Uncle Toms
Cabin" as "the most Infamous and most
ingenious and criminal SANDER ever con
ceived by mortal brain against a CHRIS
tan people" / fear Grandfather has
not read the book. but is basing his
opinions upon what could not be sus-
ttsff A
1t certainly deals most happily with
Southern life, drawing a most ideal pic
ture Of the relations of master and
slave. To be sure, IL draws one dark
picture Of cruelty, but doubtless this
is true OF some masters and their slaves.
Taken all in all. it is an encomium Of
the South, and not the base slander
attributed by Grandfather.
/ sometimes wonder, If Grandfather Is
a fair specimen Of the Southerner. what
would have been the fate of the people
of the North had the South conquered
il. or course. we can never know; all
must be conjecture, but it
seems to me that with such feel
ings as exist I'm Grandfathers heart,
such a result would have been most dis
astrous TO those loyal 70 the Union.
While Grandfather arraigns John
Brown so harshly Ga creature OF ue-
mented mind. how does he dismiss tho
fire-eater Brownlow. who turned traitor.
and drained, TO them the bitter dregs
of reconstruction He says: such are
the Inconsistencies and instability of poor
human nature under the syren's notes
appealing 10 ambition" ny does ne
not heap upon his head some Of the
anathemas put upon John Brown?
Grandfather opens his guns upon the
North in general but ends his article
by saving that these structures do not
apply to a majority, or any large portion
of the people of the North" poor
apology He wanted 10 say what he
did say. and could not cover it up in
that way.
In conclusion. I would say, Union now
and forever We are more closely in
terwoven than we think. \ writer in
last Sundays Times shows that the great
hero OF the North and the statesman Of
the South-Grant and Dayis-were second
cousins I'm relation; that Davis relations
are largely the very people Grandfather
is condcmnirg. People like Grandfather
should be transported. and then there
would be peace and unity.
As Grandfather uses a nom de plume,
I will follow suit. JUNIOR.
Oak Tree. Va. Aug. q, 1895.