The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-07
United Confederate Veterans.


UNITED CONFEDERATE VETERANS,
NEW ORLEANS, La, Sept. 8. 1891.
. The following is Gen. John B. Gordon's
ad dress to the United Confederate Veterans,
and to all the ex-soldiers and sailors OF the
late confederate states:
ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL COMMANDER.
ATLANTA, Ca, Sept ;. 1891.
To the E.c-SoldierS and Sailors Of the Con-
fsderdte States of America:
The convention OF delegates from the diff
ferent states which assembled in New Or
leans June 10, 1889, effected a general
organization known as the United Cons
federate Veterans It is designed as an as
sociation of all the bodies of ex-oonfederate
veterans and sailors throughout the union.
The convention adopteda constitution and
did me the great honor to elect me general,
which position accept with peculiar grati~
fication. 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 corporation not only of every sur
vivor 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 suffering and OF sacrifice.
The first article Of the constitution of the
association declares: The obj9ct and pur-
pose of this organization will be strictly
social, literary, historical and benevolent.
1t will endeavor to unite in general fedora
ton all associations of the confederate vet.
Grams, soldiers and sailors now in existence
or hereafter to be formed; to gather authen-
tic data for an impartial history Of the war
between tho states; to preserve the relics or
mementoes of the same; TO cherish the ties
r-tn ,l-k,T oh
men who have shared common dangers,
common suffering and priyatOns; 10 care
for the disabled and extend 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 possible, of those of our comrades who
have preceded us in eternity"
The last article provides that neither dis
cusslon of political or religious subjects nor
any political action shall be permitted in
the organization, and any association violat-
ing that provision shall forfeit its member
ship.
GOOD OBJECTS.
Comrades, no argument is needel to Sc
cure for those objects your enthusiastic in =
dorsement. They have burdened your
thoughts for many years, you have cher
ished them in sorrow poverty aud humile-
ton. In the face of misc instruction you
have held them in your hearts with the
strength of religious convictions. No mis-
judgments can defeat your peaceful pur-
poses for the future Your aspirations
have been lifted by the mere force
and urgency of surrounding conditions
to a plane far above the paltry
consideration of partisan triumphs The
honor Of the American republic, 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 defenders more true and devoted than
the ex-soldiers Of the south and their
worthy descendants. But you realize the
great truth that a people without the mem
cries of heroic suffering aud sacrifices are
PEOPLE WITHOUT A HISTORY
To cherish suoh memories and recall such
past, whether crowned with success or
consecreted in defeat, is to ideahze princi-
pie and strengthen character, intensity love
OF country and convert defeat and disaster
into pillars Of support for future manhood
and noble womanhood. Whether the
southern people, under their changed con-
ditions, may ever hope 60 witness another
civilization which shall equal that which
began with their Washington and ended
with their Lee, it is certainly true, that de-
yotion to their glorious past Is not only the
surest guarantee of future progress and the
hottest bond Of uaity, but is also the strong.
est claim they can present to the confidence
and respect of the other sections Of the
union.
NON-POLITICAL.
In conclusion beg to repeat, in substance
at least, a few thoughts recently expressed
by me to the state organization, which ap.
ply with equal force to this general broth
hood.
1t is political in no sense except so far as
the word political" is synonym of the
word patriotic. II ise brotherhood over
which the genius of philanthrophy aud pa
triotism, of truth and Of justice will pre-
side; of philanthropy, because it will sue
cor the disabled, help the needy, strengthen
the weak and cheer the disconsolate of pa
triotism, because it will cherish
the past glories Of the dead
confederacy and transmute theminto living
inspirations for failure service to the living
republic; of truth, because it will seek TO
to gather and preserve as witnesses for
history the unimpeachGble facts which shall
doom falsehood to die that truth may live
OF justice, because it will cultivate national
as well as southern fraternity and will con-
denim narrow-mindedness and prejudice 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, a
martyr to the right as lis conscience con-
ceived it."
GENERAL ORGANIZATION.
rejoice that general organization too
long neglected has been at last perfected.
1t is 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-confederates may reside and
rally to the support of the high aud peace
full objects Of the "United Confederate Vet
erans," and move forward until by the
power of organization and persistent effort
your benefcent and Christian purposes are
fully accomplished. J. b. GORDON,
Commanding General
Against Mr.. Parnell.
NASHVILLE, TENN, Sept. 6.-The Par
nell branch Of the Irish national league here
ected delegates to the national league
convention and resolved as the sense Of the