The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-04-27
General John B. Gordon.


We never remember to have read a
speech more neatly put than that of
DIR. Geo. Troup Maxwell on introduce
ing General John B. Gordon to a
Jacksonville audience last Saturday
where he delivered his famous address
on tThe Last Days of the Confedera-
cy.n
Introducing the distinguished speak
er DIR. Maxwell said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN in a
country church-yard and gazing upon the
moundlets that marked the resting-p1aces of the
dead, Gray, in his immortal elegy wrote
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest
Thus, in sad, but melodous tone, he chanted,
within the hearing of the world, the great truth
that circumstances make man"
History abounds with illustrations of this all
pervading truth; and, whilst the names of Moses
and Solomon of Alexander and Caesar of Wei
lington and Napoleon and of countless thous-
ands, who were not born to die, will spontane-
ously arise in the memory of readers: those of
Lee and Grant, of "Stonewall" Jackson and
Sherman, must come to mind with pressing and
peculiar interest, of contemporaries, whose
persons, as well as deeds, are familiar to the
present generation.
In this connection, and under present circum-
stances, I cannot forbear being personal. A
third of century ago there lived i'll Northern
Alabama a youth, who had just entered man
hood. He was but recently graduated from the
University of Georgia and, the eventualities of
his life, its trials and its triumphs, were hidden
in the womb of the future. Recognized by his
companions and friends bright in intellect
and brave and honorable in character, there
not one, perhaps, who possessed of the
prescience to foretell the brilliant career which
the near future was to furnish him the opportu-
nifty for developing.
But, suddenly the storm of war burst in fierce
fury upon our land Promptly the young man.
responded to call of duty, and placed himself in
the military service of his country; and like
Henry of Navarro, where the ctnfict was fercest,
there this genius of war was always to be found
(Applause)
For gallant and meritorious service on battle
fields with marvellous rapidity he was promoted
through the several grades of captain colonel
brigadier-general, major-general, till he reached
the exalted rank of acknowledgement; and
within three years the world stood in bewildered
admiration of the brilliant achievement of this
son of Mars.
He rushed like meteor athwart the frma-
ment but, unlike those evanescent bodies, cor1s-
cations of his fame will never grow dim but will
grow with increasing lustre to the latest syllable
of recorded time. To the remotest bounds of
civilization, wherever language is written, the
name of Gordon, the soldier, is as familiar as
household words. (Applause)
The war over, NE accepted its results with un-
affected submission, and i'll the civil service of
our united country, in exalted and responsible
stations he has demonstrated that, Peace hath
her victories no less renown d than war"
This distinguished citizen is with us tonight
General Gordon does not need an introduction to
the people of Jacksonville; for there is no more
familiar figure i'll the gallery of modern heroes.
One of the greatest and most picturesque
characters of ancient history, after he routed
PHARMACIES Ponticus at the first assault, wrote
thus to his government Il came, l saw, l con-
quered" / have no doubt that after this eve
ming, our guest like Caesar, will be able to pro
claim to the sovereign of his heart and home
Il came, saw, I conquered" 1 take pleasure
in presenting to you General John B. Gordon.
General Gordon's speech was highly
spoken of but as it is copyrighted was
not published.