The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-05-17
Speech of Col. Grace, Of Arkansas.


Al meeting of Southern people in Mem
phis, Colonel Grace, of Arkansas, spoke as
follows:
FELLOW. CITIZENS: | am the man who
drew up the ordinance of secession in the
Legislature of Arkansas | have been ia
the field fighting against The Union for
nearly four years. but now l am conquer-
ed and whipped man. lLaughter As I
was gallant in going ont TO fight, now pro-
pose 10 be gallant at surrendering, ard sub
hitting 10 The arms of the government. Let
US have respect for the government that We
cannot whip. daughter have no con-
tempt for Federal authority now, if ever
had. do not think there is manly bosom
in the South but that has higher respect Tor
Northern gailantry than vixen he went in,o
the fight. The authorities tell Us 10 coma
back aud reconstruct the Union, that they
will give us honorable terms. Do you think
that people as brave as the North are, that
they are going 10 risk their reputation in
war to turn around after we have dispersed
our armies and give Us anything but hon.
oroble terms There may be some men in
the North who may think that The South
had hand in the death OF our lamented
President, but know the people of the
South mourn over his death, and feel tha,
they have lost friend. The North have
maintained this conflic; nobly, and the
South have noihihg 10 be ashamed OF.
am proud Of The Seuth-there is something
in The very atmosphere that makes men
great. When yo1 wanted men 10 speak
agains; the oppression OF Great Britain YOU
went 10 Virginia; when yea wanted men
to command the armies OF the colonies you
went again TO Virginia, and when you want
ed man to frame The Declaration of Inde-
pendence, you went again 10 Virginia, AID
found him in the person of Thoma. yefTer-
son, and even in our error we have shown
greatness. So, say ths, the South is
not an Insignificant people and if SO great
people as they are cannot whip The world,
who can not come 10 the inevitable conclux
sion that the North is greater lLaughter.l
And am col going 10 s,ultify myself. by
saying have been whipped by somsbody.
Now ii is our duty 10 repent and go back 10
this grea! national church-repsnt, get ah-
solution, and be baptized affesh. rLaugh.
teri | know we vii. receive honosable
and just terms. WheniI had an interview
with the President, his heart seemed 10 be
overAowin2 with love towards the Southern
people. We first.went out of tho Union
and threw down the gage OF battle, and the
North picked II np, we fred the first gun,
and took the first for,-Fou Sumpter-
which was taken back few days ago.
[Laughter] Tie Norih sesmed to be IN
willing to fight; they did no, think We
would fight, and so we though; of Them,
but TO our sorrow, we have found out differ.
eat they seemed 20 spring up like mush-
rooms from all paris of The earth. Before
this war | never saw a Federal officer,
hardly. ] never felt the slightest oppres-
sion OF the Federal Government in fac; I
! never thought we had one until wen, ont
10 fight; then found we did have COWS
eminent.
! Resolutions were adopted, declaring il ia
be the daty and interest of Southern men
TO return 10 their allegiance, and that the
United States ought TO be as. maguanimous
10 forgive as she is powerful 10 punish.