The Atlanta constitution., 1900-08-27
GORDON MAKES A REPLY.
SAYS BE Is JUDGE OF
his ACTIONS.
Card Was Called Forth by a Resolu-
ton Recently Adopted by the
Army of the Tennessee.

General John b. Gordon. commander OF
,ho confaderate Veterans Association.
has repIjed in a vigorous and independent
card IN the recent criticism of his par
,,c,,ation in the blue and gray reunion
in this city, as well as MS accep'eSe Va
an invitation to attend the annual en-
campment OF the Grdhu Aiiii'
public in Chicago.
some weeks ago the army OF the 1ch-
nessee in session in Kew Orleans aoop'ea
a resolution introduced by General Cndi
eron which. after criticising the IacI liid'
he had taken part in the blue ana gray
reunion. protested against his acceptahce
of the Grand Army of the Republic ih'i-
General Gordon's Reply
General Gordon's reply is as follows:
tCtrlwooa. Ga. August 2o.-To the Confeder-
ate Association of the Army Oh iI.ns ~
Comrades: y resolution recehuy az iCenara,
vour association at the instance OF ! neheTet,
c,haleron criticising several acts OF suPposeu
acts OF mine, entirely escaped ny e''el.,4 ~
at the time Of its appearance III III. -,
,r.ss and 7 have Just seen il for the hrst
time / understand this action OF your CO. .S.
ciation to mean a formal and pubic hotce tI sliae
,.o,, Iisannrove Of my partIcuation in the blue
and gray meeting which recenuy CcculI CI, - -
Atlanta; and also that it means a IcIiirt. ,. ~ ~
,,,,tIic protest by your association against my
accentance of an Invitation extended TO me ~
the Grand Army of the Republic ana py @ t.le
executive committee OF tfie CilANNAiH
The object OF this reply to your resolution,
which you failed to send me, is not 70 can -. N
question the right OF your association 70 cIlt- 5
tcise my official account or mime Niicn - -
not meet your approval 1 DO WISH no"
10 state kindly but frankly ana piHliy -
INV own conscience and my own cohceptioh ~
, duty must be my guide in the future as III 'iio
past .,.,.,o, -
10Th tho Grand Army of the Republic and OK
the executive committee OF Chicago cluz"liS'
i have to state that greatly appreciated M
compliment paid me by that lnvltaton, anu
the spirit which prompted II circumstances
however. rendered IL Impossible TOT me 10 dC-
cent and / so notified the OFFICERS ana con-
rnittees nearly two months ago But, IN tnls
connection also / wish to say that must be
the Judge now and hereafter of the proprlety OF
acceptinr Invitations from any section OF this
country or any class of my fellow comrades
In order that there may be no possible mrs
understanding Of my position on these ana IA.
kindred matters. / repeat my sole guloe mus
no NV own convictions Of duty 10 this whoie
country and 10 the southern people whose
glorious record in all the past. whose trall-
tione dignity and honor have endeaFored
10 defend and uph6,ld all times, in all sec
tions and under all conditions
IN conclusion let IL be definitely understood
that so long providence permits me 10 speas
OF labor I 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 81
history for Justice to the south and to ali
sections for fostering our cherished memories.
and for the settlement Of all sectional contro-
versy and on a basis consistent with the honor
and the manhood and the self-respect Of all
J. p. GORDON