The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-14
The Flag Of a Happy and United
Country.
coNFEDERATEs HONOR 1T
At Same Time They Love the
Stars and Bars.
BANNER OF THE LOST CAUSE
Hon. Fabius Il. Busbee Replies in
Behalf of Confederate Veterans
TO Certain ThoughtIess
Criticisms.

Criticisms
10 the Editor: The following com
munication was offered at the office of
the Press-Visitor at p. IN. to-day, in
the absence of the editor, the state
ment being made that the paper would
go to press at p. IN.
Upon telephoning the Office at $3.50
D. m. the editor stated that it was too
late for insertion to-day, but that
space would Ibe given the next day. 1t
was thought best not to delay its
publication, and for this reason space
is asked for it's publication in the News
ssRaleigh. n. c., May 10, 1896.
az communication in Thursdays
afternoon paper and the article, which
accompanied it, if they are allowed
to remain without comment, may be
construed as representing the views Of
the ex-Confederates Of this city /
have no commission to speak for my
comrades, but my own convictions OF
NV obligations as a citizen Will not
permit me to remain silent. As boy
Of sixteen, after all lbhe romance Of
the war had given place to stern and
forbidding priyations, | volunteered
i'm the Confederate army, and, was, !
hope, fairly good soldier. 70 its
memories and traditions | trust / have
never been unfaithful, and no one
eherishes a more deep-seated reverence
for the immortal banner which is its
emblem. When the survivors of those
who followed Lee and Johnston as
semble to do honor to their fallen
comrades, nothing can be more appro-
pirate than that the fast-thinning
e c1,NT471
the flag which represents their cause
and illustrates their yalor. No brave
Federal soldier would wish 10 see it
otherwise.
''All true Confederates lovingly APP
preciate the Ladies' Memorial Associa-
ton, and its unfailing devotion to the
memory of the Confederate dead
"But there ought to be no misnn-
derstanding upon one point The Con-
federate soldiers are to-day loyal ciyi-
zens OF the United States, with all that
it implies, and they sincerely honor
and respect the stars and stripes as the
emblem Of a reunited country. We
teach our children to cherish its ira
ditions, and to feel, not to simulate, an
abiding patriotism.
THE North Carolina College OF Agri-
culture and Mechanic Arts is supported
in part by an appropriation from the
United States Treasury, with the stipu-
lation that among other branches
military science shall be taught An
officer Of the United States Navy is
detailed by order of the department
TO give instruction i'm this branch. The
students are armed with rifles, furnish
ed by the government, and in several
particulars, therefore, are connected
with the military service Of the United
States (just as the members of the
State Guard are) Every student Of
the a. and M. College was born many
years after the close Of the war / can
conceive Of nothing more inappro-
pirate than to ask that the Confederate
flag shall be borne by command,
part Of whose support is derived from
a Federal appropriation, and which is
commanded by an officer Of the United
States Navy. / should not respect such
officer if he were to consent to see the
flag, which he has sworn to uphold,
displaced by any other, or even laid
aside. A criticism made upon that
officer not pursuing course which
would have been inconsistent with his
oath, and would have subjected him in
all probability to court-martial, is, in
lily OpIHiOls uhWdTTdDbGU. ana G1lcu-
lated to do great harm. No man can
appreciate more than / do the I'M
faltering devotion Of our women to
the memory Of the Confederate cause,
but il should be clearly understood
that these memorial observances are
not intended to conflict with absolute
loyalty to the government and flag Of
our country. If it is otherwise, then
many will absent themselves. The
beautiful ceremonies at the unwilling
Of the monument to the Confederate
dead were sadly married, in the opin-
ion Of every ex-Confederate soldier
with whom | have spoken, by a want
Of due consideration shown to ex-
Federal soldiers, who were present for
the purpose of uniting with us in do
ing honor to the brayest men that
ever followed standard into action.
81 have no desire to comment on the
action Of anybody else, but as an ex-
Confederate soldier, voicing, I know.
the sentiments of very MANY whom /
have been able to consult, / desire to
enter my protest and theirs against any
criticism of the officer in command OF
the students of the A. and M. College"
FABIUS II. BUSBEE.
(This communication has been sub
mitted to and approved by a number
Of ex-Confederates)