New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-21
CLASH AT REUNION
GENERAL, GORDON TAKES EXCEPTION TO
UT-TERANCES OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
SHAW OF THE G. A. R.

Atlanta. July 20 CspeciaD.-A clash between
Generals Shaw and Gordon was an exciting Incl
dent at the Blue and Gray reunion here this after
noon. The veterans and distinguished guests had
assembled in the barbecue hall and patriotic
speeches Of a conciliatOry nature had called forth
generous applause from the audience
General Shaw Comnlander-in-Chief of the G. A.
p then spoke and at the end of his address Gen
ersl Carbon Of the Confederate Veterans made
a reloiuder that brought tumultuous cheers from
the Confederates and created dense silence among
the Union veterans. Part of the irritating refer
ence by General Shaw was as follows:
am aware that both in the South and IN the
North there fingers irritating memories over the
great war II is not strange thai TINS snouq i De
So it would De strange nfeeo i II sur
round!rsg the mighty conflict and victory. There
IN The North and in the South over the conditions
and prophecies which the surrender made binding
The South fought under their stars and bars, and
+ba nrincipIes these stood for, with q heroism
SURPASSED in battle record and when they laid
down their arms in surrender all they fought for
went down with their silenced guns In an unques-
fonable settleInent and decision Of al the issues
lnVo+Ned Inc Cods pao ~ 80 90 On
American soil, and its furled nag should have no
On reminiscent occasions like this or reunions.
General Shaw did not follow his notes verbatim
and in speaking extemporaneously declared that he
did not approve the practice OF employing such
agencies as school text books keep the memories
and bitterness Of the war alive in the breasts Of
young Southerners The best course, he said, was
General Gordon seemed TO construe this as tanta-
mount a declaration that Southern children
should be taught that their fathers were in error
IN espousng their principles in the sixties At any
rate, the close Of General Shaw's speech he i'm
petuously mounted the platform, and in vigorous
language Informed General Shaw that Southerners
did regret their actions thrty-nine years ago
and that he would not submit To- his child being
taught that his father fought ignobly He declared
IN imprisoned accents that he well as every
other southern man. was proud Of the fact that
they had fought for what they still believed was
right and that while he loved Shaw devotedly ha
wanted to give MIN notice that all Southern men
felt as he old, and that they would be untrue 10
manhood and Christianity If they did not teach
TIER children that the dying generation contended
Tor a righteous cause He declared that when he
died he wanted the chief inscription on his tomb
fedeTate soldier ~ In
A. the close Of this rejoinder the majority If the
5uolei4ce manifested their approVaamid much CON
fusion and IumUlt General Shaw then arose apd
IN a calm tone. every word carefully weighed said
mat ne made every allowance for honest difference
or opinion, and that If his speech and C;ordon's
were carefully and dspassionatey compared he felt
sure that they would be discovered TO be almost
loenucai IN sentiment He resumed his seat amid
applause, and; shaking General Gordon by The
nand, the unpleasant episode ended. with the two
leaders OF opposite organizations listening 10 the re-
naming speeches with their arms resting on each
others shoulders. AN