The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-06-09
Memorial Decoration Days.

The Baltimore Sun, which always
acted in defence Of the South and the
Lost Cause, and never hesitatcs to
strongly express its opinion Of kindred
matters. has the following editorial in
recent issue, which is published here
in full:
Confederate Memorial Day, unlike
Decoration Day, is not observed on the
same date in all the Southern States.
1t is dependent to some extent on local
custom and also OF the difference in
latitude, the season when flowers are
most abundant and beautiful arriving
considerably earlier in the far South
than ia sections as far north as Mary
land The day which it has become
customary to observe in Maryland is
June 8, date when flowers, roses es-
pecially, are at their btst and when
the weather is generally proptious to
Out-Of-dOOr exercises Although not
characterized in Baltimore by thW.ame
outward show and military display as
the Federal Decoration Day. Memorial
Day appeals no less strongly to all who
admire the splendid devotion to prin-
clple and tn unsurpassed valor which
characterized the men who fought for
the Independence ofthe South; no uurer
patriots or more daring and brilliant
soldiers ever lived since the world be-
gan. They were true to their convic-
ton of duty, and history will place
them in the grand army of her nOblest
heroes. Neither the section for which
fhaxr 1fAl 4 4
arms approach the graves of thoSe who
fell for the Southern cause with apOl
gics for the dead or for them-elyeS
The war settled the practical issue of
secession, and the living have accepted
the suit I'm loyalty of heart and life
as well a Of word and Of form but
they DO not admit, and never will ad-
init, that they were either traitors or
rebels under the conditions that pre-
vailed when the Civil War occurred
and under the Union a. il then existed.
This IS = historical question which is
still, open To debate and upon which
every one has the right to an opinion.
But while the South observes Mem
orial Day with just pride in the men
whom that day c mmemOrateS, and not
in an ahlect spirit Of repentance, ii
bears no malice for the past, and if it
can not forget, Las long ago forgiven
the injuries which it received during
the Civil War 1t has proved within
the last twelve months that it 10 as
ready a. any other section to respond
to the rational need, and its represent
atives in the army and navy have
made record for gallautry aud patriot
~ KarHi,b 4
be proud. The generous spirit maui
tested hy thu South has met an equal
~ generous response from the North,
ard. with The exception Of the hyster-
zeal ulterances Of few Boston veter-
ans IN connection with Gen. Wheeler's
recent visit to that city, and the rejec-
ton of floral tribute from eX-Confed-
crates by Grand Army Committee in
Columbus, Ohio, last week, there has
been scarcely discordant note OF late
to mar the general harmony. On Dec
Grafton Day Grand Army men in
Philadelphia and elsewhere acted on
President McKinley's suggestion and
included in their tributes of love aud
respect the graves Of Confederates who
died far from home and kindred and
have had no one to do them honor.
This is the spirit which will bind the
country together more closely than
hooks Of steel Love is more potent
than law and Is stronger than an army
with banners. Both Memorial and
Decoration days are expressions of the
same feeling-lOve, tenderness. admi-
ration for the dead 1t is the only
force which will truly unite the living
and make Of formal patriotism a vital
animating principle.