The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-04-19
THE VIEWS OF A VETERAN.
Editor w. T. R. Bell of the Ruther-
fordton Sun Says go Slowly"

the Memorial exercises in Atlanta
last week in honor of the late General
Wheeler were in many respects notable.
It was the first occasion that we recall
in which the United Confederate veter-
ans and the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie have met on common platform and
shared equal prominence on the pro
gram. Gen Carr and Corporal Tan
ner, representing respectively the Blue
and the Gray, acquitted themselves in
perfect good taste. There is something
about the spirit of determination
among soldiers of opposing armies that
is not easily explained. Men OF differ
ent race and blood will fight each other
to the bitter end-even to the verge OF
brutality-and in an armistice OF a few
hours, if permitted, will go into friend
ly exchange of jest, and begin badinage
and barter as children would trade play
things with each other. 1t is side OF
our nature which puzzles the phlloso-
pher. One early morning in the sum-
mer of 1854, Pickett's division was hold
ing our lines in front of Chester station
in Chesterfield county. The picket
lines were within a hundred yards OF
each other. From out ii bit OF woods
On our right came two deer, buck and
a doe. Out into the open they dashed
between the two lines. As they came
nearer to our line, the first shots were
fired by our side and the buck fell.
The doe whirled over towards the Yam
KEGS, and in moment volley brought
her down. From either side men step
ped out fearlessly and secured their
allotted share of venison. The lines
were near enough to each other to per-
NIT of friendly salutes; and for half an
hour the unusual incident banished all
thought of hostility. The joint honors
paid Gen Wheeler's memory were such
as could occur only perhaps in our own
country. No good man could do other
than rejoice at the spirit of fraternity
that is making itself felt between the
old soldiers of our Civil strife None
but fool or a frantic will at this late
day by word or act emphasize the dlt-
ferences that divided US. But after
forty years or more, it is not safe TO
press fraternity too far. 1t is doubtful
whether the National organization per-
fected in Atlanta with Gen. Carr as
president or commander, will be sale
from some untoward incident in future
celebrations. The old four year tel-
lows will hope that the Junior Re
serves, into whose hands the keeping OF
the course is being rapidly committed
will not let the enthusiasm of good in
tention run away with sober judgment.
Times modifying influence is healing
old wounds: but no Alternative is suth-
.ciently powerful to take chronic dis
orders out of the blood except by slow
processes. The thing is not falr yet
Our Yankee brother is pensioner, and
in the procession he walks side by side
with the Johnny Reb' who pays year
by year larger federal pension tax, as
poor as he used to be, than he is able
to levy for the education of his chill
dren. North Carolinas part of Fed
eral pensions is more than twice as
much as North Carolina appropriates
for public education 1t is not possible
to keep from recalling such things Be-
sides, we are not yet accorded fairness
fn the histories. Before the writer, lies
the April number of The Teachers
Magazine published by A. B. Barnes &
Go. School officers are requested to
commend it to Southern teachers
From a program prepared for Memorial
day we copy these exquisite lines:
'''O'er the Gray as DER the Blue,
Natures bursting tears will flow,
Blind, misguided, not untrue,
Led as sheep to slaughter go.
Pity! nor forbear the tear
Shed above so sad bier.
But the men who wore the blue
Fought to make the nation great,
ETC.. etc.
' Blind, misguided is good very
good! How ennobling and fraternizing!
Gen. Carr and Corporal Tanner have
our best wishes; but the National mil
lennium has not yet come, and we ven
6lre the SuppeStiOn that we better go