Professions of Patriotism
July 21, 1894
Summary
The Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Union, an organization of Confederate veterans, declares that his organization would fight for the Union, which is met with scorn from the Planet over its sarcastic undertone.
Transcription
The recent strike in the west has afforded Southern leaders the opportunity of making a great display of loyalty and at the same time and nibbled them to even up an old score against that section which in recent years, has not suffered from the devastating effects of an invasion by hostile forces. General John B Gordon is quoted as saying:
“I am Commander in Chief of the Confederate Union, which is an organization of Confederate Veterans similar to the Grand Army of the Republic. If occasion choirs it, I will March an army of old Soldiers across the long bridge over the Potomac greater than ever General Lee commanded, every man of which will fight to the death to preserve the union and commands respect for the old flag.”
Now I appreciate the emptiness of this post. The man who bought 30 years ago are not fit for active service now. It is the younger man who must respond to the call of the nation. The older man need to stay at home. More over those men who followed Gen. Robert E Lee got enough then and they are not hankering after any more of that kind of service, no matter who deserves notoriety out of it. Those who slept for years on the bare ground, faced the cannon and you overcharge are in no humor to rush wear that kind of work is to take place. Those men who new of the word in it got enough, and it is only the hot headed element who never smelt powder, save on a 4th of July or at a target practice who would lead A body of men again into such a conflict. Oh, no, Jen, talk about the state militia and not of the one legged, one armed, one eyed Ex-confederate as the Safeguard of the nation.
their work is done. They can't Inspire their children with national patriotism. But when it comes to the talk as to what they can and will do in another fight, there's Spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak even to the extent of finding urgent business elsewhere when it comes to a contest as of yore...
“I am Commander in Chief of the Confederate Union, which is an organization of Confederate Veterans similar to the Grand Army of the Republic. If occasion choirs it, I will March an army of old Soldiers across the long bridge over the Potomac greater than ever General Lee commanded, every man of which will fight to the death to preserve the union and commands respect for the old flag.”
Now I appreciate the emptiness of this post. The man who bought 30 years ago are not fit for active service now. It is the younger man who must respond to the call of the nation. The older man need to stay at home. More over those men who followed Gen. Robert E Lee got enough then and they are not hankering after any more of that kind of service, no matter who deserves notoriety out of it. Those who slept for years on the bare ground, faced the cannon and you overcharge are in no humor to rush wear that kind of work is to take place. Those men who new of the word in it got enough, and it is only the hot headed element who never smelt powder, save on a 4th of July or at a target practice who would lead A body of men again into such a conflict. Oh, no, Jen, talk about the state militia and not of the one legged, one armed, one eyed Ex-confederate as the Safeguard of the nation.
their work is done. They can't Inspire their children with national patriotism. But when it comes to the talk as to what they can and will do in another fight, there's Spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak even to the extent of finding urgent business elsewhere when it comes to a contest as of yore...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Professions of Patriotism,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1515.