The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-09-13
GEMS. FORREST AND SLOVENIAN.

At the recent ratification meeting at Memphis,
Gen. FonREsr presided, and the NEE ting was ad-
dressed by Gen. SroNEMAS. Upon taking the
chair, Gen. F. made the following appropriate re-
marks:
az thank you for the honor conferred upon me
tonight in selecting as your presiding oi1eer.
You will allow me to say that l am far more ia
railliar with the stern duties of the soldier than
sm with the art of public speaking. 1t is known
to most of you that my life has been one of ac-
'fion rather than of words. Nor has it been my
habit to take any leading part in the direction of
political and public affairs. But the occasion of
this evening is one of no ordinary Importance.
You have assembled to express your appreciation
or disapprobation of the principles of public poll
cy and constitutional Government declared in the
resolutions and address set forth to the American
people by the late Philadelphia Convention. If
the principles therein enunciated shall be sustain
ed by the American people, and particularly by
the majority ofthe freemen of the Northern States,
the people of the South win be speedily re-
stored to civil and constitutional liberty. If
know myself this is the anxious desire of my heart
and the principles public policy and constitution
al law therein contained, and without regard to
the language in which they stand expressed, they
meet my full, unreserved and cordial approval.
When pledged my word and my honor to the lost
cause of the late Confederacy, supposed that no
one who knew me ever doubted the honesty aud
good faith with which they would be redeemed;
. Al
irreYocable, as have accepted them, and pledge
my word and faith to the support of the great
principles declared to the world by the Philadel-
phia Convention as I now do, that vow and that
faith shall be equally constant and Interchangeable.
ssThere is one thing will say in regard to the
soldiers of the North and the South-the men who
have met each other in the stern shock of battle,
and conflict of arms that tried their courage and
their souls-if these grave matters were referred
to them, these States could be instantly restored
to their former relations, their people to the right
Of representation IN Congress, and oil sections of
the Union to quietude and friendship"
In continuation of the closing paragraph of the
above truthful and manly effort, we present brief
report of the speech made by Gen. SToNEMAN,
who was called upon to address the meeting
There is striking contrast exhibited between the
tone and temper of these gentlemen and the stay
at-homes of both sections:
aYou have called before you, not partisan or
q politician, but simple citizen of the Govern
ment of the United States, knowing no North, no
South, no East, no West The war in which the
people of this greatest of all countries has been
engaged during the past eventful years is ended
theissues upon which that war was based are set
tied Ifthere is anything to forgive, let it be for
given; if there is anything to be forgot, let it be
forgotten. Let US all recollect that we have but
one country and one fag. The object for which
we are all assembled here tonight is, as under
stand it, reconstruction and reunion. You may
force separated man and wife to live in the same
house, lodge in the same room, but they will never
be reunited as man and wife until they have first
become reconciled. said the war was ended. AS
we we're enemies in war, let us be again friends
and in this sentiment know that none will join
me more heartily than the gallant and distinguish
ed president of this assemblage. The bravery
that was displayed during the past by each one
engaged in the war, let it be the common property
Of all. We soldiers who did the fighting are re-
conciled, and want peace and harmony, and we
call upon you editors and orators of the land to
aid us with your pens and tongues. Preachers of
she Gospel, whose solemn obligation is to preach
peace and good will, we ask your prayers and in
yocations and from you, politicians, We demand
that you shall cease your wranglng and allow the
good work TO go on until our object is attained.
And you fair maidens and noble matrons, who,
during the fighting, cheered us with your smiles
and frightened us with your frowns lend US the
potency of your power in the accomplishment of
work so laudable and SO noble. as / am not
candidate for your sufrages nor never expect to
be. nor ever east vote for President in my life,
you will not expect me to define my position; but
this much will say: I have been member of
club for o quarter of century, and which was
organized three-quarters Of century ago. BY
The Constitution Of that club its President rs elect
ed everyfour years. It's first President was Georeg
Washington; its present President is Andrew
johnson, whom the people call :" our Andy"
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIoR-The NGtion-
al Intelgencer, announcing the installation of the
new Secretary Of the Interior, says: Having,
some weeks ago. given sketch of this able honest
and enlightened statesman, we have only to add
that he was the life and soul of that great and
patriotic gathering Of the men of mark from every
-.,l ,e o,. co,,nir1, tho pb;1ade1nhia Couvcntion