Obviously, it's very unfair to compare any modern governor to the great John B. Gordon. But the most recent string of one-term governors---including the current one-term governor----make the contrast all the more stark.

The recent passing of one of Georgia's other great govenors, Lester Maddox, served to illustrate how far Georgians have fallen in terms of their governors. The reasons for our lack of honorable people willing to serve as governor is a subject for another column.

This column is to remind Georgians of what we once had in the hopes that Georgians will continue to reject the corrupt and the inept and work toward recruiting honest and honorable candidates to serve as our state's chief executive.

It's obvious that the most important traits (to most Georgia voters) are NOT a high priority to the two major parties. Until we can get worthy people to serve, we must continue to "churn the compost pile" and keep a new governor in office every four years.

The story below was published in THE BUTLER HERALD Tuesday, July 26, 1898.

General John B. Gordon Re-Elected Commander of Old Veterans The second day of the reunion of Confederate Veterans, July 21, 1898, at Atlanta was a notable one. General John B. Gordon, as commander-in-chief, and all the other officers of the association were unanimously re-elected; a resolution was enthusiastically adopted renewing the allegiance of the soldiers of the Confederacy to the government. The resolution was as follows: Whereas, The United States of America are at present engaged in war with Spain in the interest of human liberty; and Whereas, our comrades and our sons are members of that glorious army and navy, the achievements of which are now exciting the wonders of mankind. Therefore, be it resolved; That we, the survivors of the United Confederate Veterans, pledge our loyalty, and the hearty co-operation of the organization in this crisis of affairs, to stand ready at all times with men and money, irrespective of political affiliations, to support the President of the United States as commander-in-chief of our army and navy until an honorable peace has been conquered from the enemy. In being unanimously re-relected commander-in-chief, Gen. Gordon was given another proof of the undying love for him in the hearts of all his surviving Confederates. All the officers were re-elected amid a scene of great enthusiasm, and responses were made which showed how deeply they were touched by the continued evidence of affection offered to them by the men they had led to many a victory, and with whom they sorrowed in many an hour of adversity. General John B. Gordon had just offered a resolution commending President McKinley's action in taking from the ranks of the old Confederate Generals for the army in the war with Spain, when Colonel Elliston, of Virginia, mounted the stand. He placed into nomination the following officers: General John B. Gordon for commander-in-chief General Stephen D. Lee for commander of the department of Tennessee General W.L. Cabell for commander of the army of the trans-Mississippi department General Wade Hampton for commander of the Army of Virginia There were no other nominations. The question was put and unanimously passed by a rising vote. In acknowledging the compliment which had been paid him, General Gordon said: "My comrades; no words of thanks I could command would do justice to the prompting of my own heart or to your generosity. I do not deserve this compliment." Voices: "Yes, you do! You do! You do!" "But by God's help I shall end my days by keeping my face always in the direction your faces have been since 1861. (Applause) And while I say that, I want it understood by every man within the sound of my voice and by the whole world as well that there beats no truer heart for this united country, for the honor and glory of the American Republic, for the prosperity and the freedom of this liberty loving people beats in any breast than in mine.(Applause) "Again, I thank you, my countrymen, and pledge myself to devote to your service, to the welfare of our common country, to the enlightenment of the youth of our land the remaining days of my life."