The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-04
GORDON THE OLD VETS
HE ACCEPTS THE COMMAND OF
THE ASSOCIATION.

INC OrOSr DeslEnou as an ASSOCIATION
of All Bodies of Ex-Confederate Sol
diers and Sailors Throughout the
Union-Its Objects Social, Literary
Historical and Benevolent.
ATLANTA GA, Sept 3.-The following
is Gen. John B. Gordon's address to the
United Veterans Confederate Association
on the occasion of his accepting the COM
mand:
HEADQR's. UNITED CoNFEDERArE vEvERANs,
ATLANTA, GA, Sept. g. 1889.
To the Er-Soldiers and Sailors Of the Late
Confederate States Of America:
Inc convention of delegates from the differ
ent states, which assembled in New Orleans
on June 10, effected general organi.
2ation, designated as the UNITED Confederate
Veterans" 1t is designed as an association
OF all the bodies OF eX-confederate soldiers and
sailors throughout the union. The convention
adopted constitution and did me the great
honor TO elect me general which position
accept with peculiar qualification. Preliminary
TO the issue OF any orders, wish to call general
attention to the objects Of this association and to
enlist In their accomplishment, the active Co
operation not only of every survivor Of the
southern armies, but also that large contingent
the sons or veterans, who, too young TO have
received the baptism Of fire, have nevertheless
received with you the baptism Of suffering and
Of sacrifice.
OBJECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION,
The first article of the constitution of the
association declares: ''The objects and pur
poses Of this organization will be strictly social
literary, historical and benevolent, II will en-
deavor to unite general federation of all the
associations Of confederate veterans, soldiers
and sailors now in existence or hereafter
to be formed; to gather authentic data for
an impartial history of the war between
the states; 20 preserve the relies or mementos
OF the same; TO cherish the ties of friendship
that should exist among men who have shared
common dangers, common sufferngs and pri-
vatations; to care for the disabled and extend a
helping hand to the needy; to protect the wiuow
and orphan and to make and preserve record
of the services of every member aud as far as
possible of those Of our comrades who have
preceded us into eternity"
POLITICS BARRED OUT.
The last article provides that neither discus
sion Of political or religious subjects, nor any
political action shall be permitted in the organ
ization, and any association violating that pro-
vision will forfeit its membership"
Comrades, no argument is needed to secure
for these objects your enthusiastic indorse-
ment. They nave burdened your thoughts for
many years. You have cherished them in sorrow,
poverty and humiliation. In the face of mis-
construction, you have held them in YOUR
hearts with the strength of religious convic-
| tons. No ml51udgnents can defeat your
peaceful purposes for the future. Your aspra-
tions have been lifted by mere force and this
urgency of surrounding conditions 20 a plane
far above the paltry considerations of partisan
triumphs.
soUTHERNERs AS DEFENDERS
The honor of the American republic, the just
powers Of the federal government, the equal
rights Of the states, the integrity of constitu-
| tional union, the sanctions of law and the en-
| forcemeut of order have no class of defenders
more true and devoted than the ex-solders OF
| the south and their worthy descendants. But
| you realize the great truth that the people
| without memories of heroic Deeds heroic
sunerings and sacrifices is poo
pie without history; that &c
whether crowned with success or consecrat ed
in defeat is to idealize principle and strength of
| character, intensity love Of country and con
vert defeat and disaster into pillars of support
| for the future manhood and noble womanhood.
CIVILIZATION OBJ THE PAST.
Whether the southern people, under their
changed conditions, may ever hope
| to witness another civization which
| shall equal that which began with
| their Washington and ended with their Lee, it
| is certainly true that devotion to their glorious
| past is not only the surest guarantee Of the
future progress and holest bond OF unity, but is
| also the strongest claim they can present to the
| confidence and respect of the other sections
| of the union. In conclusion beg to repeat, in
| substance at least, a few thoughts recently ex-
! pressed by me to the state organization which
| apply with equal force to this general brother
| hood. 1t is political in no sense except SO far
I
word patriotic"
PHILANTHROPY AND PATRIOTISM.
It is a brotherhood over which the genius of
philanthropy and the patriotism of truth and
Of justice will preside; of philanthropy be-
cause it will succor the disabled help the needy,
strengthen the weak and cheer the disconsolate;
Of patriotism, because it will cherish the
past glories OF, the dead confederacy and trans
mute them into inspirations for future ser
vice to the living republic; Of truth, because
it will seek to gateer and preserve as witnesses
for history unimpeachable facts which shall
doom fasehood to die that truth may live; of
igstice, because 1t viii cultivate the national as
well as the southern fraternity, and will CON
denim narrow-nindedness and prejudice and
passion, and cultivate that broader. higher,
nober sentiment which would write the
grave of every soldier who fell on either side.
Here lies a hero-a martyr to right as his CON
| science conceived it."
TOO LONG NEGLECTED.
rejoice that general organization, too long
neglec ed, has been at last perfected. 1t is a
brotherhood which all honorable men must
approve and which heaven itself will bless. /
call upon you therefore, to organize in every
state and community where ex-confe1erates
NAV reside, and to rally to the support of the
high and pc 4cefuI objects of the united Con
federate Veterans Association and move for
ward until by the power OF orgalzation and
persistent effort, your beneticent and christian
purposes are fully achieved.
J. b. GORDON, General.
The generals staff will be announced in a
few DAYS aud directions given as to the
methods of organizing and of admission
into the general association.