Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-15
The BLUE AND The GRAY.


on both sides during the rebellion. or
war between the states as the south
erners are fond of calling it. the New
Orleans States makes some observa-
tons which ought to dispose of .he
proposition for the time being without
further debate. Thoughtful men who
understand human nature and have ah-
served how difficult it is 10 prevent
friction in such matters can not. in the
opinion of the New Orleans paper fail
10 look with gravest doubt on any such
undertaking.
For example, says the States. the
men of the south revere the name Of
Jefferson Davis. and What makes than
love him all the more is the fact that
during his life he was made to suffer
vicariously for them. In the north we
seldom hear charitable word spoken
OF Mr.. Davis: they are willing TO eulo-
gize Lee and Jackson and Gordon. but
Davis is anathema maranattha Like
wise in the south Lincoln is looked
upon with charity and among a great
many even with admiration; but Sher-
man is detested''
SO it would be a tense and dangerous
moment when the blue got to cheer
ing for Sherman and the gray sent up
the rebel yell for Davis. and the sug-
gestion that the time is not yet ripe for
such reunion may seem sound.
The north and the south are getting
along comfortably as it is says the
New Orleans paper; "the north contin-
uing to tax the south to pay pensions
70 union soldiers, and the south con-
stantly reminding the north of the
'tussle' it gave ii, and matters will go
or well if they are let alone. But IN
til these things cease to be a joint re-
union would not tend to cement mora
strongly the relations between the
north and the south
Perhaps it were better for each
remnant of the two great armies that
faced each other in the greatest war
of all time to stay each in their own
camp and trade ilandshakes and good
will as they traded tobacco and coffee
along the picket lines. But if they see
| fit to hold a joint reunion they can do IT
and make the occasion one of mutual
pleasure. To predict disaster from such
a gathering is scarcely 10 understand
Of the southern survivor the New Or
leans paper is perhaps the better judge
Peaceful contast between the enbattled
soldiers did more toward bringing
about better understanding than any
other force The mixing in business
and by immigration of the men of each
section after the war has resulted in a
wonderful uniication of the section
that revolted and the other section .hat
held ii 10 its allegiance. Nothing mas
done SO much TO cover and oblitera.e
the cicatrces of a civil war as the per-
sonal equation. the common persona
interest and the knowledge fully alive
in the breasts of Yank and Johnny alike
that the fight was in the family. be.
| tween men of the same blood and o
the same country and that is was /;
family victory when all was done ant
: over If the old men of the great Wa
ever get together in joint reunion th'
; one will cheer for Sherman and the 9th
er for Jeff Davis and all will send
great voice aloft for Lincoln and Lee
e for Grant and Alexander Stephens
i And they will let it go at that.
, The war is over, dead, finished. no
1 forgotten but forgiven. 1t settle,
I definitely an issue of the ages and il
e its travail and blood brought forth
r new nation, an Am that is 81
9 American. The men who fought eac
e ether We're the first to fraternise. The
y viii be the last to rekindle the dyin
e ashes of such resentment as may re
main. If they choose to come togethe
in peace and good fellowship as the
met long ago in the flush of victory an
If the gloom of defeat, the new generatio
Is need not worry. The men who settle
= it can keep it settled