The Opelousas courier., 1891-09-05
Address of the General Commanding.
ATLANTA, GA, Sept. 8, 1859.
To the ex.Soldiers and Sailors Of the Confede

ANNFtsS OF t0S UTeAAGEHA SVsAhEstaHsARHS'
ATLANTA, GA, Sept. 8, 1859.
To the ex.Soldiers and Sailors Of the Confcder
ate States of America
The convention of delegates from tho differ
ent states which assembled in New Orleans,
Il 10, 1889, effected a general organization
known as the /" United Confederate Veterans
1t is designed as an association of all bodies OF
eX-Conlederate Veterans and Sailors through
out the Union. The convention adopted a con.
stltution and did me the great honor to elect
me General, which position l accept with pc
culiar 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-opera.
ton not only of every survivor of Southern
armies, but also that large contingent OF sons
Of Veterans, who, top young to have received
the baptism of fire, have nevertht less received
with you the baptism OF suffering and oil sacfl-
fee.
The first article of the constitution of the as.
s~ociation declares; 1.-THE object and purpose
of this organization will be strictly social, lit
erary, historical and benevolent. 1t Will ell
deavor to unite in a general federation all as
soeiationS Of the Confederate vererans, soldiers
and sailors now in existence or hereafter to be
formed to gather authentic data for an impair
tial history OF the war between the states: to
preserve the relics or mementoes OF the same;
to cherish the ties of friendship that should ex-
ist among the men who have shared common
dangers, common suffering and priyatlous to
care for the disabled and extend a helping hand
to the needy to protect the widow and orphan
and to make and preserve the record of the
services of every member, and as far as posi-
BILE, Of those of our comrades who have pre-
ceded us ineteFntty."
The last article provides that neither discus
sion OF political or religious subjects nor any
political action shall be permitted in the Or
ganizafion and any association violating that
provision shall forfeit its membership.
Comrades, no argument Is needed TO secure
for these objects your enthusiastic endorse
ment. They have burdened your Thoughts for
many years, you have cherished them in sor-
row, poverty and humiliation. In the lace of
hearts with the strength OF religious convic-
lions No m~1sjudgnlents can defeat your
peaceful purposes for the future. Your aspira-
tons have been lifted by the mere force and
urgency OF surrounding conditions to q plane
lar above the paltry consideration of partisan
r1umphs The honor OF the American Repub-
lie. the just powers OF the federal government,
the equal rights OF states, the integrity OF the
constitutional union, the sanctions of law and
the enforcement of order have no class of de-
Tenders more true and devoted than the e1-
soldiers OF the South and their worthy descend
ants. But You realize the great truth that a
people without the memories of heroic suffering
ana sacrifices are q people without q history.
To cherish such memories and recall such g
past, whether crowned with success or conge-
Grated In defeat, is TO idealize principle and
strengthen Character, intensity love OF country
anu convert defeat and disaster into pillars Of
support Tor futufe manhood and noble woman
nood. whether the Southern people under
their changed conditions may ever hope 10
witness another CIVILIZATION which shall equal
eHa0 NhASA EuCS&4 VIII AQSlE HdSullEL0D ana
eAded with thelr Lee, II Is certainly true that
devotion 10 their q rious past is not only the
sufeSL guarantee Ut future progress ami the
hottest bond Of unity, but is also the strongest
claim they can present TO the eonhdenc aud
respect OF the other sections OF the Union.
u cone aslon l Deg TO repeat. IN substance
az least, q few thoughts recently expressed by
me 70 the state Organization, which apply with
equal force To this general brotherhood.
Ibls pontical IN no sense except SO far as the
wore p0ntlcalP Is q ynony of the word
pa f1otfe.p It is a brotherhood over which
me genius OF phtlanthrophy and patriotism,
OF truth and or Justice viii preside; OF philan-
Lhrophy, because 1t will succor the disabled.
he1p the needy, strengthen the weak and cheer
the dlsconSolat6 of patriotism, because ii will
cnefisn the past glorfes of the dead Confedera-
ey and transmute them into living Inspirations
Ior nItnre service to the living republic ; Of
truth. because 1t will seek to gather aud pre-
serve as witnesses for history the unimpeacha-
bic facts which shall doom falsehood to die
truth may live of justice, BECAUSE it will
cultivate national as well as Southern ~fraterni.
" ana Will condemn narrow mindedness and
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 an American hero. q
martyr TO the right as his conscience conceiv.
ed it,
! rejoice that q general organization too long
protherhood which all honorable men must
approve and which heaven itself will bless. I
call upon you therefore 10 organize in every
State and community where ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
may reside and rally to the support of the ugh
and peaceful objects of the United Confeder-
power OF organization and persistent effort
your benefcent and christian purposes are fully
accomplished. j. B. GORDON,
Commanding General.