The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-06-29
No Stains to Wipe Out.

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diers have been ardently in favor OF
the present war from the beginning
but even those who, like Gen. Hamp'
ton, have believed that difficulties
might have been averted are profound
ly loyal to the Stars and Stripes, and
eager to exhibit their fidelity upon the
field of battle. atlanta Constitution.
Here are two reckless statements.
In the first place, if Georgia may be
taken as fair representative of South
ern sentiment, SO per cent Of the Con-
federate soldiers believed that the war
could have been honorably averted,
and therefore it should have been
averted.
In the second place, since it is on
us, nevertheless, they are solidly IN
favor Of upholding the flag and fight
ing the war to quick and successful
finish, not to Exhibit their fidelity, =
but because this is their country as
much as it is anybody's country.
We are sick and tired Of this sense
less and apparently endless effort on
the part Of certain ELUSIVE young jour-
nalists to parade the old Confederate
veteran as an anxious seeker after an
opportunity to exhibit his desire to
prove that he is loyal, as though he
felt that he is resting under suspicion.
The Confederate veteran has no
apologies to make and no stains to
wipe out. He does not have to eat
any humble pie. Even the President,
a Republican and Union soldier, re-
cognizes this fact, if some of our
Southern newspapers do not. The
appointment of Lee and Wheeler, and
in our own State Hugh Gordon, j. 0.
Varnadoe, Henry Fl. Carlton, DIR. w.
F. Little. George G. Stewart and 9TH
er Confederate veterans or sons of vet
erans, fully establishes the position OF
Southern men and ex-soldiers OF Dixie,
without any profound attempts to
show that they are "eager to exhibit
their fidelity upon the field Of battle. .
The Ex-Confederates are getting
old-the youngest Of them. They are
beyond the service age. Neither duty
because Of a pressing need, nor the
sterner demand for reparation for
any past wrongs, calls them upon the
field Of battle If some Of the
younger ones can secure positions of
honor compatible with their tastes and
inclinations they will, no doubt, ac-
cept and do themselves credit and
their country gallant service. But
the old veterans, bending under the
weight Of years, do not have to should
er again the musket and march ia the
ranks to "the field Of battle in order
to "exhibit' their regret at anything
they have done or to prove that they
are now profoundly loyal"
The young men can and will do the
fighting. They have already respond
ed to The call of the President. They
can and will illustrate the South ION
the field Of battle. It is not neces-
sary for the old veterans to enlist.
They do not have to prove valor that
is already written in imperlshable his
tory. They do not have to sacrifice
any more Of their blood to atone for
any sins. To intimate that they are
''eager' to do it to Exhibit" their
s'loyalty" is to SANDER them i!
No, God bless them, let them stay
at home. Their sons can uphold
Southern honor and Southern duty IN
this emergency. Let the last days OF
the old heroes be their most peaceful
days, spent amid the comforts of
home, where wives and daughters,
when the final summons comes, shall
administer every earthly 'solace and a
God-speed to that land where wars are
not known.-.Nacon Telegraph.