The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-12-28
THE OPEN HAND.

President McKinley's suggestion o'
nssiooal care tor the graves of the Cen
federase dead did not surprise us, but
we confess that We are surprised at the
way in which it is received oy au ex.
com mmissiouer of pensions, the noted
"Corporal" Tanner. who has been un :
dors,ood to hold with the EXTREMIST
element of the G. A. g. He now DOT
ooly endorses the president fully. but
goes far beyood him, saying
Naturally am rejoiced, after uore
than twenty years. to have the presl
dent of the Uoited States broadly advo-
cate our government taking charge of
all the cemeteries where lie the dead of
the Lost Cause and maintain them at
government expense an sure it
will be done The president will now
be constrained to see that law is en-
acted by congress to carry his sugges.:
.iop int effect. and il any legislator
aball oppose its passage. wby, God
help him in his future political career,
for man will not be able to.
J: * x X
Nov, let Us get. ss near to Christ as
possible 10 our attitude toward these
unfortunate brethren, and let us as be-
as practicsl as Christ was when de
produced the loaves aod fishes and fed
the multitude. In word, let Us
enlarge oar soldiers' homes. build oew
ones, if necessary. throw open the doors
and say, "Come in, Johonie. Bring
your faded old parole. aud We will
cou7iuce you that while Uucle Sam felt
constrained to punish you when you
went wrong so many years ago, be loves
YOU still. aud does not wish you to
suffer. The blood Of the South which
flowed so freely at Las Guasimas. El
Capey and San Juan, which was so
grandly offered, but happily not taken
at Manila Bay, and of Santiago barbor,
proved that you reared your soos sur.
charged With love OF the nation beyond
that of section thereof. aud we owe
you something for that
"Onprecedensed." some one ez-
claims regarding this proposition.
Granted. But this nation makes
precedeots. We are emphasically
capable of being law unto our
selves, aud to Spain, and several
other mona,chies. as we'll. lyon are
throwing dowo the bars" says another,
s.asd the next thing will be a PROPOSE
ton to put these men on the pension
roll" Not necessarily, my alarmed
friend but l will give you one very
sure pointer. Gather in onveutiou all
the Union veterans who gave leg. or
arm, or eyesighs to save this Union
from ampu.ation Of States.' and let
them have the power, and wager you
that every maimed or blind veteran of
the south who needs aia to keep him 10
decency outside Of an almshouse, would
get it by their votes, and by a tremen-
dous majority.
This is the finest ching We have read
on the subject aud il ought to have full
currency 10 the south that it may re-
ceive the recognition it deserves. As
with President McKinley's u:teraoce, it
is the spirit of overture that we appreci-
ate ID the south. not the suggestion Of
aid 10 discharging our duties and bear
ing our burdens. Whestber it result 10
legislation or not. twill be pleasant FOR
us to remember the men who have been
broad and humane and patriotic enough
to take this stand 10 the sight of the
country.
Let southerners advance DO plans; let
their representatives in congress ask for
po,biug 90 these lines. The acts, like
the words. should ccu,e from the other
side if they are to come at all. Aud if
they are 70 come let them 6nd the south
ID maintaining with patience and dignity
the obligations it has assumed toward
the Confederate ventures.