The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-24
GENERAL GORDON'S REPLY
To the Resolution Of the New Orleans
Camp of Confederate Veterans Con-
demning Reunions of Confederate n
Federal Veterans.

Atlanta Ga, August e0-General
John B. Gordon. commander-in-chief
of the United Confederate Veterans.
has prepared a reply to a resolution
recently adopted by a camp Of Con-
federate Veterans at New Orleans.
condeEnning tie blue and ray reunion
in Atlanta, recommending that no
more similar reunions be held and pro-
testing against General Goruvn &C
cepting an invitation to the Grand
Army OF the Republic reunion at Chi
cage. The reply is as follows:
"Kirkwood Ga August -.
ITO the Confederate Association OF the
Army Of Tennessee.
resolution recently
adopted by your association at the in
stance OF General Chalerou. criticising
several acts or supposed acts OF nina
entirely escaped my attention At the
time OF Its appearance In the public
press and / ave Just seen II FOR the
first time. 1 understand this action ~
your association TO mean n formal and
public notice that You dfsapprove OF
my participation In the blue and gray
meeting which recently occurred in
Atlanta and also that IL means n for
NAL and public protest by your asso-
N4aNlpA against MY acceptance 81 an
Invitation extended to me by the Grand
Army of the Republic and by the ex-
ecutive m OF the citizens OF
Chicago.
The object OF this reply TO your
resolution, which you failed 10 mail 20
me, IS not 10 call in question the right
OF your association To criticiSe any OIL
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 Il :he past.
las to the courteous and cordial in
yitation OF both the Grand Army OF the
Republic and OF the executive commit
tee Of Chicago citizens I have 10 state
that I greatly appreciated the compl.-
ment paid me by that invitation and
the spirit which PROMPTED it Circum-
stances however. rendered IL impoSsi-
BILE for me TO accept and 50 l notified
the officers and committees nearly two
months ago; but. in his connection,
also. / wish to say that / must be the
Judge now and hereafter OF the proprIe-
ty OF accepting invitations from any
section OF the country or any class Of
my fellow countrymen.
In order that there may b. no pos
sible misunderstanding OF my position
on these and all kindred matters, / re-
peat my sole guide must be my own
convictions of duty TO his 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 il be definitely un-
derstood that SO long as Providence
permits me to speak or labor / shall
continue the efforts which / have made
for thirty years in the interest Of sec
tional harmony and unity. Whatever
l a do will assuredly be done for the
truth of history, for justice To the
south and to all sections. for fostering
u cherished memories. for the OBJ
liberation OF all sectional bitterness and
for the settlement OF ali sectional con-
troverSies on a basis consistent with
the honor and manhood and the self
respect of all. J. B. GORDON"