The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-09
Americanism Has Bcea Subme rqed
BY Nuowumpery.
ONLY WAR Will. RELIEVE The STRAIN
Interesting Chat Betwcen Two old
soldier. who Fought on DiRrr-
emit sides ON Issues Of hay.

sfNins iehviuB NaNnviile were crowded
with visitors returning to their homes. 1
eat behind two gentlemen who were trav-
cling South, There had betp little or NO
conversation between the two travellers
until the train stopped at Franklin,
ia this Franklin. Tenn. - inquired ono
OF tho travellers. Yes" said the old gem
tleman who sat next TO him, "and a sp.en-
did country II rs. too"
II know II is." said the other. 1T was
good country thirty three years ago.
when I first saw 1t. liked II better than
any part OF the South that saw In those
days, but II was not good time to judge
the country or the people. wc had a hard
time getting to Nashville In those days.
General Hood tried TO stop us here at
Franklin. and nearly 10000 men were
killed on that dreadful day In November.
1864. But that was third of a century
ago, This time ! came to Nashville with
out opposition. In fact was Invited. and
what ] have seen and beard has pleas d
me very much. Yet ! can hardly realize
that have been TO Nashville aud am now
passing through the coirtry that marched
through In those dark days"
Further conversation revealed the fact
the one n Federal In the Western army,
Tho other Confedcmlo in Virginia. A
pleasant acquaintance was made and the
Two old soldiers talked in a friendly way
about war times, fought their battles over
again, and entertained each other with
stories OF war times. d. IDS OF valor and
many incidents that were alike patriotic
and full Of humor. The old Federal stated
that he came South shortly after the war
FOR the purpose OF binding new home
After remaining Few weeks he returned
home, disyusted with the poatical situation
In the South. He gave up all idea OF To-
eating In the South 80 long rs sectional
feeling and political prejudice prevailed
To such an extent. But he had decided in
his Old age TO make another tour OF the
South and II he found that thirty years
had allayed prejudice and softencd ani-
mos;ite, he would again look for a South
ern homo.
There was nothing remarkable IN the
meeting OF the two old sold ers. nor was
there anything OF uncommon interest In
their conversation. which ] overheard. un-
I'll late In the night, just before they
Parted They had about talked out on the
war; when the old rebel said to the one
who wore the blue; We'll. tell me how are
people prosperous"
No they are not prosperous" said the
one who fought for the Union. Conditions
are not 80 bad MS they were year or two
years ago. Wheat has brought gooi
price. There was good crop. and n good
zeal OF last years crop on hand. But every
body was In debt, and had been getting
deeper IN debt for several years There Is
more money row. Many debts have been
paid. ara the outlook is better than II has
been for several years But the people seem
10 be restless and dissatisfied Just what
the trouble is am sure don't know, but
do know that there Is great tlssatisfac-
ton and alarm among many good people
IL has been increasing for seveal years
ana has moi been cured even by the defeat
OF Cleveland
take IL that you are a populst and d
socialist said the ex- Confederate.
No." said the Oil soldier. Il am neither.
have never voted anything but the ie
publican ticket. and nest of my neighbours
are republicans But We have almost LOST
confidence in the republicans party. ] have
great confidence In Mf. Mckinley, but 4
the true American spirit is not revived un
der his administration | don't know what
the end VIII be. We fought to save the
y,
that the Union Is In moro danger today
than II was In 81. ia 81 we knew what
we had to fight. The iusue was sectioral
and We could locate the line OF division. 10
day the issue is not sectional. The enemy
III everywhere. II Is not enc State, nor ten
States, arraycd against the Union II Ia IL
class, or rather two classes The sociallst
is not the most dangerous class. In a cou,-
Try like this, where the citizen Is the SOW
erc.gn dangerous agitatots would nave no
following II there were ne just cause OF
complaint and no rea! alsrin. ! fear the
mugwunip more than the socialist. aboni-
mated slavery. and lad no patience with
secession, but we now have AL manner OF
new teachings which more seriously threat
en- cur institutions than did slavery or ee-
cesson. Mugwumpism Us about the most
un- American thing that ever took root In
this country 1t IL the offspring OF mo-
noroly aud allenlsm Conceived In an evil !
hour, II Is a reflection upon American man
hood and danger TO American institutions |
IL lacks the earncstness and patriotism Of |
tho Puritan, and II is without the sincerity |
and courage OF the Cavalier. IL IL a 70 |
litical deformity, representing nothing that
is American and having no aim beyond The |
upbuiidng OF a privileged claes that can
neither boast OF a noble ancestry nor hope |
for an honorable succession.
There must be some autidote for this |
poison in our political Institutions. some |
check TO this consolidation OF wealth In the |
hands OF few who have no sympathy with |
the people. and no respect for American In |
some relic. for the suffering and |
seryitnde Of the plain people. The triumph |
Of nugwumpisp Is the decay OF statssman-
ship. II Is sapping The life oLt % the Ma. |
ton and chilling the energies and spirit NJ |
The people. IL WAS the earnest 1afr0tlsm |
and the snieHdid statcsmBnship ot Lincoln |
that quIckened the American spirit nH3 |
saved this country from disunlon II will
take the lofty spirit and intrepid patriotism |
Of some man 10 save this country from the |
Internal dangers tina, threaten us TODAY.
A war with Spain would revive the spirit OF
unite all ssctiors. and si,e
rs relief fer while at ieast from this
curse OF toadyisn."
The old soldier spoke with much earnest
meas. The tone OF his voice and his manner
attracted the attention II other passen.
gers who smiled or spoke approvingly OF
what be said. Nor wss the cid rebel the
cast Interested Of those VINO had been liz
sning to the somewhat lengthy speech de-
-. a r. - 4 49,. L