The advocate., 1896-10-21
EDITORIAL.
REPUBLICANS IN A NEW ROLE.

y
his attacks on men who were engaged
In the Rebellion or who were in sym.
psthy with 1t; and If any Republican
journal or orator ever took issue with
him on that subject or unfaVorably
criticized his habit In that respect, the
ADVOCATE does not recall the psrtic-
ulsr instance.
And these attacks were not limited
to debates in the Senate. It has been
the custom of that gentleman to ex-
press radical views along the same
lines at army reunions and other oc.
caeions which seemed to him sppro.
pirate for such work. He objected to
the placing Of a monument over the
graves of Confederate dead at Chicago
and his objection was regarded as well
taken by the Republican press gen.
orally.
But a new tune has to be sung now.
A change has come over the spirit Of
the Republican dream. A large delega.
tion of meu who had served In the
Confederate army and are not ashamed
of it, called on Major Mex inley a few
days ago, and in the speeches of their
spOkesmen they told the Major plainly
that they knew he would not expect or
desire of them any retEaction or con-
fession. They were manly men and
they were not there to take anything
back. They were plain spoken and
candid.
In his response, the Republican can
didste for the Presidency told these
ex-C Confederate soldiers that the war Is
over and he knew of no more loyal
men In the country than they. He
welcomed them to his home and to his
party and said great many nice and
entirely proper things to them and
about them, while he barely noticed
the presence Of q large number of ex.
Union soldiers who were present at
the same time.
Another feature of the greetings was
the marching side by side of the blue
and the gray on approaching the Nc
Kinley home and In departing from 1t.
All these acts were In good feeling and
10 good taste. The ADVOCATE does not
condemn or disapprove them. We
merely mention the circumstances In
passing by way of showing that Re-
publicans have changed their policy In
this regard as we'll as with respect to
the money question, and we are inter
ested in observing how the change will
affect that class of men who are still
fighting the war Of 1868.
The following were the Majors part
ing words to his Southern friends:
think may be pArdoned II 1 say that
have great pride and qualification in this call
Of ex-Confederate soldiers Ib has touched
my heart profoundly. It Is probably the
Presidential candidate Of the Republican
party,or possibly OF any other party. regard 1t
as another and most significant assurance that
complete reconciliation has come and that
the South aud North, IS in the early lifetime
OF the republic, are again together in heart as
In name. 1t will quicken every patriotic
pulse from one end Of the country to the
other. 1t Is glorious example OF patriotic
devotion which might we'll be emulsted by
some people, both In the North and the South.
Few OF them happily there are, who would
profit by tanning the flames OF passion and
prejudice, by Rrrsying one portion Of our
country against the other. 1t ts peculiarly q
matter Of qualification to meet also at my
homo city and from the neighboring city Of
Cleveland, my old comrades Of the war with
whom fought on the other side from you
in that great conflict have given you warm
welcome and will tender you hospitality
while here and give you their love and bene.
dlction TO carry away with you when you 60 |
am honored TO have witnessed this scene and
day and bid you soldiers Of Grant and soldiers
of Lee
At the shrine Of this reunion
Dedicate your loves anew.
Rejoice all Of you and thank God that
The cause Of truth and human veal
Is transferred from the swords appeal
To peace and love.
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