Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-02-17
PRESIDENT PRAISES
EXAMPLE SOUTH SET
MISREPRESENTATION

people of the south in accomplishing
the reconstruction of the south after
the Civil war "set the finest example
that could be urged upon a war
wasted world today" President
Harding declared in a letter made
public last night by Captain James
Dinkins, chairman of the committee
in charge of arrangements for the
annual reunion of the United Con-
federate Veterans in New Orleans in
April.
The president wrote Captain
Dinkins expressing his regret be-
cause of his inability to accept an
invitation from the committee to at
tend the reunion.
You say in part" said Mr.. Har-
ding, 1.-the call of the time is equal
ly to emphasize and impress the
courage, loyalty and constructive
citizenship of American manhood in
the peace that follows war. The
Confederate veterans began anew
with resources exhausted and oppor
tunity reduced, and by matchless en-
ergy, devotion and cooperation re-
built and rehabilitated their land
into immense production and broad
prosperity
Finest Example
"I am quoting these sentences,
because they have moved me to say
that in my judgment the reconstruc-
ton of the south, by the people OF
the south in the face of tremendous
discoura gements following the war,
set the finest example that could be
urged upon a war-wasted world to-
day." the president continued. THE
men of Lees and Johnson's armies
went home to their tasks of recon
struction, with hearts of courage
and purpose of determination to ov-
ercome all obstacles; to deserve the
good will and the help of others, by
proving their own good will and by
helping themselves to the, utmost Oh
their capacity. They had earned the
respect and regard of their opponents
on the battlefield; they earned 1t yet
mere completely and emphatlcally
by their conduct afterwards; and in
earning it, they insured not only the
unions restoration, but its advance
to that splendid place which it holds
in the family of nations.
'In this connection, because this
theme has long made a peculiar ap-
peal to me, 1 should like to add an
other thought. The men of the Con-
federate armies went nome a1ter
the war to a land that not only was
devastated, but had suffered literal
,ly a revolution of its economic sys-
fem. However desirable were, the
ultimate results of that revolution,
it imposed upon the people of the
south a complication of difficulties,
which vastly aggravated their task
Of reframing an empires social and
industrial plan of life. Their
achievement, in all their clrcum-
stances, constitutes one of the great
est accomplishments of any people
in all history.
Praises Loyalty
"Of their loyal acceptance of the
restored political order, their whole
hearted acquiesience in the verdict
of victory their answering deVo-
ton tc the re-established union. L
need say little at this late date. The
south's contribution, since that day,
to the Wdg1DS OIL TWO IoIe1SL was
has told more eloquently, than mere
words can tell, of how unquestion-
ing and unqualified is it's participa-
ton in the full obligations and du-
ties of American citizenship
Feeling thus, 1 hardly need tell
you of the regret with which | have
to say that it is impossible for me
to accept an invitation which SO
greatly appeals to me. 1t has been
my misfortune since entering the
presidential office, not to beaable to
accept the invitations Of either the
Grand Army of the Republic or the
United Confederate Veterans fors
their annual gatherings. None OF
the limitation imposed by the du-
ties Of the great office has occasion
ed more regret.
81 will be glad to have you con-
Vey to the assembled veterans my
most ardent wishes for their happi-
ness, health and prosperity, and my
hope that they may gather for many
more. equally agreeable occasions of
the sort"