Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-19
GEN. GORDON OF GEORGIA.

A Temporary Alliance TO Rescue the
Constitution no DishOnOr-In Unity
ana obedience Lies the Might OF
Armies.
The New York Tribune of the 10th ult.,
having announced that Gen. Gordon, Gen.
Bate, Of Tennessee, and other prominent
Southern gentlemen, had expressed sympa-
thy with the Cincinnati movement, and
were favorably to Greeley, Gen. Gordon
was incurred Of touching the authority for
such announcement, as to him. The fol-
lowing letter was received in reply TO that
inquiry:
BALTIMORE, May q, 1S72.-My Dear
Sir: Your letter addressed to me at New
York is received; and 1 hasten to give a
frank answer to the questions it contains,
since not merely the compliment contained
in the request that l define my position
upon the matters now absorbing The
thoughts Of Democrats, but the duty in
cum6ent upon every man in this crisis to
see that his position is neither misunder-
stood nor misrepresented, demand both
fIankness and promptitude.
You ask me first, whether l have "de-
clared for Greeley?' answer, mo"
You ask, also, if it be true that ''favor
his elecGOn?" If you mean by this ques-
ton to ascertain merely my indiriduGI
sentiments, 1 again answer emphaticAlly,
"nO."
Surely l need not tell you how gladly l
shall lend all the aid in my power to the
support Of Democratic nominee, upon
Democratic platform, if the assembled wis
dom OF the party, in Convention, shall de-
eide upon a nomination.
TO elect such a ticket, upon such plat
form, would be to bring back life again to
the Republic, Teadjust the balances of State
and Federal authority, and restore to the
people the Magma Charta Of their liberties.
Indeed, were | TO consult my impulses
alone | should advise Democratic ticket,
Democratic fight under Democratic ban
ncrs, even though we might not win
Democratic victory.
But if you ask me whether this be wis
dOm-whether it be the best mode to Sc
cure in the end the triumph of Democratic
principles and the freedom of our sister
Southern States from military desrOtism
i reply that this is a question which l
cannot as yet-which no man can as yet
presume TO answer categorically, until the
situation, its responsibilities, its oppOrtuni-
ties and its perils, have been discussed by
the convention Of delegates, not yet assem-
bled.
But will say briefly, that l think it is
we'll TO have a National Convention. 1t is
more than well-it is UitdL that the party
organize as a Democratic party! 1t would
be national calamity-iJ would be crime
against posterity to disband an orgsniza-
ton which, for seventy years, has survived
foreign and civil commissions; which has
now The proud satisfaction of seeing some
Of its fundamental principles recognized by
the wisest Of its former antagonists and
whose history is the history of whatever is
benefcent, patriotic or glorious in the pOlit-
iCal career of the country. Let no Demo
Crat, above all, no Southern Democrat, talk
of disbauding. So long as there is any
thing left of the Constitution there viii be
need for the party which has always de-
Tended it.
Finally, let me express an earnest hope
that with the freest discussion and most
candid avOwal of opinions, no rash judg
ment may be formed of the motives of
any. No man is infdliible. All in the
South see doubtless, the common good.
They have been too recently purified in the
fires If atiiiCtion TO be other than honest;
and suffer too keenly nO1v TO be long in dis
Cussing the best mode Of relief. Surely
every man must see that all our strength
lies in unity Of action. Let us not divide
into attachments, alicnated and embittered
nv controversies, previous to the assembling
of the Convention.
If it be thought best, in order to defeat
the destructive party 10 whose misrule the
South owes her ruin, and from which the
whole country suffers, TO vote even for
Horace Greeley, let no Democrat strengthen
the hands Of his enemies by declaring that
he will not heed the voice of his party.
Most of us have been soldiers let us re-
member wherein lies the might Of armies.
If the convention shall say that victory
and relief can be most surely won by
uniting in this battle with all who oppose
Federal usurpations, l, for one, am ready to
obey IFS commands. And / should do so,
without feeling that our standard had been
lowered, or cur honor furnished by thus
locking shields, with former ad Versaries, for
a final charge. If only by the temporary
alliance of Democrats and Liberals, the
arch enemies Of justice and freedom can
be defeated, and real, substantial benefit
secured 10 the country, what man win be
ashamed that he sacrificed individual pre-
ferences or personal feeling 10 rescue the
CorS ution ard save the liberties Of the
peOl - Very truly yours,
J. B. GORDON.