Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-03

anew the struggle OF life. with the
had shown on the battlefield. and
which had Won for them the admira-
ton of the brave soldiers of the Union
and the plaudits of all enlightened ma
tions.
The passing OF the war-begrimed
remnants of the gray-clad army from
the red carnage OF the battlefield. from
the scenes of glorious victories and
terribly-contested defeats, to build up
the ruins of their fortunes and their
homes, to associate with manumitted
slaves whose ignorance made them the
plant tools of INSCRIPTIONS adven-
turers that always follow in the train
OF victorious army, presented Il
problem before which the bravest and
staunchest souls might we'll have trem-
blcd.
HEROES IN PEACE.
But these Confederate soldiers were
equal to that problem. They had been
heroes in battle. They now became he
roes in peace. They had been undaunt-
ed on the field, but they became grand
err In their citizenship. With unfalter-
ing. steps and superb manhood. and
with courage and a patience beyond
the imagination of the human mind.
they laid aside their honored gray uni
forms to put on the quiet clothing OF
the citizen. and have served their
country and their God with a sub
Unity that shines Respondent above
the fame of war. and stands unsur-
passed in all the history of the world.
What supported these men. 1 ask
you under the great burdens Ibid upon
them? / can hear You answer as it
of having done their duty Are we
their sons? And shall we not do our
duty TO their names by rearing monu-
ments in their memories. and estab-
fishing in history the plain truth of
their proud achievements and imper-
isha BILE renown?
HONOR THE BRAVE WOMEN.
Is it not our obligation and our duty
to erect n suitable memorial TO the inn
mortal women of the South. to aid in
maintaining and establishing soldiers
homes and to urge all reasonable leg
islation In the Southern States for
these ends and for granting pensions
to needy and disabled veterans of the
brave army so fast fading away? 1
say to the old heroes: I'VE could not
escape these responsibilities II we
would We would not escape them II
we could. You know how to meet cold
steel and leaden hail. and you know
how to die. In every station where
you have been placed YOU have sus-
tained yourselves with conspicuous
honor. You have endowed us with the
proud heritage OF your soldier names,
and the debt which we owe You is so
full of tenderness and love that we
shall endeavor to pay it over and over
again. You have nobly done your
part. and are entitled to call on the
Corporal OF the Guard for relief. We
will grasp YOU by the hands ana take
you to our hearts"
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
A
ter against the Union. and this bitter
ness seemed to increase us the years
passed on, until finally it reached it's
highest point and then began TO soften
Gradually the friendly hand of the vic
tor was graspcd. the great soul of the
martyrcd Lincoln was understood, and
the chivalrous action of the North's
great commander was appreciated for
his brave stand with the Government
In favor of our leaders and for his
magnanimous conditions in dealing
with the kinghtly Lee. The reconcilia-
ton is now complete. The old heroes
now often hold reunions together. and
together they bank with flowers the
graves of their dead
Under the roses the blue
Under the lilies the gray"
Among the most loyal of the nations
defenders are the leaders of the South
who voice the sentiments of their whole
people. Our Joe Wheeler and our FitZ-
hugh Lee have lived To serve both the
South and the Union and have served
both causes we'll, and they now wear
the uniforms of Generals In the army
of the United states. Truly we now
have
"One flag. ono land. ono heart, one
hand: one nation evermore."
BY order of
BISCOE HINDMAN.
Commandcr-in-Ch Chief
]. ELLIOTT RIDDELL.
Adiutant General and Chief of Staff