The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-21
GORDON REPLIES.
EX-COnfederate General Says
He Would Obliterate ALI
Sectional Feeling.

Atlanta, Ga. Aug. 21.-Genera1 John
B. Gordon, commandments of the
United Confederate Veterans, has pre-
pared a reply to a resolution recently
adopted by a camp of confederate vet
Grams at New Orleans, condemning the
blue and gray reunion at Atlanta,
recommending that no more similar re-
unions be held and protesting against
General Gordon accepting an invitation
to the G.. A. r. reunion at Chicago. The
reply is as follows:
HKirkwood, Ga, Aug. 2O.-To the Con-
federate Association of the Army of
nneSSee-ComradeS, etc:-A reSOlu-
ton recently adopted by your associa-
ton at the instance of General Challer-
on, criticising certain acts or supposed
acts of mine, entirely escaped my at
tentfOn at the time of its appearance
in the public press and I have just seen
it for the first time. I understand this
action of your association to mean a
formal and public notice that you dis
approve of my participation in the
blue and gray meeting which recently
occurred in Atlanta; and also that it
means a formal and public protest by
your association against my acceptance
of any invitation extended to me by
the Grand Army of the Republic and
by the executive committee of the citi-
zenS of Chicago.
1.-The object of this reply to your
me, is not to call in question the right
of your association to criticise any Off
cial act of mine which does not meet
your approval I do wish, however, to
state kindly, but frankly and plainly
that my own conscience and my own
conception of duty must be my guide in
the future as in the past
LAS to the courteous and cordial in
vitation of both the G.. a. r. and of the
executive committee of Chicago citi-
zens. | have to state that / greatly APP
preciate the Compliment me by that
invitation, and the spirit which
prompted it. Circumstances, however,
rendered it impossible for me to accept
and I SO notified the officers and COM
mitteess nearly two months ago when
that invitation first reached me- But
in this connection, also I wish to say
that 1 must be the judge now and here
after of the prOpriety of accepting in
VitatiOns from any section of the coun-
try or any class of my fellow country
men.
In order that there may be no posi-
Bile misunderstanding az my position ON
these and all kindred matters, repeat
my sole guide must be my own con-
victions of duty to this whole country
and to the southern people whose glori-
Gus record in all the past 1 have en-
deavored to defend and to uphold at all
times in all sections and under all con-
ditionS.
In conclusion, let it definitely be I'M
derstood SO long as Providence permits
me to speak or labor / shall continue
the efforts which have made for thirty
years in the interests of sectional har-
mOny and unity. Whatever I can do
will assured1y be done for the truth of
history, for justice to the south and to
all sections for fostering our cherished
memories, for the obliteration of all
sectional bitterness and for the settle
ment of all sectional controversies on a
basis consistent with the honor and the
manhood and the safe respect of all.
Il am as ever, fraternally yours,
-. B. GORDON"