The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-10
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY,
General Gordon and Others Speak at a
Meeting Held for the Confederate Home.

New YORK, April 9.-As it was known General
Grant would not preside at the Confederate
home" meeting in Cooper Union, tonight, the
large hall was not as crowded as it otherwise
would have been, yet fully fifteen hundred per-
sons were present and enthusiastic for the sue
cess of the movement. Corporal Tanner, of
Brooklyn, presided, and exercises began by the
band playing Dixie Many letters of regret
were read. General Hancock sent assur-
ance of his very best wishes and
efforts for success. General Bristow promised
his support. DR.. Talmage also sent a letter of
sympathy with the movement in lieu of his pres
ence. Gen. Gordon made the speech of the even
ing. He began thus: "As an ex.confederate
soldier who surrendered his arms and forces to
your great general at A%ppomattox, l greet you
tonight with pleasure sincere and profound.
The cause which brings us here is worthy the
men whose heroism in the late war thrilled the
world with establishment and admiration. 1t is
a movement by brave and magnanimous victors
to protect, shelter and befriend the dis
abled and suffering of their honorable
and valiant though vanquished brothers.
1t is to make practical, to give form, direction
and scope to an impulse conceived in modest
minds, born of brave and generous hearts, in
Splreu Dy OOu-IlKe cnaf1ty, ana Wnlcn IS deS-
tined to exert q power for good on the future of
this reunited country-resistless, measureless,
enduring. This movement, my countrymen, in
its effects upon those now living and those who
are to come after us, is worth more to this coun-
try than all resolutions of political platforms or
parties; more than all appeals by eloquent lips for
the restoration of sectional concord and American
fraternity; for it is the Northern hearts own
eloquence, addressed to the Southern hearts
own sensibilities. 1t is brotherhood accom-
plished. 1t obliterates passion. 1t touches,
~softens, and unites all hearts of all our people,
and will bind them together in bonds of brother
ly affection, sincere, strong, and immortal. To
understand that the significance of this move
ment, unsolicited and spontaneous, is not ex-
aggerated, it is sufficient to know it receives the
sanction and cooperation of the brave
men of the federal army, from
its great e~x-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 pension paid by the federal govern
ment. 1t remains only to add 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 chivalry
and martial spirit; love, glory and appreciation of
honorable, truthful and intrepid character; the
scorn OF meanness, baseness and cQwardice; the
courage to strike a Drawer blow for
right than any power dare strike for wrong; and
the assured greatness and benetcence of our
common country, the South and the North, as
one great army marching to acommon glory and
under a common flag, emblem of a Union, one
and inseparable.'
General Gordon was frequently interrupted
by applause in the course of his address and
very loudly cheered as he closed and was fol
lowed by General Floyd King.
1t was stated that Florida had voted 81, 300
for the home and that chairman Tanner had
raised a like sum. Many confederate and fed
eral soldiers were on the stage.