The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-10
GORDON'S ELOQUENCE.
HE DELIVERS A PATRIOTIC SPEECH
AT ELIZABETH, NJ.
On the.Occasion of Grand ard Enthu-
siastic Reception rendered Him by
Old Veterans OF the Union Army-He
Attacks the Sectionallsts.

ELIzABETH N. j., May 0-Gov Gordon, of
Georgia, was rendered reception here to-
night by the Drake Zouaves and other vet
Grams of the Union Army. Gen. Gordon was
Elliott. On his arrival in the city at $40
o'clock the Zouaves fired q salute from revo-
lutionary cannon. Gen. Gordon and party
were driven TO the residence OF Gov. Green,
where a dinner was served. There were
twenty-five or thirty gentlemen at the table,
including Gen. Kearney, son OF gallant
Phil Kearney; Gen. Abbott, son OF ex-Gov.
Abbott; Adjutant-G Stryker and Gen.
Drake. After the dinner the Drake Zouavos
formed in front OF the residence and pre-
sented arms as the Governor appeared on tho
veranda and escorted Gen. Gordon. Tho
two Governors and Gen. Drake entered into
carriage drawn by four horses; the other
members of the party entered other carriages
and the procession was quickly formed, the
Zouaves and other veterans leading.
The procession moved through crowded
streets TO the armory. the houses along the
line being brilliantly illuminated. pyrotech
mics Of all kinds everywhere and the thor
oughfares ablaze with bonfires. Mayor Grier
| and large assemblage Of citizens gave 10
Gov. Gordon at the armory most enthusi
astic reception. After the formal introduce
ton OF Gov. Gordon. and when the applause
which greeted him as he rose 10 reply had
subsidized, he spoke as follows
Gen. Drake, Ladies and Fellow soldiers-I
scarcely know how 10 thank you for this ma frifV
cent reception, and for the honor paid me in the
| general orders converting this command and max
| Ing the gDlcial of this valiant
corps thank you for the tribute paid me In these
general orders, but had you characterized me as
an ardent friend OF the Republic and Of all men
| who love II and support H. your compliment
| would not SO far have exceeded my merits. | APP
preciaie also the courage which Gen. Drake hns ex
| hibiicd In thus hon0ring the man who 30 nearly
| victmizcd him In the badge episode only few
| weeks ago. When read in the morning papers
that Gen. Drake OF New jersey was about TO
| be expelled from the Grand Army OF the Rcpub-
| lie for pinnng II badge of the order upon
| Gen. Gordon. OF Georgia, aud when further read
| the fiery fulmnations OF the rodoubtable warriors
| who were wheiting their tomahawks for Gen
brakes scalp began 10 think that prudence die.
| lated that md immediate refuge within my own
| jurisdiction. The Indignation OF these iratc gen.
| temen was so intense that another civil war
| seemed the only alternative; for not only had re.
ceiyed one badge At the hands OF your gallant
corps but AZ | rode along the blue line OF these
| thousands Of brave old warrior veterans they had
| covered my breast with badges until was he
| dccked as might have been q marshal Of France
| by his own brave followers H. Therefore the
ire Of these rcd'hot pursuen OF Gen. Drake
| should increase IN proportion 10 the number Of
badges, what would ha,e become OF mc7 Imagine
my relief. however. when, on examination, I
| found not single Grand Army badge, but badges
| OF companies aud regiments and civic organiza.
/ lions All apprehension for Gen brakes rcputa-
| ton an my own safety at once subsidized. and the
blissiul assurance again possessed me that the war
was really over and that peace was 10 be perma'
But, testing aside. how nd Is such an exhibition
| Of temper upon ~ ludicous misapprchension. 1
| do not know how such scene may Affect Others.
| but Us for myself would trust with thousand
/ fold more confidence. the honor and tafciy Of
| the Republic Ia the keeping Of those worn
| and battlescnrTcd heroes. who buried their
| Nc tionai pr,iudiccs at Appomatiox aud who were
glad 10 extend soldiery greetings ~ sincere man
| who bad fought against thcm than 20 trust that
| Republic % the men who were unfh bic 10 hide
their passions even while doing honor 10 the mem.
| DRY u Washington. What l. Il In human chArac.
| ter that brave men and noble women Of AZ ages
| and all civilized countries most love and admircf
What Is IL that history loves 10 record, that lives
longest and eyokc the highest strains in songs and
In story that the sculptor makes speak In the dumb
| white marble, aud the painter immoriallEcs upon
his canvass i passion aud prejudice aud hatci
| or T. Il not mther OodUkc generosity and lofty
| cOumge tempered, bcautincd and ennOblcd BY tho
| spirit u tnnguaunityf
| All. slrs there ia difference In the tribunals
TINT Try aud their actions. There are the ri.
bunals Of the laws aud the courts ny those Cc->-'
| ylction or ncquiial i quick, present aud on tho
| testimony Of eyewitness But the tribunal Of
| rty whose lofty peaks shall 10 the presiding
judge high above the clouds 81 present passion and
glNc 10 hseyc nuu ihf vide swept ui TIE horizon OF
| The past Before that great tribunal Of history we
| shall oil be tried Who would not prefer 90
stand before That bar In the person Of the
| mngnanimOus old veterans who gathered around
the horsc aud eagerly graspcd the hand Of your
speaker lu maternal greeting than In the dlmlnu.
tive INTELLECTUALLY small spirit 81 the i0meuicr 81
| hate IN thi. free and Christian Republic What II
b. BE- the verdict OF that far OF tribunal Of history
| between you and nci between the North
aud the souih-lheir motives and asplrn;
| tons IN the great civil connctf Shall
| tell you what IL will bel II has already
| been chisolcd on 10 the marble shaft erected by
| the broken. hearted Kentucky athcr Of his two
| dead soldier boyt-ono had Joined the Northern.
| the other the souhern army. Both had been
| killed and buried side BY side. ON the monu.
mout above their grave tho father had carved
| words Of this Import Here lie my brave bOys-
| the one died lighting for tie Union. the other for
| the Rights Of thu states EacL died doing his
| duty a. hc c0nccii ell H."
After the address there was a reception,
Gov. Green welcoming Gen. Gordon 20 New
| Jersey.