Year: 1870

HOnOrs to q Soldier.


Yesterday, largo part OF the business
portion of the city laid aside the usual avo-
cations Of trade and commerce, as a mani
festatlon of respect to the memory OF Cen
eral Robert f. Lee. In the principal busl-
ness streets, with but few exceptions, the
stores were partially or wholly closed, and
the buildings more or less draped III en-
blematic black. In most instances, where
there were any funereal decorations, por-
traits of the deceased soldier, OF various
sizes and styles, appeared surrounded by
the insignia of regret. The buildings OF
various public institutions, the banks, etc,
were draped in sympathy with the occasion,
and our contemporaries of the daily press all
displayed crape-shrouded flags.


The shipping in the port nearly all had
their flags at half f-mast, and funeral saintes
were fired on the levee, near the foot OF
Canal street, and on Lafayette Square. The
signs of mourning on the business houses,
as well as private residences, extended
along Canal street from the river to Ram
part street, and ON the principal cross
streets several squares on either side OF
Canal street In all other parts of the city
they were fewer and more far between, many
contenting themselves with closing VIII
dow or a door but the instinct of trade
mingled largely with their sentiment, and
they stayed ready to attend to whatever
business might turn up.


The display of mourning emble!ns ap-
peared to have littlo or no political signiii-
cation, certainly, no political Importance.
for many Joined in the manifestation who
can not be suspected Of symathizing with
the "Lost Cause" with which the deceased
warrior had been identified. Now, when
all il ended, men seemed to feel that they
could forget political error. and remember
only the high personal character of him,
the termination of whose earthly career had
called forth this public expression of respect
and regret Men spoke of him as he had acted
since the close of strife, sincerely desiring
that no bitter remembrances should linger
behind accepting the situation in good and
| honest faith, throwing no obstruction in
the way of reconstruction, but exerting his
influence, when he exerted it at all, in allay-
ing the angry passions that the battle had
called forth.


No right minded person will grudge the
whilom champion of the South the full obla-
ton to his memory offered by those who
sympathized with his principles, or shared
with him the dangers of the fell struggle in
which he bore SO prominent part. No
thinking man will condemn the people of
the Southern section because. when all was
lost, they did not forsake those who had
borne the burden and heat of the unhappy
contest For this feeling evinced by the
people of the South, is the one redeeming
feature in the dire attempt to Ovcrturn that
free government, the power OF which had
never before been felt by the governed, ex-
cept when that power had been exerted to
protect them.


| Yet, to loyal minds, the manifestation Of
! yesterday brought some painful remem-
brances. For it is not many weeks since
| the gallant Farragut, a hero whose record
| ranks him with Nelson, or better still, with
| Perry, Decatur, Hull and others, who in the
early days of the nation raised the prestige
of the infant American navy to a height
altogether beyond its actual force it is but
few weeks since the gallant Farragut was
gathered to his fathers, hero, an American
hero, fearless as firm in his loyalty, braves'
of the brave in battle, and merciful as
brave when the fight was done. What
testimonial OF regret did he receive among
us! In his native South, when he passed
away, he passed "unwept, unhonored and


unsung." The high personal character o1


General Lee is conceded by all. But if VT


are again one nation, let all the heroes o


the nation receive their rightful need O


honor.