Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-04-26
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
Movement Looking TO the Establishment Of a
Home for Disabled coniederates.
New York Dispatch.


As nown Gen. Grant would moi
preside at 1.-THE Confederate Homev meet.
ing in Cooper Union, owing to disability,
the large hall was not crowded, as it other
wise would have been, yet fully 1,5OO per-
sons were present and enthusiastic for the
success Of the movement. Corporal Tanner,
Of Brooklyn, presided, and the exercises
began by the band playing "Dixie. -
Many letters Of regret were read. Gen.
Hancock sent assurance of his very best
wishes and efforts for success. Gen. Bris.
tow promised his support. DR.. Talmage
also sent q letter Of sympathy with the
movement in lieu of his presence. Gen. j.
B. Gordon made the speech OF the evening.
He began thus:
SPEECH OF GEN. GORDON.
As an ex-Confederste soldier who sur
rendered his arms and forces to your great
captain at Appomatox Court House, Va. /
greet you with pleasure sincere and pro-
found. The cause which brings us here is
worthy the men whose hernism In the late
war thrilled the world with astonishmeni
and admiration. 1t is movement by brave
and magnanimous victors to protect, shell
ter and befriend the disabled and suffering
of their valiant, though vanquished breth-
rem. 1t is to make practical, to give form
and direction and scope to an impulse con-
ceived in the noblest minds, born Of brave
and generous hearts, inspil ed by god-like
charity, and which is destined to exert a
power for good on the future Of this resnited
country, resistless, measureless, enduring.
This Government, my countrymen, in its
efforts upon those now living and those who
are to come after us, Is worth more to this
country than all resolutions of political
platforms or parties, more than all appeals
by eloquent lips for a restoration of section
al concord and American fraternity, for 1t
is Northern hearts own eloquence addressed
to Southern hearts own sensiDiiities. 1t is
a brotherhood accomplished. 1t obliterates
passion; 1t touches, softens and unites all
hearts Of all our people, and will bind them
together in bond Of brotherly affection
sincere, strohg and immortal. To under
stand that the significance of this movement
unsolicited and spontaneous, is not exsg-
gerated, 1t is sufficient to know that it re-
ceives the sanction and cooperation Of
brave men Of the Federal army, from its
great ex-commander, whose fame fills all
continents down to the humblest private
who himself, manned and poor, is ready to
contribute to this cause from the small pen
sion paid by the Government. 1t remains
only to add that that among the blessings
which have resulted from our great conflict
which are common to all Is the courage and
discipline of soldier citizenship. The chiv.
airy and martial spirit, love and glory, of
honorable and intrepid character. The
scorn Of meanness and baseness Of cow
ardice. The courage to strike q braver
blow for right than any power dare strike
fer wrong. The assured greatness and
benefcence Of our common country, the
South and the North, as one great army
to common glory and under a
flag, the emblem Of Union, one
and iuseparable.
Gen. Gordon was frequently interrupted
by applause in the course of his address,
and vociferously cheered as he closed.
Gen. Geo. A. Sheridan made character
istic speech, and was followed by Gen.
Floyd King and Judge Tourgee. 1t was
stated that Florida had voted 81, 800 for the
home, and that Chairman Tanner had
raised like sum. Many Confederate and
Federal soldiers were on the stage.