Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/394

 382 Southern Historical Society Papers.

final settlement of that cause at Appomattox. If the sentiments uttered by Rev. Cave on the occasion referred to, and which received "tremendous applause" from the audience assembled there, be the true sentiments of the average ex-Confederate veteran, then will it indeed be hard to ever heal the breach between "brothers of one land," engendered by that awful conflict, and the generous action of our Union veterans seems truly wasted.

Although we belong to different political parties, first of all we are true and loyal Americans, who offered our lives for the starry flag which to day floats in beauty and glory over a free and glorious country. And while anxious to look with pleasure upon these re- unions in your sunny southland, we cannot but regret such disloyal sentiments as these, and must protest in the name of the fallen of both sides.

Let not the sacred ceremonies of Memorial Day be dishonored by such words as these.

We write not in bitterness or rancor, remembering with great pleasure and pride the welcome accorded to our Illinois veterans by Lee Camp and other ex- Confederate organizations while returning from the encampment at Washington, and fondly hoped and believed that the spirit which was shown at Appomattox, by both sides, was the prevailing spirit of our Southern brothers, and that hope and belief we are loath to relinquish even in the face of such a speech as this to which we refer.

Will you kindly reply to this and oblige yours for America,

COLUMBIA POST. J. G. EVEREST, Chairman of Committee. Attest: HENRY STEPHENS, Adjutant.

It was laid before Lee Camp, June 22, 1894, and provoked a heated discussion, which developed a great diversity of opinion as to what disposition should be made of it. Finally it was laid on the table indefinitely. At the same time a resolution offered by Commander Pollard endorsing the oration of Rev. Mr. Cave was laid upon the table, until the ensuing meeting. The camp, however, declined to permit the contents of the letter to be disclosed, and even withheld from the public the name of the Post from which it came, but the latter leaked out.