Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-17
TUESDAY. ......,.AUGUST IT, 1891
,,rnATm.LsTEAD AND THE C. A. II.

In the following letter Mr.. Murdt
Halstead replies to recent eomihu''lo"-
ton of Captain Cussons and disclalms
having written the editorial in question
The newspaper article referred TO APP
reared In the editorial columns OF the
BROOKLYN Standardization, OF WHOM MI
Halstead is the editor. and the Dlspatch
gave Mr.. Halstcad credit for writing j"
and CAPTAIN Cussens followed in our loot
stems We took it for granted that II had
either come from Mr. Halsteads pen, OF
had been written by another and adopted
bv him as his Own--he being the RESPONSE
Bile editor Of the Standardization. But
so Ear from having read the article be-
fore it was printed. Mr.. Halstead APP
pears not to have read it even after 1t
was published in his paper! This is re-
markably odd; but really it is not a
matter Of consequence. as Mr.. Halstead's
letter will show. Here it Il:
Brooklyn, n. y. August Il, 1897.
To tho Editor OF the Dispatch:
find in the Dispatch Of August l2th'
a letter dated at Glen Allen. Va, August
10th and signed John Cussons gentle
the pleasure TO make, in which my name
is frequently used as the author of an
article that 1t happens l Gid not write
and have not read. and II 1t means
disposition to stir up ancient strife be-
tween the people Of the North and South,
/ do not give II my cOuntenance 90
not know the details OF the troubles, rear
or fanciful. growing out OF the proposeo
excursion OF the Grand Army to Rch-
mOnd. Va.
| heard Of the invitation Of southern
soldiers TO northern soldiers TO visit the
old Confederate capital. with pleasure,
and OF some incidents OF fault-iinding,
that did not seem important with re-
greet. for had hoped the occasion would b.
ono enjoyable. instructive aud wholesome.
l ala not write about il in the standard
Union. because il was my feeling the
subject was delicate. and should be treat
ed by soldiers; that perhaps the less sac
the better: for the true line 10 follow was
10 avoid irritation. The artcle attrl
buted so freely TO me was written by q
soldier. who thought the discussion mean
that harm might come OF IT, SO far as
know the sentiment Of northern soldiers
they are favorable to that which makes
for tranquility.
Once. as a Journalist on a battlefield
i came upon group of Confederate
prisoners and had talk with them.
young man OF a North Carolina regiment
when / asked from what part OF tina
state he came named the county IL
which my father was born. and said III
was I'm the army because it was the par
of manhood to go. and he only hoped
this trouble could be fixed up somehow.
| recognized the old peculiariues o
North Carolina speech-certain accents
words phrases-and the homespui
clothes and bits of fine needlcwork
was touched with profound sensibility
and remembered the traditions familia
In boyhood OF Currituck and PasquotanlS
by the Albemarle Sound. would b
glad to 20 10 Richmond TO see the bo
IN butternut | met in the field. on IN
left at Fredericksburg, and l should no
seek to rub up points OF difference Wit
him. | would not care TO so into IN
debates Of the Charleston convention 0
1850 May 1 add that l read with clos
attention and respectful sympathy, IN
story OF the Confederate reunion a
Richmond al the unveiling Of the Privat
Soldiers Monument? | enjoyed all G
the reports also. except some passages G
speeches that, IL seems TO me. will hav
TO become less feryid, and judicial i
temper. before they are accepted a
history But l am persuaded the Grim
son glow viii pass away In ali section
OF our landed inheritance from the elO
quence that Is inaccurate. ! want IN
land 10 be solid. and favor the extinC
tion OF volcanoes. A few days ago
protective tarin bill became a law OF tn
United States aided by the votes OF men
bers OF Congress from half dozen south
ern States. and that 10 me seemed a
event that. In business way. promise
a future OF the peaceable union OF IN
people OF all the States-the burial fci
ever OF the sectional political difference,
once so threatening ana seriously sustain
ed, and now am persuaded. IL existing
fading fast The soldiers, North an
South, have never been hateful towar
each other, and II is well. reasonable