Gallipolis Journal

[For the Gallipolis Journal.]

Rebel Malignity in Gallipolis.

MR. EDITOR:—The 30th of May, a day set apart to decorate the graves of our Union dead, and a day long to be remembered with pleasure by the citizens of Gallipolis, and thousands from the surrounding country, who came here to witness the imposing ceremonies. But unfortunately, through the liberal spirit shown in the management of the affair, waiving all party considerations, and inviting all, to share alike in the duties we owe to the preservers of our common country. There was a very few among the number of young ladies, appointed to serve as a decorating committee, who proved to be disturbing elements—coming from within the direct influence of the pitiful little group here known to be in sympathy with the "lost cause," which, under the circumstances, served as a means to effect their purpose—that of attempting to mar the interests of the day, of which they were too envious. And since their efforts in this respect proved abortive, there has been no limit to their low mutterings and threats, until at last their disappointment has found vent through the columns of the little echo of every low and foul utterance throughout the country, called the Gallipolis Dispatch, in a volley of vituperation and epithets of a style peculiarly its own. We do not feel called upon to reply to the scurrilous remarks of this filthy fellow toward any lady, as we look at it as indicative of his "bringing up," and probably his most common form of expression towards ladies in general. It is hardly necessary to say that the ladies referred to in his article, are ladies whose deeds are well and favorably known, and who are ladies in every sense of the term, standing far above his reach, or any of his constituents.

But, this low demagogue, this political trickster; has so adroitly perverted truth, that we do feel called upon to expose his base misrepresentation of facts and state them substantially as they occurred, lest there should be some, not being acquainted with the truth, might be deceived. the article thus accomplishing the end sought for by the writer. First. this fellow states that "the committee had decorated the graves of three confederate soldiers" "sleeping their last sleep in an obscure corner of the cemetery." The committee here spoken of were composed of ten persons, and with utmost difficulty flowers sufficient were procured to decorate the graves of the one hundred and sixty-six of our brave defenders. with a simple wreath and flag, which was placed on each head board preparatory to the ceremony. And now, it is in order that the harmony of the occasion might be impaired. Now it is that out of this committee of ten, that three misguided young ladies, instigated and assisted by young gentleman of the "dapper" sort, evidently used as a "cats'paw" by which to disturb and bring to memory those "passions so happily dying out," to disturb the rebel dead now "sleeping their last sleep" "in an obscure corner of the cemetery"— and unauthorized to appropriate the wreaths made by a committee appointed for no such purpose—to decorate the graves of these Rebels— leaving unhonored and without a flower some of the graves of our own soldiers. It is unnecessary to say that as soon as this piece of effrontery, this insult to the dead as well as the living soldiers who fought for our liberty, was perceived by the rest of the committee, the wreaths were immediately taken off and placed on the undecorated graves where they rightfully belonged, much, no doubt, to the disgust of our three extremely compassionate young ladies, and more to the disappointment of their instigators. This is the naked truth and can be testified to by members of the committee.

We would say in behalf of the young ladies who so happily escaped an additional lash of the editor's vile tongue, through his affected belief in their repentance, they hold a proper appreciation of his kindness in withholding their names, but wish us to state that not until treason ceases to be odious and copperhead editors make their abusive attacks still more odious, will they be ashamed of their acts. The editor again states, "and the exclusion from all real participation in the ceremonies of those soldiers known to be opposed to the little clique of the G. A. R." We are at a loss to know what he means by 'real participation.' Every one of those soldiers known to him it seems to be "opposed" to the "G. A. R." received a cordial invitation to "participate" in paying honors to our sacred dead, which was confined to no "clique" no order, but the common duty of all.

Now, these are the facts, and what was the cause of this "bitterness" he speaks of? Was it because it was done in the name of "loyalty" by the repeated and contemptuous use of which word he would seek to render it as obnoxious to others, as no doubt it is to himself. He goes on to say, that it afforded him pleasure, but few if any of the soldiers approved," &c., we have no doubt but that he unconsciously, tells the truth, in this single instance, but he is so addicted to misrepresentation, that we are inclined to think that it is one of his chief sources of "pleasure." Though it may be a pleasure for him to say so, yet we feel authorized in the name of every true patriot and soldier on the ground that day, to brand it as a glaring falsehood. We understand from his remarks that St. Louis must be the only place where a proper sense of self respect exists, as he states that "in every other place where a proper sense of self respect existed," &c., and now we take it for granted, that as he has failed to mention any other place, that St. Louis must be the exception, and all other places in his opinion must partake of the same low groveling spirits" as characterized Gallipolis. Why, our friend is really getting serious, and talks of the communion table and christian duties, as glibly as if he realized the proper state of feeling necessary to assume such obligations, but this attempt on his part to wind himself away in the guise of christianity is but an additional proof of his hypocrisy. Listen to him still in his sanctimonious strain, "well may the American people pray to be delivered," from what? we say, (and here his cloven foot appears again,) and he says "from such loyalty," "and from the control of a party whose cardinal principle is hate," we agree with the gentleman here, and state that one of our "cardinal principles" as a party is hatred of rebellion, secession and treason, in any form. "Let" says he, "the faults of all be buried with them," amen, but let the odium of treason ever live, and its example ever warn others of the fate rebellion. He concluded by saying that "they were all members of the same family, all citizens of a common country." &c. This is a beautiful sentiment and would sound well from an other source. But how any one espousing the cause of secession and rebellion, and then almost in the same breath claiming the honors of as citizens a common country, which they sought to destroy, is beyond "our comprehension." But this inconsistency is but characteristic of this Hybred Klan, without a "cardinal principle" and ready at any time to doff the garb of democracy for that of rebellion, and vice versa, as occasion may require. And we have no doubt but that the blush of shame often mantles the brow of many an honest and well meaning democrat, because he suffers himself to be cajoled and led by this pack of cormorants, seeking "whom they may devour" and just because he is bound by party ties.

But enough. the order of General Logan clearly indicates the object of the day, not to do homage to rebel and to hold again the viper of treason to our bosom to be stung, but to honor the brave men who fell in our country's defence, this is the general understanding everywhere, and was then, and only in justice to those young ladies who so kindly contributed their labor and influence to the occasion, do we notice this low villifier. of which there is nothing so pure, nothing so sacred as to be exempt from the blighting influence of his foul tongue, do we deem it proper to state the facts. thus our object accomplished we leave the editor of the Dispatch to brood over new calumnies.

PLENO JURE.