The National tribune., 1901-08-08
A VOICE FROM DIXIE.
Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty as Exempli-
fed in the Creole State

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: We "old boys
away down In Dixie land have experienced
great pleasure in reading the accounts given
by comrades wherein they fought bled. and
-foraged while following Old Glory from
the upper Potomac to Petersburg, and from
the Ohio TO the sea, as they drove the
JohnnieS from one last ditch'' to another
for four long years. until the whole Confed
eracy was completely ditched at AppOmattON
We are also interested in the reports OF
battles and SkirmiShes in Which the bows par
ticipated and II they do occasionally lose
their bearings, and get things slightly
mixed" and are sometimes inclined Il
chew the rag with the other fellow who
saw things differently from another point
of view, we feel that all who wore the blue
from 81 to 20 were engaged In holy and
righteous cause; that there was glory enough
for all; that all tried to do their duty then,
ana are entitled to their opinion now.
They earned the right to be heard. and
we are glad there is one grand medium-The
National Triblne-throush which the small.
est private in the rear rank can place his
opinion along with that of corps command.
er. and IL need be "call him down.
We are also glad to see by reports OF the
various Reunions and Post proceedings that
the fraternal feeling born in the time that
tried mems souls still actuates the old com.
rades, and that the hand that was eager to
grasp the muskct or saber to save our Nation
Is now as anxious to clasp the hand Of the
cOmrade, though a stranger, who helped keen
the flag unsulied and its glory undimmed .
While "we-uns'' are far from the green hills
ana valleys Of our bOyhOod homes up in what
we used to call Gods country" we try TO
keep up the touch of elbow and step to the
music or the Union in our Southern home
We try to keep green the memory of de-
parted comrades and do not forget TO advo-
cate the principles for which they fought and
10 care for the widows and orphans of those
VINO went down that the Nation might live
And in order that we might not drift from
the teachings and examples Of the host of
patriots now In the great beyond we do NOT
- mi ft- Fhar I'll
ATTY In our neat and cOmmodious Post hail
and there strengthen, II need be- the ties
OF comradeship welded in the heat of battle.
As early as 1855 when the tide of North
ernerS was headed to the fair spot in tha
creole State, 1t was found that nearly every
NOfthern State was represented, and that
many or the odd boys" who wore the blue
and sought this mild climate resolved 10
spend their few remaining years in a country
they mad helped to save to the Union. And
want TO say to our Northern comrades that
they may have Post rooms OF grander and
more expensive pans; may boast of n larger
membership, etc. but the II pioneer com
fades OF 1883, whose names adorn the charter
IN our Post room ''leavened the whole lump -
anu from that day the membership has grad
uaIly increased until we now have a live
hustling Post of about 40 members-more
IMAM that the boys" own the hall fine
tWo-story building, 60 feet long; Post room
nicely furnished, electric lights. walls beauti-
fully papered, a fine organ and the floor IN
De carpeted right away Lower room a din
ihs nan, with tables, cupbOards dishes-fn
Iact all the paraphernalia of Il well-reguIated
hitcheh, where at stated periods the com
Fades are Toasted and toasted and furnished
coffee fit for the gods. All this could NOT
nave been accomplished had it not been that
we nave a noble, energetic and patriotic band
OF 10 or 80 women, as an auxiliary who seem
10 MINK there is nothing too good for the
ola boys. They have given entertainments
suppers, ice-cream festivals, and In numerous
ways nave contributed to the purchase of hall
ana furnishings. Nor have the citizens of our
tar toWh-those of the manor born included
forgotten us, for they too have manifested
an interest in our welfare FL many and sub
stahtlal ways. Memorial services and the
decoration OF the graves Of comrades dead
are each year fttlngly observed, and the
lessons or patriotism thus taught are bring
ing lorth good fruit In abundance. Old GLORY
IS In evidence on every hand and waves as
beautifully and IS maJestlcalIy in the Gulf
oreeZeS of Southwest Louisiana as she does
ImohS the breezeS of the great Northern
Lakes.
, We are inclined to the opinion that we
I'VE IN patriotic community, for in addition
10 Jennings Post, q, Department Of Iouisi-
ana ana mississippi, with its splendid Relief
LofpS, we also have Circle of the Ladies' Of
me q. A. r., Camp of Sons of Veterans,
ma our town and neighborhoOd contributed
,heir quota of gallant boys to Remember tn.
Maine during our late unpleasantness"
With the Dons.
DNie that can make Il more patriotic show
HS we would like to hear from it through
ne columns of your valuable paper-THOS.
b. MACNEY, First Lieutenant Co, X. 150th
a., fOst, u, Department of Louisiana and
mississippi, G. A. r., jennings La.