The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1917-09-06
ECHOES FROM THE REUNION.

DR.. A. w. Littlefeld, Of Needham,
Mass, writes thus of the Reunion IN
Washington:
Mine eyes have seen the glory OF
the coming of the Lord Never mind
if this be the opening line of certain
Northern battle hymn that was set to
music clarifying most detcstable an
te-bcllum episode; the words exactly
meet my needs to express my feelings
at the confederate reunion in Washing
ton. Now, | wish the whole nation
could have witnessed all that took place
there in the capital of this Federal I'M
ion | never expected to see the blessed
/ sight that of the Stars and Stripes
and Stars and Bars floating in harmony
together. The symbol of Federal Union
and the symbol of State autonomy, of
central power and of State sovereignty,
of the universal and the particular, O.
the Constitution and the Declaration of
Independence, of national allegiance
and local affection-these were there
together after but half century and a
little more of the bitter fratricidal
strife of the American people. How
could anybody Of patriotic ardor and
historic sensibilities fail to realize the
significance Of this Reunion? God be
praised that such was possible and
came to pass!,
The meeting of the Confederate Vet
eraus, the business meeting of the
Sons of Veterans, and the grand parade
impressed me with the ineradicable
memories. On the 2lst of July, 1861,
the battle of Manassas was fought; the
Stars and Stripes and the Stars and
Bars were arrayed against each other.
On the 9Th Of June, 1917, fifty-six years
later, those two flags at this meeting
Of the Confederate Veterans in the cap
ital city of the republic foated above
the head of the President of the United
States for an hour or more as he stood
or sat on the platform surrounded and
confronted by the men in Confede rate
gray. A beautiful silken Stars and
Stripes was to be presented to the con-
federate veterans by the veterans In
blue; for long time it was held by the
side of an equally lovely silken Stars
and Bars, the latter not the reminder
of the Lost Cause but rather the
glorious ensign of reunited and most
patriotic brotherhood. And after the
presentation Of the Federal flag the
two standard bearers came to the front
of the PLATFORM; the dear old man car
rying his beloved Stars and Bars kept
his standard in line and at equal height
with the Stars and Stripes at his side.
One even thought that for the moment
he a little farther advanced the Con-
federate emblem and little higher
than the national symbol. Blessed
sight to the eyes that know how essen
tial it is for the welfare OF the Ameri
can people that the Stars and Bars
shall never lose their place in the affec
tons of patriotic hearts nor lose their
| place besides the Stars and Strip 8!
And the president of the United States
sat beneath the light and love of these
reunited banners. One may never for
get it. So significant both of the past
and the future that is to be!
'Then the meeting of the Sons of
Confederate Veterans. | can hardly
express my admiration for those SONS
of the men who fought under Lee.
They We're doing real mems work
| plans for caring fer the old veterans,
discussions looking to the larger ed
ucation OF Southern men and women,
and most deep-laid preparations for the
rewriting of history so that the truth
| of history especially as it relates 10
War between the States and the
causes leading to it, might be gathered
| for the instruction of the youth of the
Southland to remotest generations
The admirable and engaging Command
! er Baldwin presided, and above his
| head the battle flag of the confedera-
| cy, guarded on each side by the Stars
and stripes, was the symbol of the fed
eral reunion of the sections, with no
compromise of Southern prin ciples and
ideals. For several hours | listened to
the proceedings with heart deeply
stirred and with the highest admiration
of the personnel and plans of these
sons of men who fought one of the
great conflicts for constitutional liber-
ty. And had the great good fortune
to be present not only as spectator,
but also as an honorary member of
Commander Baldwin's staff, i to which
he appointed me Immediately after
Adjutant Forrest introduced me to
him. Think of that, a Massachusetts
Confederate! What miracle had taken
place to work such marvel? No mir
acle whatever, only the benefcence
wrought by time bringing brethren in
to fraternal association instead of
keeping them in the attitude of mis-
judgement and condemnation. | never
served in an honorary capacity with
more satisfaction in all my life, For
l felt it to be not only personally but
patrioticallY good to be with those
gray-coated sons of the Southland,
that whom no more faithful and and de-
voted and loyal Americans exist to-day
in any portion of our broad land. | only
wish-what. couldn't even suggest
to my hosts that | might become an
honorary member of the Sons CQpfed-
crate Veterans. For certainly, though |
a Northerner, | am sure that no man
in the South has greater love for the
principle of constitutional liberty than
have myself. if modesty that may be |
permitted me to state, The badge of |
Uffice as member honorary of Com
mander Baldwin s staff is pinned to al
diminutive bale of cotton on my book |
case under the shelter of my stand of |
Confederate flags, in the center of |
which is the national flag.
''And that parade on Thursday of |
the old soldiers of Lee and his COM
manders! Received, think of it, in the
court of honor in front of the White
House by the President of the United
States. surrounded by high dignitaries |
of the nation and their guests, Every |
where the Stars and Stripes. and with