The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-21
GEN. GORDON ARUSED
Shaw Declares it Unwise Teach
Children the Cause Was lst.
GENERAL GORDON REPLIES RLINGLY
And Says He Can Not Teach His Chiren That
He Fought For What Was Wly.
God viii Decide the
Right"
(By the Associated Press

Atlanta, Ga, July pa genme Geor-
| gia barbecue this afternoon close the re-
union in this city of the Blue ad Gray.
Veterans from all parts OF the Saith were
present, swelling the crowds to lrge pro-
portions. General John b. Goron, COM
mander- in chief of the United Cnfeder-
ate Veterans, disobeying his PHYSICIANS
orders, was present and sat side by side
with General Albert d. Shaw. commander
in-chief of the G. A. r. All tn invited
guests made speeches, but the scond on
the programme, that of General ;haw, did
not please General Gordon and FIR time
reconciliation was forgotten. General
ShaW's reference to the manner n which
all memories OF the great struggle should
be blotted out in the families of the
South was not received with tie favor
hoped for
In his speech he uttered these words
and they went deeply into General Cor
don's heart:
What / am anxious to sec is the dis
appearance of all unworthy reminders of
the terrible conflict and all the culture
of present unity and righteousness over
al the Union. There can now te but
one ideal of American citizenship, one
stars and stripes, one bulwark OF fu-
ture national glory and one limo OF pa-
triotic teachings for all and by all. In
this view the keeping alive Of sectional
teachings as to the justice and rights
of the cause of the South in the hearts
of the children, is all out Of order, un.
wise, unjust and utterly opposed TO the
bond by which the great chieftain Lee
solemnly bound the cause of the South in
his final surrender. / deeply Geplore all
agencies of this sort because in honor
and in chivaric American manhood and
womanhOod nothing Of this nature should
be taught or tolerated for an instant"
At the close of General Shaws speech
General Gordon came forward. He had
spoken briefly before and his appearance
again caused considerable Of q surprise
The enthusiasm quieted instantly. General
Gordon said he could not teach his chill
dren that he fought for what was wrong.
He entered battle for what he believed
was right and only the judgment day
and God himself will ever decide who was
right
Let us cherish the memories" con-
tinued General Gordon, ''and history will
record and Heaven Judge that both sides
were right in fighting for what they be-
lieved was right. Let US settle once and
for all this question on basis commen-
surate with the manhood of the sides
engaged in the great struggle; let us set
tie on a basis of that immaculate truth
that both sides were fighting for the
constitution of their forefathers"
General Shaw responded gracefully to
the Generals exceptions. He stated that
he had prepared his speech with care and
much of the matter was gained from
speeches made by General Gordon in the
North.
"Our children should be taught" said
General Shaw, "the true glory and sub
Unity OF our one country; their fathers
will teach them this. Let them be so
alike, the children of the North and of
the South, that no difference will be per-
ceptible.
The incident closed with three cheers
for the Blue and the Gray.