Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-04
atniua aud Smtrifan.
A RANQUET AT MOBILE.
SDeeches of John Forsyth. Raphae
Semmes, and others.
From the Mobile Times Of April Isl
THE MOBILE CADETS.

Illar restaurant were last night the theatre
Of one Of the most interesting reunions il
ever was our good luck TO witness.
After few moments Of pleasant CONVEX
sation and general intercourse between the
distinguished remnants Of the bold cadets,
their FORMER captain, in simple, yet impres-
sive terms, gave to his former followers the
order to take their standing position around
tie social board, and then directed the former
Orderly Sergeant (afterward Colonel) HUI
ger 70 call the roll.
A death-like silence ensued, and as the
call progressed, at almost every other name,
the deep, sad voice Of Col. Robert NJ. Sands
was heard in stiAed emotion, TO answer,
'died on the field Of honor"
Long, long, indeed, was the sad list, al
though comprising only those who fell on
the battlefield, with their faces TO the foe,
and we record il for the example Of future
generations, who will inscribe it on the pages
Of history as a bright evidence Of Southern
bravery and devotion. Let those names
ever live in our hearts!
Here followed a list Of forty dead
The second regular toast was then read:
''The President of the United States"
This was received with deafening cheers,
three times three, and every loyal breast
glowed with pride as the glorious name Of
Andrew johnson was re-eclroed throughout
the vast assemblage.
When the first explosion had subsidized,
Colonel John Forsyth rose to respond to the
toast
The Colonel's almost youthful appearance,
his simple but impressive delivery, held the
meeting under their charm for nearly thirty
minutes reviewing the course Of events for
the last four years, denouncing the spirit Of
radicalism, which was seeking 10 plunge the
country in blood; paying to President John
son n Just tribute of admiration, and finally
calling on all present to continue TO stand
by their friend and protector under the folds
Of the old flag such as our forefathers trans
mitted 10 us.
These remarks were received with unani-
nous applause, and the second regular toast
was then read.
Z" Jefferson Davis and his speedy lib
cration.'
Major st. Paul rose to answer this toast,
aud did it in a few brief words, referring TO
the past services of Mr.. Davis to the Ameri-
can Union to his heroic courage; TO his
mastery eloquence and his private virtues.
He spoke briefly Of the attempted revolu-
ton, inaugurated by the South in vindication
of the principles Of l776, and the doctrines
advocated and upheld by the founders OF
this nation. In the attempt TO carry out
those sacred principles the South had placed
Mr.. Davis at their head, not from his own
choice, but in obedience to their own will,
and the crime, if crime it be 10 seek redress
and flee from insult and oppression, was the
crime of the South, not his.
The Major spoke in hopeful terms Of the
expected liberation Of Mr.. Davis, and ex
pressed the opinion that President johnson
would not add the blood Of martyr TO {
long catalogue of victims already made by
the civil war just now closed. These re
marks were favorably received by the meet
ing.
SPEECH OF RAPHAEL sEMMEs.
Admiral Raphael Semmes, the guest Of
the sad, yet pleasant feast, was called on in
answer to the toast, ''Our honored guest
When the Admiral rose, a burst Of ap.
plause broke forth from the crowd, which
nothing could suppress, and for few min
utes il was impossible to control the enthu'
siastic telling which governed these brave
youths at the sight Of their cherished guest
and favorite hero.
The Admiral, calm though he might be
on the deck of his ship, when all around
him was in flames and his vessel fast foun
dering under his feet, colors flying cannon
firing the last salutcs in honor of the sink
ing craft, the Admiral seemed 10 lose faitl
i'm himself, and twice attempted 10 take hii
seat; but slowly recovering, he commenced
his response in a slow, low and melodiOus
voice, which, as he proceeded, rose in vol
ume and tone, rs the gentle breeze which
resistly swells the lazy canvass soon lashes
itself into the furious gale which tears tC
shreds the over-strained sails and sweeps
away the ponderous masts.
In fclicitous terms, and with a dubious
smile on his lips, he spoke Of the Gattering
but rather pressing invitation he had receiv-
ed 10 visit Washington on private bust.
ness" lie related his arrival and stay al
the Capital in the capacity of guest Of the
nation;' how well cared for he was, and how
his personal safety was so zealously watched
and guarded the Secretary of the Navy
having kindly assigned picked squad OF
marines 10 that delicate duty. He said
that conscious of having at no time violated
the usages Of war; he felt strong in his inno-
cence, bat as a resigned Christian was submis-
sively bowling his head under the passing
storm.
who had almost daily access tothe President
and from him came words Of hope, which
soothed his mental tormcnts at being
separated from his beloved family and de.
voted friends
He spoke without even the shadow of re-
sentiment of the efforts made 10 take up
against him any evidence that could stamp
him as pirate and make him odious in the
eyes of the world How monitions were
sent TO every quarter 10 invite deumcia-
tions, instigate false charges, induce perjury
how these monitiOns were answered by
fabricated statements of crueties practiced
at.sea: how names were given of passcn-
gers and crew east out at sea TO perish or be
devoured by cannibafx; and how the very
individuals thus reported AS the victims of
his ferocity, quietly answered in person the
summons to appear "by proxy Of their
ghost"
lie dwelt on the liberality OF the Presi-
dent in the difficulties which assailed him,
of the peril of his situation, surrounded by
the hostile array Of Radicals and dema-
gogues, but vet expressed uudying faith in
his frmness, his courage, his talent and his
final triumph over the enemies Of the coun-
try and Constitutional freedom.
To the President, and 10 him alone, had
the Admiral appealed for justice and to him
alone was he indebted for that tardy justice
which, however, the momentous events of
the last period could not allow TO be render
cd him sooner.
The Admiral spoke of the prospects Of
the country with the wisdom and provision
Of statesman and one who has not, i'm the
midst Of the tempestuous scenes of ocean life;
lost sight Of those studies which elevate the
intellect and purify the mind.
Silence reigned throughout the whole
time, bat when the gallant tar took his seat
the widest enthusiasm pervaded the whole
assembly.
Cheers after cheers followed tigers"
were let loose, and rockets Kissed through
the air, the whole being increased ten-iold
when il was proposed the people of Mobile
should reward the survivor Of the glorious
Alabama with a token Of pablo esteem by
electing him Probate Judge.
We should have mentioned that in the
course Of his remarks the Admiral stated
that after all IL was discovered that the
only crime he had committed was that,
while struggling for life against the waves
Of Cherbourg Bay, and on the point Of
sinking forever, he should have swan to-
ward his enemies,w were Ear away, rather
than to his friends who were near!
CooLm LABoR.-The subject Of coolie
labor, for the rice fields of the South CON