The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-10
GORDON PRAISES THE THIRD.
THE MEN ARE GOOD FIGHTING MA
TERIAL, THE GENERAL SAYS.


Reflect Credit on the south If Ever
Called Into Battle, He Says-The
General IndOrses the Admistra-
TONS Policy Up 10 This Time.
lie Does Not Favor Annexing the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. for Revival Of
business After the War Ceases and
an Influx of Foreign Capital and
Desirable Immigrants.
1T brings back old memories" said Gen.
John B. Gordon as he stood in front of
the coloneTs- headquarters at Camp Ray
yesterday afternoon. His keen eyes swept
over the long ranks of men in blue and
glistened with pleasure at their soldiery
bearing
There is fighting blood in those boys,
regiments commander "They come Of
good fighting stock. Blood will tell. feel
proud of them"
What do you think of the Third?" ask
ed a Morning News reporter soon after
ward of the old Confederate warrior
1T Is fine" was the reply. 1T is made
up of superb material. I went through
into the faces of the men and studied their
general appearance. They are young,
sturdy, intelligent looking, full of enthu-
siasm, devoid OF any sense of depression
at leaving home for scenes of danger.
They have the right stuff in them. They
have made rapid progress in the drill and
if they are ever called into action they
are going 20 reflect credit on the whole
South That is the opinion l formed of
them"
1t had been quite a pleasant afternoon
for the general. Arriving in the city on
the early morning train he had registered
at the De Soto, seen few friends, and
then gone out to Camp Ray. His son is one
of the majors of the regiment and among
the other officers and the men in ranks
there are a number known TO the general
personally. outside of this he retains the
Old interest in everything military. and
especially everything savoring of
Georgia and the South. Arriv-
ing at the camp there was a
semi-reception at which all the officers
were introduced to the general. Soon af-
ter he walked through the camp, inspect
ing the arrangements and exchanging
salutes with the men. There is no doubt
that he is delighted with the Third as one
OF 1.-The South's contributions to the ma
tional defenses.
'They are part of the unanswerable re-
ply of the South to those who, for politi-
cal reasons, have professed to doubt the
loyalty and patriotism of this section"
said the general This war has told to
all of the nation what must have been
apparent to any man not blinded by pre-
judice or selfish personal political inter-
est, that the great heart of the South
beat strongly for the national unity, that
the South if necessary, would rally as one
man TO the defense of a common country,
and a common flag. Sectonalism is rele-
gated to oblivion. The politician who
would profess the belief now that this is
not one country, with no sectional lines,
would be, should be- hooted from the
hastings. United we stand, invincibe."
Gen. Gordon was asked for his opinion
as 10 the progress of the war and the
course so far pursued by the administra-
ton.
Il have naturally followed the military
and naval operations with keen interest"
said he. Knowing The fighting Caliber of
the American people, North, South, East
and West, l never doubted our being vic
torious l have been inclined to be opti-
mistic, rather than pessimistic, TO look
at everything from the most favorable
standpoint, taking into consideration all
the conditions which have prevailed Hav-
ing had some experience in war, and
knowing the great difficulties that have
to be overcome at all times, and more
especially at the outstart in the way of
organization l could quite adequately
realize the circumstances that surround
ed operations in Cuba The results have
been satisfactory and | do not approve of
this carplng criticism of men and meas
ures, too often with little conception of
the obstacles which had to be overcome
1t is quite easy, you know, to sit at home
and pass judgment on the work of others
How do the. peace propositions strike
your" Gen. Gordon was asked
Il heartily approve of them. The policy
Of the federal administration, as a whole
from the beginning of this trouble with
Spain up to the present time I must COM
mend. The President has pursued con-
servative policy and in the making of
peace is inclined TO be liberal with Spain.
We can afford to be liberal, as we'll
just, l believe, and the entire world, so
lon1 accustomed to the driving of hard,
even oppressive, bargains with the con-
quered, watching the course of this coun-
try can realize the truthfulness of our
claims that we did not seek war from any
purposes of aggrandizement But If Spain
persists in dilly-dallying, in procrastina-
tons, in chicanerles and deception, 1 be-
lieve there should be an immediate re-
prove 20 her and all others that whsle in
clined to be lenent and liberal we are at
the same time not to be trihed with in
such matters. | believe that the admin
straton, having handled matters so well
up to this time. will continue to bring re-
suits that viii add laurels to the national
glory and a speedy termination to hos
Titles"
"Do you believe we should keep the
Philippine Is.ands?'
ono, l do not except in the event of
SPANS persisting in the folly of further
resistance. Then she should be compelled
TO pay for her folly. We can adequately
protect our interests in that section of the
globe | believe. without absorbing the
many islands that make up this group of
SPANS colonial possessions"
Gen. Gordon expressed the belief that
from this time on it will be both necessary
and advisable for the United States TO
keep what to us viii be considered large
standing army. He expects this 10 be re-