The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1896-03-24
1.-THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
Southern Minister'S View Of the
G. A. R. Incident in New
York.


ofNthe most valiant of Confederate
scouts, when asked by the Harrods-
burg (Ky.) Democrat what he thought
oHthe refusal of the Grand Army Re.
public people to endorse the marching
in New York procession of ex-Con-
federates wearing the gray, replied
swell, I think We will survive it.
Indeed, it suits us if it suits them
You know it was no affair of ours.
The Confederates didn't ask or wish
or expect such thing. Nor do we
see how it could possibly benefit us.
1t ia not easv to imagine Confeder-
ate veteran in any need of it. We
are SO conscious Of our rectitude, go
satisfied with our record, so sure of
the vindication of posterity, that we
are content We have gained already
so largely the worlds admiration for
principle, prowess, endurance, moder-
alton, and moral worth that we are
not wanting Grand Army of Repub
lie favors. But we get honest tributes
in every book they print, in every
song they sing, in every eulogy they
speak, in every monument they set
up, Yin every pension they draw. They
canH glorify themselves without wit
h6ssing to the patriotism, valor, and
consistency of the southern people.
They may not love us, but they are
bound to respect u.s. We need not
turn. coats and go into the parade
business. 1t does seem sad, however,
that thirty years of peace have not
grown enough generosity in our
northern friends TO afford this scant
recognition of southern sincerity, her.
eism, and love of country. You
know that is all that it could have
be9n. And there is no possible peril
t0The Union--nor even an implica-
tioliDof bad intention--in the gray
uniform or its battle-scarred wear
ers.
"WIll the official correspondence end
matters ~ asked the reporter.
"Of course, Confederates can't now
join the procession. Self-respect for
bids. To cast off the coat he wore
and disown the flag that he fought
under-that bears the names, Manas-
sas, Gaines Mills, Cold Harbor, Shi-
lab, Chickamauga, Franklin, Chancel-
(lorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg
l-thd flag wet with the tears of fair
women and stained deeper red with
| the blood of our bravest-to expect
the old soldier to do that to get to
march with those people-is to expect
the impossible. In all the country,
! and in thirty years of public life, l
have met but one man that l think
was sorry enough to do that. It's only
|sonthern sentiment, or course, put
there's lots of it (, ] tell you'll"
swim it not be said that the old rebs
hack love of country and for the old
2hag ?" asked the reporter.
No! Their loyalty is like Caesars
|wife-has not been Questioned. They
love the country, the country, as
muah>as ever. They love Dixie bet
er than ever. Fire and sword, pill
age and poverty, and political sub
ection have made her doubly dear /;
when we forget her may God forget
rs! We try to love the Grand Army
pf the Republic men, but such slurs
lon't aid us much. Isn't it strange,
by,the way, that this bitterness be-
ones to the victors rather than the
kapauished? No such spirit lurked
n the invitation made by the Confed-
rates two years ago at their great re-
inion in Birmingham, to the Grand
Army of the Republic men to meet us
h Atlanta-thCci city sacked and burn
a by them in in 1864. There was no
wish to see them wear our uniform or
ast away their blue clothes, when
hey came last fall to our southern
louisville. They wore the garb in
vhich they fought, for they marched
the character of Federal soldiers.
but Confederate soldiers must march
some other costume or not at all !?
rery we'll! We can stand the snub-
Inc, The day isn't far distant when
HI nsen of soul; who admire valor and
bve liberty, who love patriotism and
sspect devotion to duty--all who
NV to moral worth and venerate
bod citizenship; all who appreciate
pc sublime In self-sacrifce for polit-
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