The San Francisco call., 1899-02-09
OLD. MEMORIES
NOT BITTER NOW

How the war with Spain and its 60
oueI of battle with the savage natives
of the Philippines has wrought into
common brotherhood the people of the
North and the South was never. more
touchihgly illustrated than by the ac-
ton of George II. Thomas Post G. A.
r., Monday night. At its regular meet
ing a motion prevailed that commit
tee be appointed to draft resolutions of
respect and coincidence on the death Of
Colonel William c. Smith. This was a
course without precedent.
Colonel Smith had worn the gray, and
had fought in many bloody engage
ment. Among them who had opposed
him then and found him ever a valiant
and honorable foe were members of this
very post. When he came here at the
head of the Tennessee regiment they
greeted him, they threw open their
doors to him, and with him exchanged
tales of the days when they had been
foes. With laughter and with tears,
but always with a fraternity unmarried
by memory, they exchanged stories Of
campaigns now part of history in
which there is no shame to either side,
and when he sailed they were at the
wharf to wish him godspeed.
Yet all this was personal, and the
Grand Army is hedged around with re-
strictive formalities. Even these the
character of the soldier swept aside,
and his time enemies, as they
would have done for one in their own
ranks, were ready to pay him the trib-
ute the soldier living gives to the sol
dier dead. The man who lays down
his life for his country deserves that
the Stars and Stripes be draped about
him, and upon his distant grave friend
ship would lay a wreath.
The committee decided that an edito-
rial published in The call, and perhaps
not devoid of sympathy, fully met the
unique requirements, and so adopted it
as it's report. The editorial was as fol-
lows:
COLONEL SMITH OF TENNESSEE.
Colonel William c. Smith, First Ten
nessee, died of apoplexy at the head of his
command on the firing line February >.
OTIS
Such was the brief telegram which came
from Manila to announce the death of as
loyal a patriot and as royal a gentleman
as ever fought for principle or gave
hand in friendship. Colonel Smith was
soldier. In the days long gone he had
battled for the Confederacy, and he had
not laid down his arms until the leaders
of the Southern cause had given up hope.
How nearly right or how nearly wrong
he may have been matters nothing now.
1t is enough to remember that when the
country needed him he was ready for the
call. He left his home, his lucrative busi-
ness. and went to fight for the common
veal, making light of the burden Of years,
thinking only of the honor of the land.
Of all the volunteer officers who passed
through this city probably not another
won so many friends A person Of digni-
ty, gallant modest, courage beaming from
his eye, the best homes gladly welcomed
him as a guest, and more than one vet
eran wearing the sign of the q. A. X.
broke bread with him gladly. For old
things had passed away, over all there
waved one flag, and among its noble de-
tenders was this son of the SOuth-this
chivalrous, gentle, broad-minded man,
type Of citizenship of which the North and
the South may be proud.
There will be mourning in Tennessee
over this citizen, who freely gave his life,
and there will be mourning in California,
where he came as stranger, and whence
he departed respected and beloved.
The committee was composed Of
Charles H Blinn, who had formed an
intimacy here with Colonel Smith; w.
c.. Watson, who had known him in
Tennessee, and A. j. Vining. These
are all veterans who saw hard service.
Animosity has vanished, dividing
lines have disappeared, and where the
brave are sleeping none asks what
cause they served in the years that
have gone