The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-17
JOHN B. GORDON, OF GEORGIA.

y The scene at Appomattox Courthouse wa
; at once solemn and grand, when Gen. Gordon
t from his saddle babe farewell to the Louisiana
I troops and others, who, with parole in hand
} clustered around him with full hearts and
8 fearful eyes to listen to his address, and tc
} take perhaps last look at their gallant and
beloved chieftain, the worthy successor OF
Stonewall Jackson. His appearance Che is
every inch soldier, and every inch many
and his eloquent tribute to the few survivors
of his Spartan band will never be forgotten
by those who were present. And as we saw
him then, full of life and vigor, and with
nobility of mind and soul delineated in every
expression Of his countenance, so we can
imagine we saw him as he rose from his seat
in Congress to pay tribute to the people of
Louisiana, who had been unjustly assailed
and maligned by false Senator from their
own State.
When Senator West, who was sent to the
United States Congress by Legislature COM
posed Of horde of characterless Adventures
vilified the people of Louisiana, whom he
should have been the first to defend, Gen.
John B. Gordon arose and said "When the
people whom he (Gordon) loved as his own
life, whose fortunes were his through veal or
woe, through life or death, were held up as
assassins or murderers, he could not, and
would not remain silent and if his voice and
gestures were tremulous now with emotion, it |
was not the emotion of anger, but the emotion
of indignation at the outrage perpetrated
upon his people,"
His people! How has Louisiana fallen
when Senator from the sister State of
Georgia has to vindicate her honor, and re-
flute the slanderous assertions of her own
Senator. If Louisiana has been denied the
right Of being properly represented in the
United States Senate by gentlemen of refine
ment and culture, identified with her inter-
ssts and proud of her good ma me, thank God
here is one from a sister State who is willing
o be the champion of her cause, one of whose
private character and public reputation any
State or any people might well be proud one
Who has led Louisianians in the field; one
Who has shared with them dangers, trials and '
lardships of war, and learned to look upon il
hem as friends.
The people Of Florida on the 18th inst, y
trough their Legislature requested Gen. Cor "
on to look after their interests until their n
should return to Washington, u
nd the people of Louisiana might well fol- p
ow their example, and ask Messrs. Gordon,
thurman and their other brave large-hearted N
lends in Congress to represent them and d.
leir interests until such time as they can be al
'presented by men of their own choice.
Feeling the delicacy of his position as =,
confederate leader, Gen. Gordon was 10th to At
y anything which might be construed as an as
tack upon the Federal Government, and g.
silent during the debate until West
aduced the people Of Louisiana, when he
repealed the false accusations in
speech SO catholic, patriotic and true as to
} unanswerable. In the name Of all Louisi-
ians we thank Gen. Gordon for his gallant mr.
Tense of them at time when no representa- +,
70 Of our own was present to champion her of
use. w