The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-02
A POSSIBLE BLuNDER.

change that has taken place in this coun-
try within the past two months Unless
the Northern people and the Northern
press arc wholly inslncere. there Is no
longer an unkind feeling in that section
against the people OF the South. ana the
issues Of the late war have been forever
buried.
We referred yesterday TO the numerous
deliverances on Memorial Day-from the
President OF the United States and others
indicative o. their kind regard for the
South and OF their high appreciation OF
the valor OF those who died In the main
tenance of Southern rights.
We did not in yesterdays article by
cny means exhaust the quotations. We
find in the Springfield (Mass) Republi-
can communication from n Northern
soldier in which he says that It has been
his privilege TO be in the South on Me-
mortal Day, and that tine kind and ten
der feeling manifested here leads him TO
entertain the hopes that the day Is not
distant when the beautiful ceremony Of
dropping a flower and a tear of remem-
brance for the heroism OF the dead com
rades. both Union and Confederatcs. will
be observed on the same day and par
ticlpated in by the veterans of both
armies and in one procession"
LET us remember" he adds, chat
strewlng flowers upon the graves OF dead
men is a tribute TO their heroism but
not necessarily endorsement Of their po-
litical belief
In the same connection we find in the
Philadelphia Ledger an article urging the
return to the South OF the Confederate
battle flags. in which it says that lit IS
not likely that the Southern people re-
gard these flags as symbols of Lost
Cause. but that those which exist have
sentimental interest quite apart from
such a feellng-an interest which IS an
honor to them, and for which We Of the
North can give to-day appreciation and
approval"
Mark the al-pervadng sentiment. There
is eveidently a'disposition on the part of
those writer's to ignore the issues Of the
war. TO give the South credit for sim
certify. and to honor the bravery and the
heroism Of the men who fought in the
south's behalf. The South has never
asked more than this.
1t matters very little whether or not
the people at the North think that cur
cause was right. There may be honest
differences on this point but it is very
grateful 10 the people Of the South, and
It marks a new era in the history Of this
country when the Northern people are
willing to concede TO us honesty OF pur-
pose and to grant that the Confederate
soldiers were noble patriots and not rebels
and traitors, as they have been in the
habit OF calling them.
We say that this change has come so
suddenly that It has taken the country
unawares. and it is hard for the South
to realize the fact.
There is one danger however, to be
guarded against 1t will not do for the
North to patronize or coddle us. The
South has been conscious Of its perfect
loyalty to the Union ever since 1t went
back into the Union. The North must not
make 1t appear that we are prodigals
Just returning to our fathers house and
that we are fit subjects for fatted calf
and merry making, as those who have
come back from their wanderings. We
have been part and parcel of the Union
too long to be treated now as returned
prodgals.
The South will receive in the proper
snirit any sincere demonstration of the
North's kind regard, but our Northern
friends will commit a grave blunder II
they gush over us and appear to show
MS favors Let the North treat the South
as its equal in dignity, patriotism and
loyalty, anu all will be well