Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-12

rams, who were once arrayed IN nvsui0
camps, mingling together. marcnns W
gether. holding high festival tosc.heI,
and uniting their voices In acciamsuons
OF fraternity, all proud OF our common
country. and rendering homage TO us nag.
Multitndes OF people would have comc
from ali parts Of the land to participate
IN the affair or to witness the spectators,
while the city would have been IN sA,s
dress, and the blare Of the trumpet Will
have been heard IN all parts or IL. Inc
occasion would surely have been memo.
rable, and the Fourth Of July. 1899, wouio
have seen a celebration In THIS CITY .ne
like OF which was never held IN tne
United States. -,
we baI news OF the enthusiasm with
which the plan was welcomed by many
Union posts and Confederate camps. IL
was largely favored by the veterans OF
the North and OF the South. the oimin-
lshing numbers OF whom are marked IN
the records OF every passing year Gene
raj j. Il. Gordon, the commander-in-cniel
OF the United Confederate Veterans, an
nounced his willingness to change the
time set for the annual meeting OF that
organization at Richmond, so That us
members might come hero in the month
OF July at the period chosen for the union
Of the Blue and the Gray.
III ~ 10 DC TckIcllCu thot oN.-~'~'
Walker, OF the Blue, set himself up
against the projected patriotic demon
stration. and declared his fixed hostility
to the Gray. his stern antagonism to the
harmonious association OF the two MS
torlcal colors. 1t was the attitude which
he assumed toward the project that pre-
vented It's realization. We were panied
by his ungenerous language. 1t wounded
the feelings Of many Union veterans, ana
.Ir was SO offensive TO the Confederate
veterans that all the camps OF them per-
emptoriy gave up the purpose which they
had formed. The design of the origina-
tors Of the project had been to allay Tor
ever any lingering luminosity whicn
might exist between the oid-tlme follow
srs of the two flags: but, alas! the words
OF General Walker had an influence IN
compatible with that noble design, ana
tended to renew feelings which ought
not to have any place in the American
bosom at this time, or in our generation
1r In the ages 10 come.
"A song for our banner? The watch
word recall.
Which gave the republic her station;
United we stand; divided we fall@
1t made and preserves us nationl
''The union of lakes. the union or lands,
Inc union or states, HOHe Sehh St'S,
The union of hearts, the union OF hands,
And the Flag OF our Union forever!
1t Is, indeed, most regrettable that the
commander-in-chiefo Of the Grand Army
If the Republic took position hostile 10
the sentiment of this exultant American
song.
Had he not done so. what a sublime
spectacle for our united country would II
have been ours to enjoy in New YORK
three months hence.
For the sake OF the city and or the
whole country, for that Of the Union
veterans and the Confederate veterans,
for that OF patriotism and of American
brotherhood, we lament that II was made
necessary 10 give up the hope or real
izing the great idea this year. Inc
triumph would have been one, not OF
New York alone. but OF Americanism.
But the idea is not dead. 1t VIII I'VE
until II is crowned with success. We
shall surely yet see 1t carried to con-
summation. New York will yet surely
rejoice In a stately manifestation or the
congenial union OF the Blue and the
Gray. The number of the veterans VINO
wore these colors is decreasing every day
OF the year Let US hope that the symbol
OF unity may be raised over the united
body. and that words OF benignity may
pass between its members before they
shall dwindle away, and be seen no
more.