The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-21
BULL run IN 81 AND TODAY.

81 LII 1T ~ OIL fNh l'-hNhs
Fifty years ago to-day the first battle of Bull
Run was fought Ia that hardfought battle
the first real test Of strength between the forces
of the North and South was Observed and from
that bloody battlefield the II Mon army withdrew
In the decentralization OF defeat. From Bull
Run. July a. 1861 to Appomattox, April 8,
1865. conflict ragged upon many fields and the
earth was bathed in the blood OF carnage.
multitude of hearts held in the clutch of
bitterness and sword and shot. their mission
of death. carried anguish and desolation to
multitude OF homes Wounds were opened that
were not soon to be healed and scars were
made that were not 10 disappear for many
years
But the years have exercised their healing
agency and time at last has left but memory
memory without rancour hate. The gath
ering to-day upon this historic battlefield, in
fraternal fellowship of the survivors of this en-
gagement. represents that spirit of brother
hood which everywhere binds together the fol-
lowers. and their descendants, of the Blue and
the Gray This golden jubilee upon ground that
half century ago trampled by hostile ar
M}fS ana AiFrt IAiu the NOuHHeU atu ING ues&d,
ia eloquent tribute to the spirit of harmony and
peace that reigns in the heart of reunited ma
ton.
Bull Run to-day observes a spectacle probably
unique and unprecedented in the history of the
world Here who fought each other
with the fury born Of passionate devotion to
their cause now mnge without passion pre-
u,kn~ ,,
met az foes Here Grand Army Post and Con
federate Veteran Camp win forget the bitter
ness of the former strife while listening to the
recital of its incidents Here in the evening
hour. the men who wore the Blue will strike
hands with the men who wore the Gray, heart
finding heart in mutual understanding, good
will and thanksgiving that rises like the in
cense of some holy hour IT is holy hour one
that will follow these aged veterans with Its
sweet memory and influence until their tottering
forms shall fall beneath the burden of this
years
The heart OF whole nation ,sl beat In
sympathetic unison nth the spirit of the jub
lee at Bull Run to-day, Few will be found tc
resurrect the passions and prejudces OF the
past Many will they be who pause to pay
tribute TO the yalor and berosm of those 1--WE
great armies, and who breathe their gratitude
that the day of discord and strife is long gone
In the North the men who waved the bloody
shirt with but few exceptions, have passed tc
their reward Since the day of that great mar
OF peace. William Mckinley, whose spirit Of
brothcrliness and whose messages OF good viii
ushered IN a Of national unity, thu
North has found larger appreciation Of tbs
virtues and valor of the Confederate army anf
has come to better understanding of the spirit
aud loyalty Of q new South. His attitude toward
the South. and his endeavors to produce a better
understanding resulted in the rapid progress oil
the spirit OF unity. and when the news Of his
untimels end plunged a nation in grief his
death was lamented more in the North than
Ii the South.
The attitude Of the Southern States has never
found better expression than in the eloquent ad
dress OF the immortal Grady before the New
England society In 1886 Upon this occasion he
sought to interpret the spirit OF South
for his hearers in the North. In this address
he asserted that the South was glad that the
omniscjent God held the balance of battle in His
Almighty hand, that human slavery was swept
forever from American soil and that the Amer
lean Union saved from the wreck of war.
and many remember how earnestly he plead
that New England might hold out the hand
cf fraternity, even as Grant at Appomattox eX-
teEded the hand OF a friend after The cessation
Of hostilities 10 Lee, and that the prophecy OF
Webster might be fulfilled, when he said:
Standing hand TO hand and clasping hands.
same country, members of the same govern
ment. united all, united now and united for
ever"
FOLLOWING GARY's LEAD.