Tri-weekly union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-186?, 1866-09-29
THE PROPOSED RATIFICATION
MEETING IN NAsHvILLE-LETTE
FROM GEN. FORREST.

The Committee of Invitation have re-
ceived the following reply from General
FORREST, to an invitation to be present at
the meeting proposed in this city, to adopt
the declaration Of principles agreed upon at
Philadelphia, in August, as the sentiment
Of the Conservative people of Tennessee:
MEMPHIS, Sept 25th, 1s66.-Genlemen.
Your polite invitation, requesting me to be
present at the Grand Central Mass Meeting
at Nashville, called to ratify the patriotic
proceedings of the Philadelphia National
Union Convention, held on the 18th and
10th Of August, did not reach me until after
the day appointed for it to assemble. This
l trust will account to you for my delay in
acknowledging its reception. i learn from
the public journals that the time for holding
the Mass Meeting has been postponed on
account Of the prevailing epidemic and,
yet, fear that the pressure of private en-
gagements will, nevertheless, preclude me
from the pleasure Of attending.
Nothing, / assure you, would give me
more satisfaction than to meet my fellow
citizens from every part of the State, as
sembled in the Capital city, for the purpose
contemplated. The restoration policy Of
President JOHNSON, and the action of the
Philadelphia National Union Convention,
command my heartily approval, and make
no doubt that nine-tenths of the masses Of
Tennessee entertain a similar sentiment
Mr.. JoHNsoN's spolicy, l believe, is approved
not only by those who last year returned to
their former places in the Union, but, also
by all true Union men in the State 1t
would, therefore, be eminently appropriate
f.e- IL, r. Al u 4
State to meet in grand mass convention, and
give emphatic expression to their views in
the present critical conjuncture Of affairs, !
and to ratify the action of the National |
Convention, at Philadelphia. Such /
ratification would carry a weighty in |
huence where it is most needed at this mo- |
ment-it would, as you eloquently remark, |
speak trumpet-tongued encouragement to |
the earnest men who are fighting the battle |
Of the Union and the Constitution at the |
North" 1t is plain to the least observant |
that much-more, indeed, than | like TO |
contemplate depends upon the success of |
the National Union men" of the North |
in the approaching elections. Should they |
succeed in changing the complexion of the |
present Congressional delegations from the /
great leading States of the North, all will |
doubtless go well with the Union and the /
Constitution, and with us of the South |
On the other hand, should they be defeated |
in their efforts to overthrow the proscriptive |
extremists and dfsuniOnists of that section,
then, in all probability, the restoration Of /
the Union must be indefinitely delayed, and |
the oppression Of the Southern people con-
tinued during the will and pleasure of those
whose political platform seems to be made
up of but two planks,-one of which is la
belled, Hatred" the other, Revenge"
Thanking you, gentlemen, for your cordial
invitation, and trusting that the Mass Meet
ing may prove a signal success,
am, very truly yours, etc,
n B. FORREST.
Hon. JOHN S. BRIEN, F. G. DUNNNGToN,
A L nEp.r Rnnpr,s Com r,iftnn Of Inrifntinr, |