The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-07-15
General Forrest and Joe. Brown.

.is a&
Gen. N. B. Forrest, The great cavalry
officer of the ConfederacY, is adelegate to
the National Democratic Convention. 1t
is said that he is quite popular with the
Federal officers at Memphis, who know
how to appreciate gallant soldier, though
a late enemy, and how to admire an honest
gentlemen, though late Rebel. When
Forrest was announced as a delegate to
the Convention, quite breeze Of opposi-
ton, sprang up in Tennessee, but it was
iulled to rest. Already, several Radical
journals elsewhere have commenced har-
ping on Fort Pillow aud the curious spec.
tacle to be presented on the fourth Of July
when the hero of that fight shall be in sol.
emu conclaye of Democrats. II has been
quite forcibly shown that Forrest at New
York win be more presentable figure
than Joe Brown at Chicago. The General
has made the comparison himself, after
homely but incisive fashion, and we will
let him speak for himself. A correspon-
dent of the Louisville Courier thus re-
ports, 'R jNT
s Il5l sft HIS POSITION. ~
Il didn't want to 60 to the National
Democratic Convention" said Forrest.
"In fact, it did not cross my mind until it
was urged on me by some Of the most prom
inent citizens and politicians in Tennessee.
I thought at the start that it would be i'm
prudent to send me, but they argued differ
emily; and when at last gave my consent
| did not feel at liberty TO retire and leave
my friends to hold the bag. Two or three
times in the State Convention while they
were debating the question had half q
mind to draw ont, and failed to do so be-
cause ! consider that when man has put
himself in the hands rofothers he has no
right to be run off BY false delicacy.",
"You mean to go ofcourse?"
ITO be sure do. It won't be more
curious. l reckon, to see me in q Demo.
cratic convention than twas to see Joe
Brown in a Radical convention"
"But he's recanted all his sins, and you
haven't; in other words, he goes with the
ruling power, and you don't"
"There is good deal Of mistake about
that,p he answered. "The Radicals like
Joe Brown because he is Radical. Isup-
pose the same rule would apply to me with
the Democrats. Why, sir, the warmest re-
ception I've had since the war was from
General Sherman. Tn not afraid of the
Democratic soldiers or the Republican sol
diers, I like General Hancock, and I
don't believe there is brave or reasonable
Union soldier who dislikes or doubts me
as. a man. went into the Var because
my vote had been unable to preserve the
peace. / took through ticket Of course,
and ] fought and lost as much asny one
else certainly as much as 1 could. Now
the wars over, and I'm under oath to keep
my parole. Suppose I consider myself an
outlaw and refuse to take part in what's
going on, does that help me keep my oath?
Won't folks that are disposed to be lima
tured say I'm sullen aud dangerous, aud
only waiting chance to break out in
fresh place? That's what they have said.
Now give the country sort of hostage
in addition to my parole when I join an
active, organized body of Union men in
the North, and Iproclaim when I go to
New York that am least as well recon-
structed as Joe Brown who was an origi.
nal secessionist
care YOU committed to any candidate?
"None whatever, except as the Nash
vile Convention committed me. / guess
the delegation will have no trouble decid-
ing who it will 60 for. What we do want
is the best man. 1t amt because We hate
Grant that We are anxious to beat his
ticket. It's because the Radicals won't
give us q chance if they keep in power.
Look at Tennessee. That's Radicalism,
and that's why I'm Democrat.
A~)s@-