The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-09-09
UNITED CONFEDERATE vETE-
RAMS.
ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL COM
MANDING.
ATLANTA, Ga, |
Sept 3, 1891. !

Confederate Suites Of america =
The convention of delegates from
the different States which assembled
in New Orleans, June 10th, 1889, ef-
fected a general organization known
rs the "United Confederate Vrte-
rams" 1t i, designed as an associa-
ton of all the bodies of ex Confeier-
ate Veterans and Sailors throughout
the Union. TIE convention adopted
a constitution and did me the great
honor to elect me General, which po.
sitinn | accept with peculiar gratifica-
ton. Preliminary to the issne of any
orders | wish to call general atten-
tinn to tue
OBJECTS OF THIS ASSOCIATION,
aud to eulist iu tn ir accomplishment
the active cn operation not only of ev-
ery survivor of Southern armies, hut
also that large contingent of sons of
veterans, who, too y"nng to have re-
ceived the baptism of fire, have rev.
ertheless received with you the hap
tiSm of suffering and of sacrifice. =
The FIRST article of the constitution of
the association declares "'The object
and purpose of this organization will
lie strictly social, literary. historical
aud benevolent. 1t will erdaavor to
unite IN general federation all asso-
Citations of the Confederate veterans,
soldiers and sailors now IN existence
or hereafter to he formed; to gather
authentic data for an impartial history
of the war between the States to pre-
serve the relics or mementoes of the
same; to cherish the ties of friendship
! that shonld exist among the men whu
have shared common dangers, com
mon suffering and privations to care
for she disabled and extend helping
hand to the needy; to protect the
widow aud orphan and to make and
to preserve the record of the services
of every memher, and as far as possi-
| BILE, of those Of our comrades who
have preceded us in eternity" The
last article provides that neither dis
cussion of political or religions sub
je,ts nor any political action shall he
permitted in the organization aud any
association violating that provision
shall forfeit its membership.
GOOD OBJECTS.
Comrades, no argument is needed
to secure for those objects your en,hn.
siastic endorsement. They have hur-
dened your thoughts f"r many years,
you have cherished them in sorrow,
poverty and humiliation. In the face
of mlsconstrnction you have held then,
in your hearts with the strength of re.
ligious convictions. No mis]udgmeuts
can defeat your peaceful purposes for
the future. Your aspirations have
been lifted hy the mere force and mr.
gency of surrounding conditions to a
plane far above the pBltry cnnsidrra-
ton of partisan trinmpbs. The honor
of the American Republic. the just
powers of the Federal government,
the equal rights of States, the intpg-
rity 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 aud their worthy
descendants. Bat you realize the
great truth that people without the
memories of heroic suffering and sac.
rifces are
i A PEOPLE WITHOUT HISTORY.
To cherish snch mem, ries aud re.
call such past, whether crowned
with success or cUnspcratet in defeat,
Is to iiealize principle aud strengthen
character, intensity love of country
and convert defeat and disaster into
pillars of support for future manhood
and noble womanhonl. Whether the
Southern people under their changed
conditions may ever hope to witness
another civilization which shall e0nal
that which began with their Wash.
ing!on aud ended with their Lee. j,
is certainl v true that devotion to ,hei,
glorious past is not only the snres'
guarantee of future progress apd the
h"liest bond of unity, but is also the
strongest claim they can present tc
the confidence and respect of the o,he,
sections of the Union.
NoN-PoLITICAL.
/ In conclusion beg to repeat, in