The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-06-24
WAR STORIES.
Joint Reunion of Confederate and Federal
Veterans Planned.

The action Of the Oklahoma Depart
ment, G. &. r., in recommending q
joint reunion of former Federal and
Confederate soldiers to take place in
st. Louis next year, is regarded as nm
attractive possibility by leading mem
bers Of the Grand Army and of the
Confederate Veterans in this State.
The matter is now being discussed in
st. Louis, though it is admitted that
obstacles intervene.
An opinion exists that the time has
come for u formal expression of friend
ship between the Blue and the Gray.
That the soldiers Of tic North extend
the hand of goodwill and good-fcllow-
ship to the soldier Of the South, here
in St. Louis during the World Fair.
is spoken Of by many as splendid
prospect.
Such an occasion, many think, would
be both great drawing card for the
Fair and an important event to the
country at large, since the two organi-
cations, representing the remnant of
hundreds Of thousands who battled
for what each thought right have
never been conviliated as organiza-
tions. No joint ceremony has ever
been held, and the gap between the
North and the South which were
divided on much beside the slavery
issue. has never been formally bridged.
If this could be attained during the
Worlds Fair, display commemo1-
ating an event which was of as great
significance to the South as to the
Nor.h, in tho city whicn is practically
IN ne center Of the Louisiana Terri
s"i. aud Of the United States, it is
thought that the Exposition will have
brought about a lasting benefit aud
one which naturally should take place
in tho center Of the Union, upon SO
important an anniversary.
Obstacles are in the way, say those
who represent both organizations in
st. Louis. These arc not said to be
insurmountable, but to overcome
shem will involve deal Of work and
diplomacy on the part of those who
are interested.
To find common ground upon
which the survivors of the bitter
struggle can meet is not easy. 1t has
been suggested before, but achieve
ment always has been thwarted. The
chief difficulty lies in that q minority
in both armies Of veterans still re-
member, only too vividly, when the
hail of grape and cannon shot> slew
their brethren and their friends.
It is agreed that the only possible
procedure is through the pational re-
union of the Grand Army, to be held
next august il San Francisco. The
Oklahoma Department will at that
time present the resolutions it has
adopted. II the national body Of tho
G. A. r. takes favorable action, it
can, through its chief officers, extend
the invitation to the Confederate vet
Grams. That the invitation should
come from the victors in the fight is
shought proper.
Captain Frank Gaienno, who com
mands the local post of Confederate
veterana, said that in his opinion the
initiative should be taken by the
Grand Army. "We were whipped" ;"
said he. "We fought as long as we
were able, as long as men and money
lasted. To the conqueror inheres
the part of magnanimity. We cannot
ask them to join us. They should
ask us to join them in reunion, in
which differences should be oblitor.
ated, and in which we should Jointly
proclaim that, whatever the past, we
stand jointly for the country as it is.
''If they should say to us something
like this Our hoys fought with your
boys against the Spaniard. The past
f5a dead aud let'us live together for
the sake of the present, and let us
show that the old wounds are at least
scared over and outwardly healed
Then, perhaps, joint meeting might
be brought about.
I am afraid it is impracticable,
however. The Grand Army will fear
that toinvite nsin that way will mean
acknowledging that they were wrong
an the great struggle, or will ask
great occasion at which we will be
rsiven the opportunity to proclaim
that We were wrong. Now, we both
believed, and still believe: that what
ue both fought for was absolutely
right. We will carry the conviction