The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-21
GEN. J. B. GORDON'S REPLY.
csation's Criticism-His Con
science Is His Guide.

Atlanta, Aug. 2O.-Gen. John b. Cor
don. commander-in-chief of the United
Confederate Veterans, has prepared a re-
ply to a resolution recently adopted by
q camp of Confederate Veterans at New
Orleans, condemning the Blue and Gray
reunion In Atlanta, recommending that
no more similar reunions be held and
protesting against Gen. Gordon accept
ing an invitation 90 the Grand Army of
the Republic reunion. at Chicago. The
reply is as follows
'Krkwood, Ga. Aug 20.-To the Con-
federate Association of the Army of Ten
nossee: Comrades-A resolution rec ntly
adopted by your association at the in
stance of Gen. Chaleron, criticizing sew
cral acts or supposed acts of mine. en-
trely escaped my attention at the time
of its appearance in the public press. and
l have just seen it for the first time.
understand this action of your assoc!a-
ton to mean a formal and public notice
that you disapprove of my participation
in the Blue and Gray meeting which re
Gently occurred In Atlanta; and, also
that II means a formal and public protest
by your association against my accept
ance of an invitation extended to me by
the Grand Army of the Republic and by
the Executive Committee of the citizens
of Chicago
The object OF this reply to your reso-
lution, which you failed to send me, Is
not to call in question the right of your
association to criticize any official act of
mine which does not meet your approval
l do wish. however. to state kindly. but
frankly and plainly, that my own con-
science and my own conception of duty
must be my guide In the future as in the
past
LAS to the courteous and cordial invi-
tation of both the G.. A. r. and of the Ex-
ecutive Committee of Chicago citizens. l
have to state that l greatly appreciate the
compliment paid me by that invitation,
and the spirit which prompted it, Cir
cumstances, however rendered 1t impossi-
bic for me to accept, and so notified the
officers and committees nearly two months
ago. But, in this connection. also l wish
to say that ! must be the Judge now and
hereafter of the proprety of accepting in
vitatons from any section of the country
or any class of my fellow -Countrymen.
an order that there may be no possible
misunderstanding of my position on these
and all kindred matters, l repeat my sole
guide must be my own convictions of duty
to this whole country and TO the South
ern people whose glorious record in all
the past, whose traditions, dignity and
honor | have endea vored to defend and
uphold az all times in all sections and I'M
der all conditions.
In conclusion, let 1t be definitely under
stood that so long as Providence permits
me to speak or labor, / shall continue the
efforts which | have made for thirty years
in the interest of sectional harmony and
| unity. Whatever | can do will assuredly
be done for the truth of history. for JUS
tice to the South and to all sections. for
fostering our cherished memories, for the
obliteration of all sectional bitterness and
for the settlement Of all sectional contro-
versies on a basis consistent with the hon
end the manhood and the self-respect
of all. J. b. Gordon"