Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-19
No Scctionalisn: Hero

XYIH the Worcester Continentals. fear
w ing not were preparing to return to
Virginia. the drum OF Virginia rcgi-
inent. lost on the battle field OF Winchester,
and thus to indicate their belief that old
wounds have healed aud II universal love of
country replaced fratricidal hate a United
States Senator from their own historic Com
monwealth was cndcavoring to fan into a
blaze the dying embers OF internccinr strife.
We recall this circumstance in no spirit
OF roproaCh TO tho gallant soldiers who are
our guests to-day. We prefer to believe Sen
a;or Lodge i'll represents their feeling for
this section OF their and our reunited country
Nevertheless we invite the Contincntuls 10
look about them during their stay in THIS
old capital of the Confedcracy and learn just
how much "scctionalism' is 10 be discovered
here
We believe our visitors will learn that
patriotism in the South is OF exacty the
same variety as il is everywhere else in the
country. and that the visible supply. in pro-
portion TO population, is not less. They will
discover that while Southern reverence for
the brave men who followed the Stars and
Bars ON hundred fields has abatod no whit.
Southern affection for the Stars and Stripes is
as great and rs constant az their own. We
believe they Will find no venom OF disloyaitv
here in Nirgnia--no lack of confidence in
American institutions or American ideals. and
ITO more StIll~nhoSS IMAM commonly inncrcS
i'll human nature everywhere.
As they marched up from the station yes
tcr1ay they HAD as an escort some OF tho
NirSinians Who responded 10 the Presidents
call to guard the nations borders and keep
the nations honor clean. .,iost Of those who
responded To that call already are on the
frontier, serving there with men from Massa-
chusetts. New York. Connecticut Illinois
OHIO ana the other States Of the Union. but
enough are left in Richmoud 10 show their
quality and 10 prove that owe OF country is
not sectional--ti1at il has he same implca-
lions in Virginia as in Massachusetts. in
Georgia rs in Maine.
There j. bond OF intimate likcncss. al
ways TO Dc found bv him Who looks beneath
Me surface, between Niassa chusettS and Nir-
s.n.a Allowing Tor tho difference III climate
and tradition. their civilizations are essen.
TALLY similar. and the bes human. products
OF these civilizations have much in common.
Perhaps We clasp so cordially the outstretched
hands OF those who bring he old war drum
home because we like 10 believe. were the
situation reversed Ne ourselves would be
capable OF like generosity 20 a defeated foe
a any rate, dear comra les from the Old
Bay State here we are. I3c good enough TO
Inspect US carefully ana sec if we answer the
horrendouS descrptions th;t but lately have
runs in your ears. To us these imputations
O. base mo'iT" and haseI ambition sound
strangc indeed. hut NC nay be partial to
our own shortcomings. II Senator Lodge is
right ana We are wrong. We ought to start
in to amend our ways and that will be our
plan, bat If observation sh uld convince You
the senator is mistaken. ray. good Cont.
ncnials when lou 20 back 10 Massachusetts.
tel your friends the tribal .ove may nod, and
iNai we arc pretty good :ellows ana fairly
good Americans, after all