The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-09-03
United Confederate Veterans.
HRADQuARrERs. =
UNITRRD CONFEDERATE XRrRRANa

UNITEED CONFEDERATE VETERANS, !
NEW ORLEANS, La, Sept. 9Th, 1891.
The following is Gen. John B. Gordon's |
address to the United Confederate Veter. |
ans, and to all The ex-soldiers and sailors |
OF the late Confederate States of America.
1t is published Simultaneous today all over |
the South, with tho view of calling the at. !
tention OF veterans in every Southern |
state 20 the Importance, of forming camps
without delay, and appealing to them to |
join the benevolent, Soci'' and Histori. |
cal" organization of United Confederate
Veterans. Any details or information de-
sired, copies OF Constitution or blanks
wanted, will be promptly furnished by ap-
plylng'ng to General George Moorman, Ad-
jutant-Gcneral and Chief of Staff, New
Orleans, La. Correspondence solicited.
ADDRESS CF TIE GENERAL COMMANDING.
ATLANTA, Ca, Sept. 8, 1889.
10 the ex.Confcdcratc Soldiers and Sail.
ors Of the Confederate States of Amcri-
ca:
The convention of delegates from the
different States which assembled in New
Orleans, June 10, 1889, effected a general
organization known as the Omitted Con-
fcdcrate Veterans" 1t is designed as an
association Of all the bodies Of ex-Confed-
crate veterans throughout the Union. The
convention adopted constitution and did
me the great honor to elect me General,
which position accept with peculiar graf
itication. 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 cooperation not only of every sur
vlVor OF Southern armies, but also that
large contingent of SONS of veterans, who,
TOO young to have received the baptism of
fire have nevertheless received with YOU
the baptism of sufferingland of sacrifice.
The first article of the constitution of
the association declares: "Thc object and
purpose OF this organization will be strict
| ly social, literary, historical aud benoyel.
| ent. 1t will endeavor to unite in a general
federation oil associations of the Confcder-
ate veterans, soldiers, and sailors now in
existence or hereafter to be formed: to
| gather authentic data for an impartial his
| tory of the war between the states: to cre
| serve the relics or mcmentOes of tho same
to cherish the ties of friendship that should
exist among the men who have shared
common dangers, common suffering and
| prlvalionS; to care for the disabled and ex-
tend helping hand to the needy; to pro-
tect the widow and orphan and to make
and preserve the record of the services of
every member, and as far as possible, Of
those of our comrades who have proceed
ed us in eternity.
The last article provides that neither dis
cussion OF political or religious subjects nor
any political action shall he permitted in
the organization and any association viola
ting that provision shall forfeit it member
ship.
GOOD oBJECTs.
Comrades no argument is needed to Sc.
cure tor those objects your enthusiastic en-
dorscment. They have burdened your
thoughts for many years, you have cherish
ed them in sorrow, poverty and humilation
In the face of misconstructiOn YOU have
held them in your hearts with the strength
OF religious convictions. No misjudg-
ments can defeat your peaceful purposes
1or the future. Your aspirations have
been lifted by the mere force and urgency
OF surrounding conditions to a plane far
above the patry consideration OF partisan
triumphs. The honor of the American Re-
public, the.just. powers of the federal GOV
erment. the equal rights of states, the in.
tegrlty of the constitutional union, the
sanctions OF law and the enforcement of
order have no class of defenders more true
and devoted than the eX-soldicrs of the
South and their worthy descendants. But
you realize the great truth that peoplv
7 without the memories Of heroic suffering
r and sacrifices are
fEoPLK WITHOUT A HISTORY.
2 To cherish such memories and recall
r such past, whether crowned with success
, or consecrated in defeat, is to itlealze prin.
clpIe and strengthen character, intensity
love OF country and convert defeat and
, disaster into pillars of support for future
manhood and noble womanhood Whcth.
er tn" Southern people under their chang
ed conditions may ever hope to witness an
other civilization which shall equal that
winch began with their Washington and
ended with their Lee :. is certainly true
that devotion to their s. :0,ls past is not
only the surcst guarantee of future prog.
ress ond the holiest bond of unity, hut is
also the strongest claim they can present to
the cotidcnce and respect Of the other sec.
tions of the Union.
NON-PoLITIoAI
] conclusion beg to repeat In substance
at least, few thoughts recently expressed
ny me to the state organization, which an.
ply with equal force to this general brother.
hood.
1t is political in no sense except 40 for "a
the word political" is n synonyman of the
word patriotic" 1t is a brotherhood over
| which the genius of philanthrophy and pa-
triotlsm, of truth and of justice will pre.
slde, CT philanthrophy, because 1t will sue
N stn1 IL