Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-14

GEN. JOHN B. GORDON.
rage. he was driven TO the home OF
Major John w. Mitchell, on the Island,
where be took dinner with Judge
Thayer Melvin, Hon. A. w. Campbell,
Col. Robert White, Colonel Robert Nc
Eldowney of New Marunsville, and
Major Mitchell.
On the stage at the Opera House last
night were Hon. VIM. Z. Handlan, Col.
Robert White, Col. Aug. Rolf, Col.
Robert McEldowney, DR.. L. w. Haz-
lett, Hon. A. w. Campbell, Mr.. c. b.
Hart, Major Alonzo Loring, Mr.. John
). Naylor, aud Mr.. VIM. Stlfel. In the
center of the stage hung silk Ameri-
can flag, and on the side were portraits
of President Lincoln and Gen. Robt. +.
Lee.
Mr.. Campbell introd uced the speaker
in a brief address. He referred to the
spirit OF intolerance which once existed
In this city, and was happy TO say that
the community had arrived at the point
where it was ready TO welcome any
stranger who has anything TO say on
any subject. "What are our opinions
that we should pride ourselves on their
possession?" he asked. Opinions are
usually creatures Of accident, arising
from birth, education or association. II
Gordon had been born in the North and
Grant in the South, their careers might
have been different. This fact is cal
culated to impress upon us the lesson
that one of the first qualifications Of
good citizenship is a spirit of tolera-
ton" Mr.. Campbell introduced Gen.
Gordon as "a distinguished citizen OF
the South and soldier of the late war. D"
Gen. Gordon was accorded a magniti-
cent reception, when be stepped to the
front of the stage. 81 never enter the
border Of this young but magnificent
commonwealth" be began, without
being anew impressed with its bound
less possibilities, and its equally bound
less hospitality, bOundless almost as the
vtalized air" He proceeded TO say
that be did not come as General" Cor
don, but as an apostle OF peace. His
lecture was series Of incidents,
pathetic and amusing, OF the closing OF
the war, alternating with descriptions
of the great movements on both sides,
and eloquent tributes TO the leaders.
He graphically described the heroism,
fortllude and bravery OF the women OF
the North and South, whose sef-abne-
CATION and suffering were as priceless
and lasting a memorial as the rich sac
rifce Of blood poured out on the field Of
battle.
His relation of incidents Of the war
was very interesting. He told OF riding
over the field of Gettysburg, after the
first days battle, and finding, wounded
and dying, Major General Barlow, Of
the Union army. He gave him water
from his canteen, and promised if he
survived the battle, to carry Barlow's
dying message TO his wife, who was in
the rear. lie remem bered his promise,
aud had Mrs. Barlow escorted through
the lines to her husbands side. After
two more days of battle, Lees army
retreated aud he forgot the incl
dent. Ten or fifteen years passed.
Gen. Gordon was sent TO the United
States Senate. He accepted an invita-
ton TO dine with New York Senator,
and was introduced TO Col. Barlow.
Are you related to the Barlow who was
killed at GettYsburs?" asked General
Gordon. II guess am the man." was
the reply. "But are you related to the
General Gordon who killed him, and was
afterwards himself killed?" Il guess
am the man." said Gordon.
The audience was ready to believe
Gen. Gordon'S statement that the scene
which followed can better be imagined
than described. Truth is indeed
stranger than fiction. That friendship
born on a field of battle was more sacred
and cherished because Of the circum-
stances attending its birth. For the
sake OF our common country, may we
not hope that similar ties may yet bind
all the people of all the sections.
Gen. Gordon also related in his pecu-
liarly happy manner, an incident con-
nected with the DAYS when the two
armies were encamped on opposite sides
OF the Rappahannock. A band on the
Union side played America" and
Yankee Doodle" and shout went up
from the Federal forces Then the
band played Dixie" and cheers went up
from the rebel hosts. Finally Home
Sweet Home" was played, aud the
cheers which assembled from thousands
Of threats on both sides of the river
awoke the echoes. "It was the thought
OF home: TO some, possibly OF that eter-
nal home, to which the morrow's bat
tie might lead the way; but TO all, Of
the family circle which gathered about
the altar to offer prayers for the return
of the soldier boy"
The speaker displayed again and
again his affection tor Gen. Lee. he
said the failure of Lee at Gettysburg
did not lower the confidence which his
men had in him, although it may have
modified their faith Ia hiAinvincibility
There was, 1 a0i6 zion between