Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-30

organize the United Confederate Vet
erans. and on june 10. 1852. nj New Or
leans, the Organization was accom-
plished, constitution was adopted and
General John r. Gordon. who was then
the Governor of Georgia. was elected
rs the general commanding
The address of General Gordon in
accepting this honor. expresses the
sentiments which have been tho rule
OF the organization from it's founda-
ton. and which arc accountable FOR
its rema1 kablc growth
GENERAL GORDON OUTLINED
PURPOSE OF ASSOCIATION
The address is in part as follows
The convention of delegates from
the different States which assembled In
New Orleans, Juno 10. 1889. effected 4
general organization designated as the
United Confederate Veterans 1t is
designed as an associa ton of all tho
bodies OF cN-Confedcratc veterans and
sailors throughout tho Union. The con-
vcntion adopted a constitution and did
me tho great honor to elect me gem
eral which position | accept with pc
culiar qualification. Preliminary to
the Issue Of any orders | wish TO call
general attention to the objects of this
association and TO enlist in their ac-
CoUplishmcnt the active operation
not only of every survivor of Southern
armies. but also that large contingent
of sons Of veterans, who, too young
10 have received the baptism of Are
have, nevertheless. received with you
the baptism of suffering and sacrifice
GATHER AUTHENTIC DATA
FOR IMPARTIAL. HISTORY
The first article OF the constitution
OF the association declares: The object
and purpose of this organization will
| be strictly social, literary. historical
| and benevolent. II will endeavor to
| unite in general federation all asso-
Citations OF the Confederate veterans
soldiers and sailors now in existence
or hereafter to he formed: to gather
authentic data for an impartial his
tory OF the War Between the States: to
preserve the relics or mementoes OF
tho same; to cherish the ties OF friend
| ship shat should exist among the men
! who have shared common dangers
| common suffering and privation; TO
| care for the disabled and extend n help
! inG hand to the needy; to protect the
| widow and orphan, and to make and
preserve the record OF the services OF
! every member, and a far as possible
| of those OF our comrades who have
! preceded us in eternity
The last article provides that neither
discussion of political or religious sub
| 5ects nor any political action shall be
permitted i'll the organization. and any
association violating that provision
! snail foffclt It's membership.
! POLITICAL. AND RELIGIOUS
DISCUSSIONS BARRED
Comrades, no argument is needed
| to secure for those objects your en-
| thusiastic Endorsement They have
! burdened your thoughts for many
years; YOU have cherished them in sor-
row, poverty and humiliation. In the
| face of misconception you have held
| them in Your hearts with the strength
| Of religious convictions. No misjudg
ments can defeat your peaceful pur-
| poses for the future. Your aspirations
| have been lifted by the mere force and
| urgency of surrounding conditions ia
plane far above the paltry considcra
! tion of partisan triumphs The honor
| OF the American republic, the just
! powers of the Federal government the
! equal rights of States, the integrity OF
/ the constitutional Union, the sanctions
| OF law and the enforcement OF order
have no class OF defenders more true
and devoted than the cx-soldiers OF
the South and their worthy descen-
dants But you realize the great truth
that n people without the memories OF
heroic sufferings and sacrifices are Il
people without a history.
! TO cherish such memories and re.
call such past. whether crowned witt
success or consecrated in defeat, is tc
idealiZe principle and strength of char.
actcr. intensity love of country ant
convert defeat and disaster into pillar