Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-01-12
into discussion of the propositions

into a discussion of the propositions
presented by the Senator and Con-
, gresham that proposed; the resolu-
tior, were out of place, coming
from Southern representatives in Con-
gress. and that neither reflects South
ern public sentiment. 1t seems to me
that these gentlemen were entirely 100
hasty in rushing 10 the front to enlarge
upon the fraternal and patriotic sug-
gestion ofPresident Mckinley at AT
lanta that Confederate cemeteries In
Southern States should be cared for
by the federal government just as the
cemeteries of Uuion soldiers are. The
Presidents visit to the South on the
occasion mentioned, and the manifes-
tations of public feeling given were
revelation to him and under the H.
spiration of the demonstrations which
greeted him, and the emotions evoked
he arose to the plane OF true and genu-
inc Americanism in the utterances TO
which he gave voice. 1t has been
said by great writer that when
nation forgetS or neglects its dead IL
dates national decadence and aduiter-
ates the moral manhood of people
The Presidents sentences were also a
tribute to the high motive of the
Southern soldier in contending for
what he believed to be right at the
time, and that the same devotion to
and sacrifice for that conviction had
been conspicuOusly illustrated III the
war betw cen the United States and
Spain, in which the old onfederate
soldier, as well as the younger gen.
Grafton of Southern men, attested their
loyalty to the flag CT their country in
Offering their lives in defense of its
honor
While Southerners, and cherishing
the land of their homes and hearth
stones, they were none the less Amerl-
cans and are now united with the
North under one National Emblem
and in one destiny. 1t was approprl-
ate and patriotic in the President to
| accentuate this relation by the sugges-
/ ton he projected that the graves OF
| American heroes, whether of the North
OF South, should be treated alike by
the National Government. Coming
as it did from union soldier and the
chief magistrate of the Nation, IRE
spective of sections, the sentiment OF
/ the Atlanta speech touched response
chord in the hearts of the people North
and South, which found expression,
without scarcely discordant note. in
every part of the union. 1t reached
above the petty spites of party and
the baneful prejudices of sections and
entered the realm of American pa
triotism-the Union of States distinct
as the pillows, but one of the sea, ''and
Iinculcated a common love for our
/ common country.
AS to the best methods to be adopted
by the South to care for the living
lCOnfederate soldiers who are disabled
and needy the Southern States have
answered that for themselves. Each
Estate appropriates annually out of its
general revenues an amount cores
lponding with it's ability as q pension
to the disabled Confederate. who still
lsurvives. thus distributing the contri.
button in accordance with equity and
among the people equally, leaving indi
elsidual donations to supplement the
general appropriations whenever
ISouthern sympathizers may feel dis
posed to assist the soldier in that way
1.-THE South does not ask and do moi
think would accept admission to the
Union soldiers home or the Fedora
lpension list, but | do not see where lie
lgitimate objection could come il
against the suggestion of the Presi
dent that the graves of the deae
Southern soldier he treated with the
same tender respect and consideration
that are given to the Union soldiers
out of a common fund provided b.
both South and North.
O0' S. NJ. YOST.
Editor SPECTATOR:-l am in ful
lsympathy with the resolutions passed
by the Stonewall Jackson Camp.
have no idea that the Northern gov
eminent has any intention of givlnI
aid to the Confederate veterans.
DIR. CARTER BERKELEY.
i Editor SPECTATOR;-I heartily en-
, dorse and sanction the resolution
passed by the Stonewall jackson Cam
/ in reference to the Federal COVE. n
r Iment giving aid to the old soldiers
the Confederate States OF America
VIM. WHOLLY.
| Mr.. Daniel K Schreckise, near Mt
Sidney, and also member OF the gut
Virginia, who carries war scars. says
"They express my sentiments exactly.
: Tollgate Keeper Grooms, at Mt. Sid
? ney, gallant old Confederate, says
II endorse every word of them all
} would add, let the 6. A. Rs. clea
their lecord and revise their penslo
list"
1