The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-21
SLIP 1t PREJUDICE
General John B. Gordon An
swers Bigots Plainly.
WILL DO AS HE PLEASES
In All Things Calculated to.
Enhance National Unity.
WILL DO AS He PLEASES

Atlant Ia, Ga, Aug 20.-General John 3.
Gordon, commanderSn-chief of the Unit
ed Confederate Veterans, has prepared a
reply to a resolution recently adopted by
camp of Confederate Veterans at New
Orleans, condemning the Blue and Gray
reunion at Atlanta, recommending that
no more similar reunions be held and
protesting against General Gordon ac-
cepting an invitation to the G. A R. re-
union at Chicago. The reply is as fol-
lows:
''Kirkwood, Ga, Aug. 2O-Comrades: A
resolution recently adopted by your asso-
citation at the instance Of General Chal-
leron, criticising certain aRs, or sup
posed acts, of mine entirely escaped my
attention at the time OF its appearance
in the public press, and 1 have just seen
it for the first time. L understand this
action Of your association to mean a
formal and public notice that you disap-
prove of my participation in the Blue
and Gray meeting which recently occur
red in Atlanta; and also that it means
formal and public protest by your asso-
citation against my acceptance Of an in
vitation extended to me by the Grand
Army of the Republic and by the execu-
tive committee of the citizens Of Chi
cago.
1.-THE object Of this reply to your reso-
luton, which you failed to send me, is
not to call in question the right of your
a. association to criticise any official act of
mine which does not meet your approx
al. 1 do wish, however, to state kindly,
but frankly and pointedly, that my con-
science and my own conception Of duty
must be my guide in the future as ii the
past.
"As to the courteous and cordial invi-
tation of both the G. A. R. and Of the
executive committee of Chicago citizens,
l have to state that 1 greatly appreciate
the ompliment paid me by that invita-
ton and the spirit which prompted it.
Circumstances, however, rendered it i'm
possible for me TO accept and L so noti-
fed the officers and committees nearly
two months ago when that invitation
first reached me. But in this connection
I also wish to say that must be the
Judge now and hereafter of the propriety
of accepting invitations from any section
of the Ountry or any class OF my TEL
low-countrEme
I'm order that there may be no posi-
Bile misunder standing of my position on
this and all kindred matters, 1 repeat
my sole guide must be my own convic-
tons of duty tC this whole country and
to the southern people whose glorious
record in all the past, whose traditions,
dignity and honor have endeavored to
defend and uphold at all times, in all
sections and under all conditions.
I'm conclusion, let it be definitely IN
derstood that so long as Providence per-
mits me to speak or labor I shall con-
tinue the efforts which I have made for
thirty years in the interest Of sectional
harmony and unity. Whatever 1 can do
will assuredly be done for the truth of
history. for justice to the south and to
all sections, for foctering our sherished
memories, for the oblteration of all sec
tional controversies on a basis consistent
with the honor and the manhood and
the self-respect Of all.
JOHN B. GORDON"