The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-23
Foraker and the Battle flag S.

In the New York sun of Yesterday
appeared a statement by Senator Fora
ker of Ohio of opinion concerning the
proposition that the North should re-
turn to the South in token of restored
amity and comradeship the Confeder-
ate flags captured i'm battle during the
war of secession. Part of it, most of 1t,
in fact. relates to the reasons which
impelled General Foraker, when COVER
nor Of Ohio, to defy President Cleve-
lands attempt in 1887 to force such a
return These had TO do with Mr..
Cleveland's own unfortunate attitude
both during and since that war and
also with the untimelness and effront-
cry of his attempt.
But now" says Senator Foraker,
eve have an entirely different situa-
tion. The present president of the
United States was not only in full SYM
pathy with the Union cause, but he
fought for it with distinguished BRAY
cry and devotion from the beginning
until the ending of the conflict. He
bore an important part in the captures
His action in favoring a return would
not be misinterpreted No improper
significance could be attached to it.
All those who opposed the proposition
when advanced by Mr.. Cleveland have
confidence, respect and admiration for
the wisdom and patriotism Of Presi-
dent Mckinley, and therefore know
there could be no other purpose in ii
all than to subserve our common wei
fare. II could not be connected in any
way with political success or defeat.
1t could not in the slightest affect the
verdict that has been rendered with re-
spect to secession and disunion.
But in another respect the situation
is exceptionally favorable. We are at
war with q foreign nation, and no sec
tinn of the country is more patriotic
and Jealous in the support Of our cause
than the South. Those who bore arms
against the Union have by thousands
engaged in it's service. Some of the
most distinguished officers of the Con-
federate army ere marching as gener-
ais at the held of our columns. They
are now as conspicuous for the flag as
they were then against it. In the con-
gress every war measure has been pat
riotiCallv supported by all the repre-
sentatives of the seeding states, and
| the administration relies upon them
| with entire confidence and in the belief
and knowledge that sectional lines and
| past differences have been Cffaced for
the purposes of the pending struggle.
| and that to the end of it all alike will
remember only that they are Ameri-
| cans There has been a new dedication
! to the cause Of liberty, humanity, and
| free institutions. 1t embraces all the
people Of every state and section. To
| the men who fought with Grant and
! Sherman nothing could be more graft
! flying than the realization that they
| have lived to see the daY when the
! Union they upheld is defended with all
the ardor of sincere patriotism by the
men who fought with Lee and Jack
son.
"It is pre-eminently time for unity
of sentiment, harmony of action, and
| al-prevailing friendship and good fell
lowship. Not only are Lee and Wheeler
| and the men of the South marching
abreast with Wade and Shafter and the
men of the North, but the sons of all
the states are side by side in our navy.
In the harbor of Cardenas Ensign Bag
lev. Of North Carolina, and John Il.
Meek, of ohio, gave up their lives to-
gether on the deck of the WnsloW. In
the bombardment of San Juan the bat
! tleship Iowa was commanded by
Fighting Bob Evans, of Virginia, and
in the far-aWay harbor of Manila, the
great victory of Dewey was achieved
by the heroic representatives, of almost
all the states of the UEion, those from
the south and those from the NORTH
kVyinG with each other to win the day
for their common country and to ado
glory and renown to the flag of oul
fathers. In the presence of such fact!
we can we'll afford to turn our LaCk'
on all but the lessons of the past, and
blOtting out the bitter memories of es
arrangement and strife, press forWarC
to the future with a common cOnhdenc,
and pride in the destiny that awaits
us"
Words like these deserve the wides
publicity.