The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-30


was torn by war. and invaded by the en-
envy. The genius Of the eonfederacy was
enthroned at the capital city. WAat
means could it devise 10 strengthen the
southern arms, and TO perpetuate the in
situations and rights Of the southern
states? The reply could only come from
Richmond. and the rest Of the south
watched the capital with eager interest
Again to-day the eyes Of the south are
upon Richmond. But the circumstances
are totally different. The spirit OF the
early Cos was aggressive, bitter, bold, de-
hant; the spirit Of these times, in which
the confederate veterans are assembled
in reunion at Richmond. is one Of peace
and fellowship, but which finds in the
heroic deeds Of the COS an inspiration to
nigh patriotism and noble sacrifices
for principle. There is no bitterness for
the past. Memories of the field and the
camp will be revived during the reunion,
but recollections Of the hardships in the
trenches and on the march will be soft
ened by the remembrance that Chicago has
built splendid monument to confeder-
ate soldiers. and that only a few weeks
| ago confederate soldiers graves at Co
lumbus, o., were decorated with flowers
and wreaths by survivors Of the federal
army. the former antagonists Of the
south's dead sons.
Not only will the southern states be
represented at the reunion. but many
| northern states as well. The northern
| representatives. it is true, will be for the
most part men who were born and reared
in the south. and who fought in the
southern armies But they are at present
none the less representative Of the new
north For there is just as much a new
north as there is a new south, and south
ern men have helped to make it. The
new north does not harbor sectional feel
| ing, as did the old north, led by New
/ England. and is ready to strike hands
with the south for peace, progress and
prosperity. The efforts and example Of
such men as Charles Broadway ROuss,
Roger A. Pryor, Hugh r. Garden, the
Inmans and thousands of others, AL
southern men, have tended to bring about
this era of friendship and good under
standing. Mr.. Rouss notably, while
| leading New York merchant and repre-
sentative Of the northern mercantile
class, is true to the memories and prin-
ciples of the southern cause, and has
given large sums of money for the preser-
walton Of relics and true history of the
lost cause And the whole country hon
ors him for his patriotic generosity.
The chief feature of the reunion will
be the laying Of the corner stone of
monument to the late President Davis.
While Mr.. Davis was honored and re-
spected by the south as man, this
monument will be more a memorial to
the dead confederacy than to Mr.. Davis
himself. He was the head of the new
and short-lived nation. He embodied its
hopes and aspirations. He directed its
destinies. Mr.. Davis and the confederacy
We're inseparable, but the man was less
than the cause. The shaft that perpetu-
ates his memorial must record the fact
that the cause which he represented was
the master, while he was the servant.
1t is altogether likely that this reunion
win be more largely attended than any
reunion of survivors that may be held
hereafter. Special efforts have been
made to draw out a large attendance
of old soldiers, and they have been sue
cessful. But when the next reunion Of
ex-confederates is called, there win not
be so great a number of veterans to
respond. Their heads are whitening, their
steps are becoming slow and halt, and the
! grip of their hands less firm. And their
| hearts
though stout and brave,
Still like muffled drums are beating
! Funeral marches to the grave"
Richmond has prepared a splendid re-