The National tribune., 1899-04-13
which have received from the veterans
who wore and honored the blue, not one

which l have received from the veterans
who wore and honored the blue, not one
has breathed aught but the most
fraternal feelings, clearly indicating
that the passions, rancor and bitterness
engendered by the war have ceased to
exist and that sectional feeling has been
obiiterated | am profoundly grateful
for, and have endeavored to reply to,
each of these veterans letters, but if |
have failed in any instances, / assure
the writers it was not Intentional nor
from any want of appreciation OF their
kind messages.
| said all sectional animosity had
suhsided will go step farther and
assert that the true soldiers never
cherished personal enmity towards each
other. 1t was principle that impelled
them to bid adieu to home and the
loved ones there, and go forth to battle
and if need be to die for what each con-
ceived to be right, for it is generally
conceded that both parties were actuated
by honest convictions, and when the
matter was settled by the arbitrament OF
the sword, realizing that this was to be
an undivided country. The veterans of
the South returned to peaceful pursuits
and their hearts gradually warmed
towards the Old Flag, until now we claim
that our love for that flag and devotion
to our Government is as sincere and
abiding as that of any other section of
the country.
1t is true that at various times poll
ticians of both sections have endeavored
to infame the populace by frantically |
waving the bloody shirt to further their
own selfish designs, but the time for
that is now past When the illustrious
names of Grant and Lee, Wilson
and Wheeler are linked together,
wearing the same uniform, and the sons
of veterans of the Blue and Gray march
. side by side carrying Old Glory to vic
tory, whether in the mountains of Cuba,
the jungles of the Philippines or upon
the oceans wave, no one can longer
doubt that we are united people. Let
us be done with this talk about the
North and the South, and let the people,
the, common people, the old soldiers of
both sides, leading, if need be, unite and
forever put the brand of infamy upon
the party or the man who for selfish
purposes would again attempt to
estrange our people and array them
against each other.
A grand destiny awaits our country,
the grandest the world ever saw or
dreamed of. With territory extend
ing from ocean to ocean, from the lakes
to the gulf, embracing every climate
and production and teeming with
population of 100000 of the most
intelligent and the freest people in the
world, who can prophesy what our
future may not be, or set limit to Our
growth2
In little while We shall have an
swered the last roll-call, and our chill.
dren will take our places. We have
taught them to love their country and
be ready to defend it against every foe.
as proven by the late war, and we can
rest assured that the American flag will
ever have strong arms aud willing hearts
to uphold it
In conclusion let me say that will
ever cherish the memory of the friend
ships which have been formed through
the instrumentality of The NATIONAL
TRIBUNE, and may not hope that
some corner, at least, in the hearts OF
those with whom ] have had such pleas
ant relations may hc reserved for your
"Johnny" Friend.
The End