Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1898-07-28


United States. Whenever this great
question which divides Northern and
Southern statesmen is submitted to
tho Supreme Court, it has always
decided in favor of tho Southern
position"
Gen. Gordon was next on the list
Of speakers. As soor as the Coy
ernor had concluded the impatient
Veterans, unable longer to restrain
themselves, began to shout, "Gordon,
Gordon" From all parts of the
building tho namo was taken up and
the greeting was assuming vociferous
proportions when the General rose
and raised his hand. The audience
was stillcd instantly.
Gen. Evans then introduced Gen.
Gordon. Notwithstanding his recent
illness, the effects of which were
plainly visible, Gen. Gordon was sur
prisingly strong in voice and his
remarks were heard in every part OF
tho auditorium.
GEN. GoRDoN's SPEECH.
Governor, Gen. Evans, Mr.. Mayor
and Gentlemen Of the Committee !:
AS Georgian at homo my proper
place in this program would seem to
be among those who bid these Votc-
rams welcome and not as the mouth
picco of the recipients of that wei,
come. The official station, however,
to which. my comrades have called
me demands that in their name | re-
spond to these heartfelt greetings
from my native State and her capi-
tai city. Geographically, therefore,
should play the part of host, but
officially l must speak as your guest.
Anomalous as this double capacity
may seem, it is not without its CON-
pensations. In my capacity of host
and dutiful son | can lean as it were
on the bosom of my mother, Gcor-
gia, and feel her beating heart throb-
bing with boundless love and SYM
pathy for all survivors of the South's
unrivaled armies; while in the capac-
ity OF guest | throw around these
visiting comrades the arms of bro
thor and in their name pledge their
grateful acknowledgement for this
magnificent rccel ton.
Georgia and her fair daughter, At
lanta, in thus opening their aTins and
hearts to receive us, are in no sense
surprising us. We knew what to cx-
pcct before we came. The normal
position Of this State and city is
known of all men. Their place is at
the front, whether in sending sold
iers to war, or in honoring them in
peace and there is not survivor
Of those immortal lcgions who bore
tho stainless cross of battle to a
thousand victories, who does not feel
at home in this State and city. All
of these Confederates realize that
they are at home, and their pulsing
hearts tell of their appreciation in
language far more eloquent and ten
der than any which | could utter.
And now, my fellow-countrymcn,
may | ask if you have contemplated
and comprchendcd the full signif-
cance of this splendid reception, and
of others like it which have been
accorded us by Louisiana, by Ala
bama, by Mississippi, by Texas, by
Virginia, by Tennessee, by all the
people wherever it has been our for
tune to convene? How strange,
how marvclously strange, must these
annual outpourings appear to all pco-
Piles outside of the Soutl's border.
On another occasion felt impclled
to advert to the peculiar Significance
OF these Confederate reunions; but
the mind can mover tire of their
ana!ysiS-~philosophy, patriotism, L, T.
tue and rcligion-may all feed and
feast upon such theme without
cxhausting it; and The spirit of lib
crty, the reverence for law, and for
regulated government reioiccs and
grows strong in the sentiment and
high purpose which these gatherings
evoke. No other conventions of
cx-soldicrs in all tho earth arc so free
from sclf-secking, so untaintcd by
passion or prejudice, 80 purely
phiIanthropic, not more broadly
patriotic. No disbandcd and de-
fcated soldiery has ever been for 80
long period tho special objects of
80 unique and universal appreciation
and affection by people for whose
cause that soldiery contendcd unsuc.
cessfully.
In every other age, in every other
land, popular plaudts have been but
the echoes of tho shOnts and martial
pagoants of victory. Public honors,