The National tribune., 1910-09-22

is worse. Sherman was right-"War is
hell" There was no civil war IN All
hiStCry to compare with ours. elther
for its magnitude, intensity of feelings
or valiant strife, and when these are
considered it is not strange that the
participants should for long time
cherish enmity against one another
But many events of late have given
birth to an amity and fraternity
which will soon eraSicate entirely the
hostility between the North and the
South. The recrossing of the ONO IN
1895 by the G. A r. and their meeting
in Louisville did much to remove any
bitterness that remained. / have visit
ed many Encampments, but in none of
them did we receive Il more royal wei
come. The city was gorgeously deco
rated, and the old Flag was everywhere
in evidence. The meetings between
the old soldiers of the North and the
South were object-lessons in patriotism
to all who witnessed them. To illus
trate the spirit that was engendered a
touching story is told of young man
who witnessed the grand parade, the
happy meetings and greetings of the
old men, formerly enemies, now
friends. He returned to his home, and
suggested to his mother that they
should display the old flag too. What"
men who slew your father?" Mother.
after what / have witnessed this day
my heart is changed, and l am sure II
father were here he would fling Ola
Glory to the breeze" Our Starry BAN
ner triumphantly waved from that
home during the remainder of the En-
campment.
Sherman at Atlanta.
The reception at Atlanta of the hero
SC ctr
ing example of the generosity and
warm-heartedness- of the Southern peo-
pie. Remember, too, it was Atlanta
that by Sherman's orders went up in
smoke and came down in ashes Her
citizens realized that Atlanta was de-
stroyed as a military necessity. With
them the war was over, and Gen. Sher-
man was their guest, and right royalty
was he received and, entertained. No
greater display of magnanirnity to a
former foe was ever witnessed.
But perhaps the chief factor in unit
ing the North and the South was the
Spanish War. We were at
peace with all the world, enjoying the
greatest prosperity ever vouchsafcd a
people: but Nyeyler's bloody work and
Spain's oppression of the Cubans were
too near the shores of free people to
be longer endured. 1t was war for
humanity and was in every way sue
cessful. Cuba was freed and became
a Republic, and greater liberty was
given to millions across the sea. Our
success was complete. Our brave boys
in 100 days drove the Spaniard from
the continent forever, and he will re-
main away forever. All the distinction
Spain got out of it was that at the close
of the struggle Spain had the largest
submarine navy in the world.
However we builded better than We
knew We not only accomplished all
these things, but we immeasurably
benefited ourselves. This war was
worth all it cost,~because it firmly and
forever united the North and the South.
We only needed common danger to
arouse our people, and no section of
our country responded to the call to
arms more readily or more enthusias-
tically than the young men from Dixie
A New Union.
Was there ever a more impressive
sight or more striking example of
love of country witnessed than in Cuba,
when the sons of the men who wore the
blue and the sons of the men who wore
the gray, under our starry banner,
charged up San Juan Hill, led by the
old Confederate Gen. Joe Wheeler and
our own dasi1ing Col. Roosevelt? Is
anything more required to show the
loyalty and devotion Of the people of
the South to our common country? :?
From that date we had new Union,
no Northerners. no Southerners, but
Americans all.
/ desire to testify to the cordial re-
ception rendered me during my recent
official visit to alir Southern Depart
nents. not only from the ex-Union sol
diers, but from the ex-Confederates as
we'll In all cities, when possible, L
urged joint meetings of the blue and
gray.
We had many gatherings of this
triotic sentiments were ever uttered
than by the men who fought on the
other side.
In a letter recently written Hon.
John S. Wise, a Virginia soldier, de-
cIared that it never was intended that
the Government esta biished by Wash
ington should be destroyed, and, fur
thermere. that he was teaching his
children to love and honor the Flag
Of our country.
Blue and Gray Reunion.
On July last the ex-Confederate
veterans of Petersburg, Va, as guests
of the G. A. r., proudly marched thru
the streets of Springfield, Mass. 1t was
the most notable day in the history of
that city, and it is said that there never
was such an outburst of patriotism be-
fore in New England.
Recently | attended a large Reunion
of the Blue and Gray at Mammoth
Spring. Ark, near the Missouri line.
There was a great outpouring of ex-
soldiers and their families from both
States In some instances they came
in covered wagons from so to Is miles,
remaining a whole week. The meeting
was in every sense grand success. The
Governor of the State and other officials
of the Commonwealth, as well as the
member of Congress from that district,
were present. The speeches were of a
patriotic character. For q years the
eX-Union and the eX-Confederate SOL
diers have met mixed and mingled with
each other in joyous Reunions. i was
never present at more enthusiastic
meeting or one where more loyal eX-
pressions We're uttered.
To be present ] travelled nearly 1000
miles. ! was amply repaid for making
the long journey. Such meeting dem
onstrates the folly of longer cherishing
the asperities and aanimosties of the
war. Let us remember only its glories
| and achievements, which resulted in a
new birth of freedom. Meetings like
this and the one in Springfield, Mass.
could be held in no country but ours
They show the true American spirit as
well as furnish an illustrious example
of 10th century patriotism.
Are you not pleased to learn that
our comrades are living in peace and
harmony with our late enemies? This
| is as ii should be. Both armies were
composed of brave men, and they
should and do mutually resuect each