Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1894-09-11
GORDON ENTHUSED THEM
STRIKING SCENE AT A MEET.
ING OF WAR VETERANS.
He Fills The Bl00dv Chasm with
Good Feeling And Calls ON All
Ex-C0nfs derates To support
The FlaH-A Gre n Procession.

PlTTsBuRG. Sept. 11.-Well on towards
last midnight, that which, to the men,
bcrs of the Union Veteran Legion at
tending the encampment and the Pitts
burg members Of the organization was
perhaps the most remarkable scene since
the close of the civil war took place when
General John B. Gordon, one Of the lead
ing commanders of the Confederate
army, appeared before the vast number
of federal soldiees and raised his voice
for the obliteration of sectionalism and
an united America. To say that the old
union soldiers were responsive to Sena.
ator Gordon's plea gives no adequate
idea Of the reciprocal feeling manifested
by the thundcrous cheers and hearty
hand grasps with which the eA-Confder-
ate general was received.
1t was regular meeting night of the
Union Veteran Legion and the hall was
thronged. General Gordon was the first
member of the Confederate army to ever
enter the hall. The great crowd gave
him three very hearty cheers.
General A. l.. Pearson, In happy re.
marks, introduced General Gordon whom
many present "had met" at Appomat.
tox. General Gordon said:
IL and all right thinking mcu of any
section will always admire the men who
fought"
Turning to the Union flags which pro-
fusely covered the speakers stand he de-
livered a very eloquent apostrophe,
pledging his devotion and that of the
ex-Confederates of the South to that
banner and all that it symbolizes. He
| addressed the soldiers as comrades and
countrymen," and every time the Gen.
cral, in his calm deliberate tones, used
these endearing terms, he was visibly
effected. At the end of his eloquent ad
dress three tremendous cheers wert
given.
Corporal Tanner responded in an ad
dress of no less fervid eloquencc, pledging
the respect and admiration of all rea
Union soldiers who fought and suffered
for such loyal patriotic men and soldier:
as were represented by Gen. Gordon.
Corporal Tanners remarks were dc
livcred most earnestly aud eloquently
He was seated in n chair, the recent am
putation Of his limbs preventing hin
from standing on his feet.
Representatives of the surviving veteran!
of the Union army, gathered from nearly
lcvery State and Territory, marched Thu
morning through the twin cities of Pitts
burg and Allegheny and received tn
plaudits and homage OF more than tilirt
of a million spectators.
1t was a glorious day. General bu
ness in Pittsburg and Allegheny, whole
sale as well as retail, was entirely sus
pended. The route selected lay, for tn
most part, over broad spacious avenues
and there was nothing to interfere wit
the absolute pleasure and enjoyment G
both participants and spectators.
Promptly at 1915 O'Clock, senior Aide
de.C Camp Slas Burton reported to Com
mander. Chief Adams that the first d
vision was ready to move. There wa
roar OF cannon, and blare of trumpet
and then, escorting platoon OF police
the pick and pride OF Pittsburg's force
astridc magnificent animals. the proce:
sion moved down Smithheld street, spar
ming the roadway from curb to curl
The mounted staff Of the comm ander-l
chief moved in columns of fours. 1t ha
as special escort General Lander Pos
No. OF Lynd, Mass, and the post ha
in turn mounted escort of nearly 20
local members of the order. BY virtue {
seniority, Illinois had the right of lin'
but in the point of numbers did not max
the appearance in numbers that was e,
pected.