The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-08-21
GOVERNOR GORDON'S
MAGNIFICENT ADDRESS TO
THE OLD GUARD
AZ the Organization of the Georgia
Confederate veterans AssOcIa-
ton at Administrations Utter
anCeS of Gallant Gentleman.

tiOn at AtIauta-GSIOriOus Utter
anCeS of a Gallant Gentleman.
Governor John B. Gordon delivered an
address before the Confederate veterans
in the capitol at Atlanta, Ga, last Thurs
day evening. The meeting, as already
stated, was held for the purpose of form
ing State association of Confederate
veterans. The Governors speech was en-
Enthusiastically received. He said:
my Comrades-brothers of the once
invincible and still immortal Confederate
Army: 1t is fortunate for both YOU and
myself that but few words are expected
of me tonight; for while my heart is lull
and my brain is throbbing with thoughts
of the present, memories of the past and
suggestions for the untried future, any
extended remarks by me would be alto
gethcr unseemly. 1t is still more fortu-
nate for you that others are to speak,
for the wealth Of their uttcranCes will in
some measure compensate, trus.,
for the poverty of mine. | will not
attempt to describe the feelings
that thrill me on meeting for the
first time convention of Confctlcratcs
gathered from all portions Of our State
You must know, my brethren, that to
hold place i'll your confidence and atfcc-
tion is both food and sustcnance to my
spirit, and almost as ncedful as daily
bread to the physical man. Nor will
attempt to describe the hcHrtiness and
the completeness of the welcome accorded
you, for each and all of you must know
that there is not an acre of Georgia S soil
that will not be hOnored by the tread of
your soldier feet, and not home in her
borders but would be made brighter and
happier by claiming you as its guest.
ut is fitting, perhaps that your State
organization should have been effected in
this capital city. Not solely because it is
the capital of your State, but because of
the memories that cluster around it, and
because it's battlc-turrowcd and battle
hallowed hills will remain fit memorial
of your peerless valOr so long as martial
valor is honorcd by men or these ever
lasting hills shall endure. rejoice that
Il State organization, too long neglected,
is ut last perfected. 1t is Il brotherhood
which all honorable men must approve
and which Heaven itself will bless.
1t is political i'll no sense except so far
as the word political is a synonym for
the word patriotic. 1t ISa brotherhood
over which the genius of philanthropy,
of patriotism, Of truth and ofjusticc will
prcsidc-of philanthropy, because it will
succor the disabled, help the needy,
strengthen the weak and cheer the dis
consolate; of patriotism. because it will
cherish the past glories Of the dead Con
fedcracy and transmute them into inspir-
ations for future service to the living
republic Ofjusticc, because it will seek
to gather and preserve as witnesses for
history the unimpeachablc facts which
shall doom falschood to die that truth
may live, OfjustiCe, because it will cul-
tivate national as well as Southern fra
ternty, and will condemn IL" 70 xmind
edness and prejudice and passion, and
cultivate that broader, higher, nobler
sentiment which would write on the
grave of every soldier who fell on either
side: Here lies a hcro-a martyr to the
right as his conscience conceived it,.
81 esteem it high privilege to have
my name enrolled with such a brother
hood. My hearts desire and prayer to
Almighty God is that may so live as to
bring no discrcdit to your ranks, and
when am dead to be esteemed worthy
a place in your memory"