Wichita eagle., 1889-05-10
RECEIVED BY VETERANS.
Governor Gordon, of Georgia, Addresses
the Drake Zouaves at Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH, n. j., May Ex-Governor
Gordon, of Georgia, was rendered a recep-
ton here tonight by the Drake Zouaves
and other veterans of the union army at
the armory. After formal introduction
Governor Gordon spoke as follows:
General Drake, ladies and fellow SOL
diers-I scarcely know how to thank you
for this magnificent reception and for the
honor paid me in the general orders con-
vening the command and making me a
special guest af this gallant veteran corps.
! thank you for the tribute paid ME
in these general orders, but had
you characterized me as an
an ardent friend of the republic and of all
men who love it and support it, your COM
pliment would not SO far have exceeded
my merits.
Il appreciate also the courage which
General Drake has exhibited in thus hon
orinE the man who so nearly victimized
him In the badge episode only few weeks
! ago. When l read in the morning papers
that General Drake, of New Jersey, was
about TO be expelled from the Grand Army
of the Republic for pinning badge of the
order upon General Gordon, of Georgia;
and when l further read the
fiery fulminations of the redoubt-
able warriors who were whetting
scalp. / began to think that prudence
dictated that L find immediate refuge
within my own jurisdiction, The indig-
nation of these irate gentlemen was so in
tense that haSty retreat or another civil
war seemed the only alternatives; for not
only had ] received one badge at the hands
of your gallant corps but as | rode along
the blue line of these thousands of brave
old warrior veterans they had covered my
breast with badges until / was bedecked
as might have been Il mar
shall of France by his own brave fol-
lowers. If. therefore, the ire of
the red hot pursuers of General Drake
should increase in proportion TO the num-
Der of badges what would have become of
on examination | found not a single Grand
Army badge, but la iges of companies
and regiments and civic organizations.
All apprehension for General brakes rep
utation and my own safety at once sub
sided and the blisSful assurance at once
possessed me that the war was really over
and that peace was TO be permanent
But, testing aside, how sad Is such an
exhibition of temper upon so ludicrous a
misapprehension. | do not know how
such a scene may affect others. but as for
myself would trust myself with a thou
sand fold more confidence the honor and
safety of the republic to the Keeping of
their sectional prejudices at Appomattox.
and who were glad TO extend soldierlv
greeting TO sincere man who had fought
against them, than 10 trust that republic
to men who were unable TO hide their pas
slons even while doing honor 10 the mem
DRY of Washington. What is it in man 5
character that brave men and noble women
of all ages and all civilized countries
most love and admired What is it
that history loves TO record, that lives
longest and evokes the highest strains in
in song and in story? That the sculptor
makes speak in dumb white marble and
the painter immortalizes rpon his can
vass? Is 1t passion and prejudice and
hatef or Is it not rather God-like generos-
ity and lofty courage, tempered, beauti-
fed and ennobled by the spirit of magnan-
unity?
"Ah, sirs, there is a difference in tri-
bunals that try men and their actions.
There are the tribunals of laws and
the courts. By those conviction or
aequittal is quickly presented. and on
testimony of eyewitness, but the
tribunal of history ssa4ds afar OF