The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-29
TIE REBEL BADGE INCIDENT.

He has always maintained a superb
equilibrium in the most trying situations
No man at present in public life has
always been more sure to do the right
thing at the right time than he. His
unfailing ability to do this has extorted
the praise of even his most inveterate
political opponents
But it cannot be denied that he was
momentarily thrown from his pivot at
the time that he allowed rebel badge
to be pinned upon his breast. Under
ordinary circumstances such an act as
that to the President of the United
States would be utterly impossible.
Aud Maj. Mckinley is one of the last
men in the United States that anyone
would think of treating so. But the
moment was one of eliminating ex-
uberance of sentimentality. The Presi-
dent was the highly honored guest of
enthusiastic hosts. They had been
warmly profuse in their expressions to-
ward him, and he unstintedly cordial
in his responses. Such occasions are
always the opportunity for inllscretions.
They rarely pass without things being
said and doue that appear bally under
the clear, searching light of cal
af,erthouglit. At that moment one of
those insists who seem born to mar Us t
such occasions approached the President
and pinned the bad re on him. OnlY a
misiit would have hal the temerity-to
call it by no harsher term-5o think Of
such thing. Even in the warm flush
of the surroundings the President
seemed start ed, rs we'll he mi ht he, by
the act, and said 81 hardly think that
it VIII be right" but in his reluctance
to chill the warmth Of the moment he
suffered the man to complete his act,
though he aiterwarl removed the bad re
as quickl Y as he could do So unooservel.
1t was most unfortuna,e ep so l.,
and should be regretted by sooer-
minded ex-Con!e leratss m re than any,
one else. Whatever the rebel bals
NAV mean to them, it mans to the
world, and cannot mean ANYTHING else
than, the emblem OF resistance to the
authority Of the United States aal of
disunion. If they are sincere in their
rejoicing over thoroughly unitel
country, over the obliteraiion of sec
tionalism, over the universally of
fraternal feeling, over the fact that the
authority # the Gov tnnent is sapreme
and unque,tioned they csnnot but sadly
regret the prominence given something
which is the balefdl emblem of every
thing opposed to their present senti-
ments. They cannot but shu,lder at
the thought Of the symbol Of the bitter
brotherly strife of the past being placed
upon the breast OF the Chief Executive
of the United States, who officially
represents the supremacy of the Nation,
and all the ideas which so slcce ssfully
combated with those that bad re typilies.
If they are glad that The Union was
preserved, why parade that which gained
all its significance and value from
efforts to destroy the Union
If they rejoice that sectionalism has
been at last oblilerateI, why Haunt that
which is the fagrant embodiment Of
sectionalism
If they believe slavery was mon
strous evil, and most righteously de-
stroyed, why ostentatiously display the
token of a war waged to perpetuate and
extend slavery?
If they exult with US over the great
ness and prosperity of the country, over
the peace that reigns at home and vic
tories gained abroad, why continually
thrust upon us and ask US to accept
and honor that which represents to us
all the horrors, the bitter sacrifices, the
untold suffering invoked when it was
raised to disturb the Nations peace,
and threaten the Nations very exist
ence?
What place has that memento Of the
hideous past, which they of all others
should be most eager TO forget, upon