The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-25

coincidence a hfs first lecture was
Last Days of the Confederacy," and
stated that Il was at the suggestion o.
some northern friends that he had pre-
pared his present lect1-&. Abiding 10
tae fact that he was q ccnfede rate. he de-
in eloquent terms his patriotism
and devotion 20 his country and stated
that during the recent var between the
United States and Span. every son ans
grand son Of his caaabls CT bea4'n5
arms enlisted in the Cn,te5 :tates ser
vice tapplause). He wen. On to say
that his first lecture experience was free
through n sense Of patr.oti-m but n
preacher had suggested hat - should
lecture for profit, since which time
there had jungled in his mind Preach
er, Patriotism Inc Profit" but 10 --ery
barrelful OF patriotism there had been
but a ~teaspoonful OF pIvft Qaushter).
General Gordon then oegan his lecture
by referring to the Cause OF the great
civil war. He said he had no doubt but
that the majority of tine audience Ia
bored under the impression that sla very
was the cause of the war bu he de-
clared that neither the destruction OF
slavery nor its preservation as at the
foundation of the great war. He then
went on to show that the dispute ta-
tween the north and south from the
foundation Of the government as to n
construction of the constitution ulti-
mately resulted in the clash of arms.
ExaN ~ thn -
Washington the contention arose be-
tween Jefferson and Hamilton, who
were both members of The cabinet. and
taxed the patience of Washington. JEFF
ferson construed the constitution one
way and Hamilton the other and his
contention grew until III the fury of pas
sion it was settled in the bloodiest war
in the annals of history.
General Gordon then alluded to the
early history of the great war, and
spoke of the immortal men it had ,ro-
duced-Jefferson Davis, Ulysses s.
Grant, General Lee. General StonewaI
Jackson, General Sherman, and others.
At the mention of the great southern
generals the audience broke forth into
applause. He referred TO the great bat
ties, and in burning words of eloquence
related some of the tragic scenes in
which he had participated. lie convul-
sed the audience with illusions to the
groteSque humor of war times. mellow
ed his hearers with his unequalled pa
thos. and thrilled all who heard him
with his superb e~loqucnce.
General Gordon is a very attractive
speaker and for n and a half he
enchained the audience with his ora-
tory He is an orator of the most un-
exceptionable ability, and his lecture
proved that he has justly earned the at
tribute of statesman. orator and SOL
der"
Throughout the lecture there were
frequent storms of applause, and upon
it's conclusion there was the most ap-
preciative and hearty cheers.
Colonel Woodward announced that
General Gordon would remain on the
stage a few minutes. so that veterans
and people could file by and meet him.
While the orchestra played great crowds
pressed forward, shook the generals
hand and banked him for his great
lecture.
The lecture is one Of the most elo-
quent and intensely interesting that we
ever heard. and we are sure that was
the verdict of all wno heard General
Gordon last night. He caves Whining
ton this morning for High Point where
he is to lecture.