The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-06
THB CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
Eloquent Appeal 10 Then, Their Friends
and Their Descendants
ADDRESS OF GENERAL JOHN B. GORDON
x,ortancc OF Forming Camps for Preserva
zion Of Glorlous Traditions and Con
eral improvements

address
81 20 all the ex-soldicrs and sailors Of tho
late Confederate States of America. II IS
,uhl;sbsd simultaneously to-day all over the
sor,b with The view of calling the attention
80 yotersns in every Southern State to the
,,onor.ance Of forming camps without delay,
s,l ~ appealing 20 thom to Join the "Beneyo-
Ian, Social and Historical organization Of
Observation-Disclosures Veterans. Any details or
;,formation desired. copies Of constitution or
blanks wanted. will be promptly furnished by
.rnlrine 10 General George Norman, sdju-
t.atccneral and ohief-of-staG. New Orleans
Il The letter has never before been pub
lshed
ADDRESS OF rHr GENERAL COMMANDING.
ATLANTA Ga, Sept. 8, 1889.
10 the ex-Solders and Sailors OF the Confed-
crate States of America.
The convention Of delegates from the differ
an. States which assembled in New Orleans,
Jnne 10 1889 effected a general organization
known A. the q" nited Confederate Neto-
rams 10 is designed as an association OF al
tbe bodies 81 eN-COnfederate veterans and
sailors throughout the Union. The conven-
tion adopted a constitution and did me the
Great honor % elect me General. which POSI-
ton I accept with peculiar qualification. Pre-
lminary to the issue Of any orders
wish % call general attention 10 the
OBJECTS or TIE ASSOCIATION
and 20 enlist in their accomplishment the &c
tive cooperation not only of every survivor
~ Southern armies but also that large con-
t.ngent eff sons of veterans who. too young
10 have received the baptism Of ire have
nevertheless received with you the baptism
of suffering and of sacrifice.
The first article of the constitution OF the
association declares The object and pug
nose OF OF this organization will be strictly So
eial. literary, historical and benevolent. 1t
will endeavOr 10 mite IN general federation
al associations Of the Confederate veterans,
soldiers and sailors. now in existence or mere
after 20 be formed, to gather authentic data
for an impartial history OF the War between
the states. to- preserve the relics or memen-
foes of the same to cherish the ties OF friend
shin that should exist among the men VINO
have shared common dangers common sui
ferng and privati0ns. 10 care for the disabled
and extend q helping hand % the needy; 10
protect the widow and orphan and 70 make
and preserve the record of the services OF every
member. and as far as possible, Of those of
our comrades who have preceded Us III eter-
The last article provides that neither dis
cus.iOn of political or religious subjects nor
any political action shall be permitted II the
organization. and any association violating
tltl lIUi l-lNA aA4hA4 A'i At+~ 40 A-+~-'N
GOOD OBJECTS.
Comrades. no argument is needed to secure
f0r those objects your enthusiastic nd0rsc-
ment. They have burdened your thoughts
far many wears YOU have cherished them III
sorrow poverty and humiliation. In the face
OF Inisc0nsirucuOn you have held them III
your hearts with the strength of religious
convictions No misiudgments can defeat
yCur uesceful purposes tor the future. Your
Aspirations have been lifted by tho mere force
and urgency # surrounding conditions %
plane far above the paltTy consideration OF
partisan ,rumpbs. The honor OF the Amer
ican republic, the Just powers of the
Federal Government. the equal rights of
States the integrity OF the cOnstltu-
ti0nal union. tho sanctions of laws and
the enforcement Of order have no class of de-
Tenders more true and devoted than the eX-
soldier Of the South and their worthy de
scendants. But you realize the great truth
that people without the memories OF heroic
suffering aud sacrifices are
PEOPLE WITHOUT A HISTORY.
To cherish such memories and recall such
past. whether crowned with success or conse-
Grated in defeat is 90 idealize principle and
strengthen character intensity love of coun-
Try and convert defeat and disaster into pill
lars Of support for future manhood and
noble wonanhood. Whether the South
em people under their changed con
another civilization which shall equal
that which began with their Washington
and ended with their Lee il is certainly true
that devotion TO their glorious past IS not
only the surest guarantee Of future progress
and the hottest bond of unity. but is also the
strongest claim they can present 10 the conf
denoe and respect of the other sections of the
Union.
NON-PoLITICAL.
In onnclucicr, Iao o. ra,,o.t IN, ,Icto
Al least, few thoughts recently expressed by
me % the State organization. which apply
VIII equal force 20 this general brotherhood.
IL is political IN no sense except so lar as the
Mofl political IS Il synonym of the word
patriotic" IL is n brotherhood over which
the genus Of philanthropy and patriotism, Of
ruth snd Of Justice will preside of philan-
ihiopy, because II Will succor the disabled
help the needy, strengthen the weak and
eheer the diSconsOiate; OF patriotism because
y VII cherish the past glories of the dead Con-
4elefacy and transmute them into living in
sphatons for future service 70 the living IT,
puoic OF truth, because II Will seek 70
gather and preserve az witnesses for history
tle annpeachable facts which shall doom
lalsehood 70 die that truth may live; Of JUS
nee because It will cultivate national a. well
a. southern fraternity and will condemn mar
Tow nlndedness and prejudice and passion,
AAoculuYate that broader, higher. nObler SEN
Nmeut, which would write on the grave of
every soldier who fell ON either side: Here
Aes an American hero. a martyr 70 the right
Is hisconsclence conceived it,"
GENERAL ORGANIZATION.
lreloice that a general organization too
s0ng neglected has been at last perfected. Ii
Is brotherhood which all honorable mon
Must approve and which heaven itself will
ol7ss. call upon you. therefore. TO organize
~ every state and community where ex-
Noniederates may reside and rally to the
support Of the high and peaceful objects of
lne nited Confederate Veterans - and
move forward until by the power of organiza-
I.Vn and persistent effort your benefcent and
'Afsuan purposes are fully accomplished.
D. b. GORDON. Commanding General.
Governor McfSinney's Old Home.
iAhhWLE,Na Sept Especial. Young
- union prayer meeting Will be held N
80 lfesbyteran church tomorrow at 2.30
ar W. 4. Burger. Jr. has been appointed
lesser OF the poor for farmyllle district,
'g ne Mr. W. T. Doyne, resigned.
n ne BAPTIST Sunday school no a meeting
tuesday night voted down the proposition TO
AS,e pcnic on the 6th.
ms - tssie Pauleit who attended the Dan
.r ..o SoAege for young ladies' last session. re-
Sr1ou 70 mat Institution Wednesday