Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-21
CLARION CALL OF
CONFEDERATE VETERAN

Editor Daily Journal: l regret TO de-
sire or TO need space in your esteemed
paper to recite, correct or explain ans
Confederate event, mistake or assault.
For years after the war waged by the
northern states upon the southern peo-
pie, the Confederate veterans were re
spected as other people were. But some
II months ago a minority Of the Georgia
legislature opposed pensioning those vete-
rams, though the pay had been duethem
more than a quarter of a century.
In the winter following large minority
of the voters Of the state did the same
thing In July, 1909. the present senate
of Georgia defeated the payment Of hon.
est pnsions, long ago earned and much
needed. For the present, at least. the ex-
pressed will of the majority of the peo T.
pie is defeated. The vote of the people
in the winter and the neglect of the
senate goes to show the rapid decline In
respect for the Confederate veterans.
Then, shall I fear to desire space in
newspaper. or to offer my ticket at the
ballot box?
I am told that The Atlanta Journal
had in II an article about three months
ago, signed by Robert L. Rogers, which
claimed or implied that the 42d Georgia
regiment did not capture the DeGress
battery in the battle of Atlanta, July
%. 1864.
The capture of a battery in a battle
I'm those days may have been too small
matter, because so common, to contend
fer; yet wish to say four pieces of ar
tillery were directly in front Of the AID
Georgia in that battle, and were captured
by it. Men captured with their guns said
they were the DeGress battery. I saw
these guns and had my hands on some
OF them.
II any credit is due regiment for the
capture OF such a battery in a general
battle, the same Is due the 42d Georgia.
Yet the Confederate troops did not go 10
the field OF carnage and death for victory
and to conquer a foe-nor in any sense
for conquest. They went out to defend
and maintain, IL possible. the south's
right to her share OF the national terri.
tory.
A sectional ruling party had elected a
president and congress pledged to use
the government to prohibit slavery from
being carried into any Of the nations
territory. That would necessarily force
the slave owners-the southern people
TO stay out OF the common territory, and
the north would go in and possess it all.
The south insisted on division OF the
territory. This division was fatty declin-
ed her. The newly elected president and
congress pledged the south not to inter
ed which was unquestionable proof that
II was the south's share Of the territory
they were after, not the niger
This territory had as many and as
rich mines as any other country, as much
and as fertile valleys as any FIVE nations
Of Europe, and as much timber as any d.
vision of earth had and approximately
one-third of this belonged to the south.
Has the world ever concocted a steal
so large? The south seeded to get rid
of a partner. The northern states and
their kind in Europe waged a terrible
war on the south to secure their aim
Being desperate they, after two years
emancipated the slaves. Then there were
no slaves and slave owners to keep out.
Southern people, negroes, Europeans and
all. could go ofsthe territory. The south
lost her slaves, the north her territory,
and then the world took the prize This
great country lost In the Confederate
army the bulk of her greatest men-God
cares for them.
Thanking you in advance for the pub
LEGATION of this article.
]. M.MITCHELL,