Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-10


MACON. Ga. May 6.-Gen. c. Irvine
Walker. of Charleston. commander-in-
chief of the United Confederate Veter-
ans. delivered one of the principal ad-
dresses at the opening Of the. General
Reunion in Macon Monday Gen. Wall
ker, in acknowledging the welcome ex-
tenoeu ~ Veterans by the Georgia city
said; ta-E
1t gives me great pleasure to ac-
knowledge, for my comrades of the
United Confederate Veterans. the ear
nest, heartfelt sincere welcomes which
have greeted us from the loyal South
ern city of Macon. As 1 rise to re-
spond, mingled feelings of pride. sor-
row and JOY arise in my heart.
Pride that it is my duty to answer
for the old Veterans, whom, 1 tell you
good people of Macon, are the truest,
the bravest the very best old fellows
who ever battled for freedom.
Sorrow when remember that this
duty might have been performed by
our beloved Gen. Geo. W. Gordon. A
wise Providence has, since We last
met, gathered Gordon TO Himself. My
comrades, Gordon loved you-he treas
ured ever the sacred memories of a
hallowed past; he was proud of all the
glories which cluster around this feo-
Grafton. May the memory Of his life
and work ever incite us to high effort
for the good of the United Confederate
Veterans he so truly loved and faith
fully served.
Joy in the supreme happiness of look
ing into the faces, hearing the CHEEKY
greetings. claspiag the withered hands
of my old omrades-comrades with
whom for four long lears 1 suffered
hardship. endured fatigue and faced
danger.
GOOD TO EXPECT.
Now, what good can we expect?
In considering this do not forget that
whether we were right as we will for
ever claim, or wrong, as our enemies
assert, it is all now purely an academic
question, one which cannot in the
slightest degree affect our present pros
perity or happiness. We can absolute
ly prove the right and justice of Sc
cession, but, alas! there is no earthly
tribunal to try the case nor to award
the damages.
We have manfully faced the loss of
1ur property and we never expect any
repayment For our sacrificed dead we
mourn, but they cannot be restored to
our loving arms.
The savage is satisfied with rough
hut and enough to eat. The wording
treasures. But we were reared under
the civilization of our old south, which
taught nob1er aims and higher hopes.
We were taught to do what was right
and to deserve the appreciation we re-
ceived. The epithea traitor and
rebel are opprobrious. Applied to the
Confederate they carry an undeserved
and foul reproach. 1t is our duty to
prove to the world and show to our
!, .hr 4 (,
coupled with our names for our part in
that grand struggle for liberty. We
had a perfect right to make it under
the constitution of the union and by
the God given rights of freedom.
The greatest good to be obtained by
these reunions is our vindication! A
justification of the righteousness of the
cause for which we fought. This, not
selfishly for ourselves, but for our de-
scendants. We know and will forever
know that we were right. Then let us
see to it that our children know ii. Be
sure that our children and their chill
dren, to the remotest generation. will
know it-know it without doubt and
without question; know that their
fathers were not rebels, but patriots
not traitors, but martyrs ] hey should
know what we fought, not for conquest.
but for defence; not for enrichment,
notfor territory, not to maintain slaV-
cry, but to preserve the precious rights
won by and handed down TO us by our
forefathers. We fought without p1y-
our only reward being 1.-The consciOus-
ness of duty faithfully performed" We
fought for our freedom, our firesides,
our women and our God.
In union there is strength. These
gatherings of our Confederate hosts, by
such union, has given US strength to
boldly assert the Justice o. our cause.
Such manly assertion is carrying con-
viction. 1t has brought about most
remarkable change in opinion in this