Evening star., 1931-04-05

seems that we are forgetting some of
the real epochs in American history,
or if not entirely forgetting them, that we can
at least be justly accused of minimizing their
impo tance in the life of the Republic by play
ing upon events of which the people today have
q. more or less personal knowledge and need
not particularly be reminded.
Take, for instance, Armistice day. November
IL, known to most every school child and
annually referred to-as it should be, of course
in big headlines, while, on the other hand, the
surrender at Appomattox, much more i'm
portant event, so far as our own country is con-
cernCd. is seldom nowadays ever mentioned;
resulting, naturally, in the deplorabe fact that,
next to the signing of the Declaration OF indie
pendence, the most important day in United
States history is being almost entirely Tor
gotten by the younger generation.
April is of our most historic months.
The Battle of Lexington occurred on April 10,
IT'S; Washington was inaugurated President
on the 30th of that month in 1888; louisiana
was purchased from France April 80, 1903;
President William Henry Harrison died April
f. 1871; John Tyler inaugurated President April
g. 1S41; Fort Sumter first fired upon April
IL, 1861; the surrender at AppomattoX took
place on Palm Sunday, April 8, 1865; while the
World War, so far as We were concerned, ofh-
cally began April 6, 1917.
Many will recall how the news OF the signing
of the armistice was received in this city just
a little over II years ago-the excitement of
the people how they danced upon the Avenue;
the general celebration that followed, and how
glad and thankful we all were that the war
was over and that our boys-thoSe who had
not paid the supreme penalty-could again be
returned to their homes. 1t indeed joyous
occasion.
But the President had signed the declaration
of war with Germany only year and half
before while with our Civil War there were
four long years of almost constant lighting
fighting among own people-American
against American-in many cases brother
against brother. Indeed some of the writer's
own blood relatives were thus divided. In one
particular branch three brothers out Of five
served in the Union Army, while one Of the
remaining two joined Bradley T. johnson and
the otner one served with Gen. Forrest, c. S. A.
The FIST of the two last mentioned died OF
wounds received at Gettysburg. and lies buried
i'm Glenwood Cemetery, while the last one was
killed in Arkansas.
Though naturally, this condition existed to
a slight degree in the World War, yet it was
but trifie as compared with the War between
the States, for at least the World War was
fought with another nation while our Civil
War was with our own people-our own flesh
and blood.
EOR this and other reasons, when the news
of Lees surrender reached the War De-
partment late on Sunday evening, April 9, 1865
a terrific load was lifted from of OF the Nation
and Washington, being the Capital was the
first to be informed. Few families, North or
South, but what had paid toll in blood. Now
it was over; all were again united under one
heaven, under one Consitution-under one
flag! Is there any wonder that the people went
into frenzy and became almost beside them
selves when they read in the papers of April
TO- 1865, the dispatch of Gen. Grant, which
simply said
'Headolla1ters Armies of United States
"'April g. e:4o pm.
"'Cen Lee surrendered the Army of Northern
Virginia this afternoon, upon terms proposed
by myself. The accompanying additional cor
respondence will show the conditions fully.
"'U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen.
THE thrilling intelligence, are told, buzz
zed about at late hour of the preceding night,
which was the evening of the day OF the sur
render filled the streets the next day, which
was Monday. with crowds of people almost wild
with excitement There no thought of
work. The Government departments, the city
Offices and places of business were closed
'Salutes bell ringing and the music of myriad
bands were heard all sides In the after
noon at the request of Mayor Walach, a bat
tery from Camp Barry took position in front
of the City Hall and fired salute of 200 guns,
and the City Council paid for the shattered
window glass in that structure. The rejoicing
crowds formed professions, and headed by bands
and singing The Star-Spangled Banner Old
Hundred and other favorites marched through
the streets" +saHi -
A. GOBRIGHT, noted newspaper corre-
spondent of bygone days. tells US:
"Mr Lincoln returned to Washington on the
10th of April A large crowd gathered at the
White House and called him out for a speech.
When ne appeared he was greeted with repeated