Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-06-19
Shepherdsow Jefferson County, Virginia Thursday June 49, 1913

IHS OullCu Oldteo NCNloiSu lIldl SOul-
bination too powerful TO be suppressed
by ordinary course of Judicial proceed
ings" existed, and called upon the sew
eral States to furnish each seventy-fi five
thousand men to disperse the "combi-
nation" Thus portion Of the Federal
Government declared war on the other
portion.
These soldiers, whose graves you to-
day decorate, and thousands OF others,
sprang 10 arms TO resist invasion. The
law OF homicide in self defense is-a man
must show he retreated as far as possible.
This was done, but they were pursued.
Where was the first real battle fought ?
On Virginia soil at Manassas. Where
were most of the battles, which occurred
during the four years OF conflict, fought ?
On Southern soil. Twice only did Cen
eral Lee cross the Potomac river. Where
did the conflict end? In Virginia. We
were at home, defending our firesides ;
we were no aggressors we were not
invading the soil of sister State. 1t is
idle TO tell me that the heroes who fill these
graves are to be credited with nothing
but sincerity when they sacrificed every
thing but honor in defence oftheir homes.
The Southern States were invaded
they resisted invasion, and after four years
of determined effort were overcome.
They returned to their respective places
in the Union OF States, chastened, but
not cast down.
These several States have nothing to be
ashamed of, for they maintained their
principles with courage and fidelity; they
owe no apology to anyone.
To try TO make them see any error IN
their ways is idle.
To ask them TO say they are sorry for
what they did is an insult to their man
hood. All that can be expected OF them
is to realize that the war is over, and we
are now under the old flag, which we
VIII lOlOW lOfdHJ'
The flag of the country has no more
loyal followers than those who followed
Lee and Jackson, but you must not ask
them to look upon the Confederate flag
with any feeling but that OF patriotic de-
votion.
You have reason to question the loyalty
of the man to the Stars and Stripes, if ne
wore the gray, but now is sorry TOR II.
The man who fought under Lee and Jack
son is to be regarded with suspicion, ii
he says they were miguided fanatics. The
Southern soldier who can give no surer
evidence of his loyalty to the government
that now is than his regret that he fought
in the Confederate army can not be
trusted when duty calls.
My contention is sustained by the fol-
lowing editorial from the Baltimore Sun,
than which, though it always defends the
Southern people from all aspersions and
champions their cause, there is no more
patriotic, loyal paper in the country.
The editorial is headed,
LOYAL REBELS.
"There were lot Of rebels, old and
young, at Albaugh's Theater Thursday
night at the benefit performance for the
Confederate Widows Home, and the
program carried them back TO "Ole Viz
giny" and other Southern States, and re-
vived many pathetic, stirring memories.
But it was worth remark that while the
large audience arose enthusiastically when
"Dixie" and "My Maryland" were play
ed, they arose with equal unanimity when
the band struck up The Star-spangled
Banner" Another evidence of the fact
that loyalty TO heroic Southern ideals and
personalities is entirely compatible with
sincere loyalty TO the country as ii is.
Treason to the former would not mean
truth to the latter"