Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-08-20
GEN. FORESTS Speech.

high places they now degrade and disgrace,
GEN. FORESTS Speech. "
The Memphis Avalanche gives a report OF a
speech of General N. B. Forrest, at Browns
vile, Tennessee, on the 10th instant, IN
which he refers to his having been present
when the officers were engaged in conference,
and to the circumstances which led to it. Gen.
Forrest evidently speaks under strong emo
tons, as will be seen by the following extract
from his address, which has been characerIs-
ticaHy garbleG in commenting upon 1T by some
radical sheets, in order to make 1t appear that
be is contemplating bloody aggressive revolt
against the authorities Of the State. 1t will
BE- seen that while he expresses in his usual out
spoken way what he THINKS may be tie re-
suit under certain contingencies, and says
some things which might better have been lei
uasaid, he deprecates most strongly another
civil war, and says he will assist the sheriff to
carry out the laws of the State, though, it it is
inauguratcd by the other side, he and those
acting with him will stand on their defence.
Gen. Forrest says:
"Great fears had been expressed about the
calling out OF the militia; as many were OF the
opinion that it would lead to bloodshed Of a very
. serious character Gov. Brownlow had stated
in his message to the Legislature that all those
who belonged to the ku Kiux Khan were to be
declared outlaws, and he gave out and. declared
that these Klans were composed OF soldiers who
had been in the Confederate army. L believe
that Gov Brownlow thinks that all Confederate
soldiers, and in iact the whole democratic party
in the South belong to the Ku-klux Khan
Cheers and laughter. All are declared out.
laws, for the Governor says he has no doubt
IL nix +I,o X tbar a
The Legislature has passed some laws be-
leye, on the subject, in which the militia are
called on to shoot all Kukluxes they may find,
and they need fear no prosecution for doing So
That is, simply, that they may call Conleder-
ate soldier Kuklux, shoot him down, and no
harm shall befall any Of the militia who shall
commit such an outrageous act; Tor Governor
Brownlow has proclaimed that they were all
outlaws. IApplausc.] When this done, | tell
YOU, fellow-citizens, there will be civil war.
IF the radical Legislature, with Governor
Brownlow, arms the negroes and tcHs them to
shoot down all Confederate soldiers, on the
ground that they are members Of the Ku-kluy
Khan, as they call it, and outlaws, then, in nay
opinion, there will be civil war in Tennessee
Applause. 1t is not our policy to get into
another civil war, Or war OF any kind at the
present time, as it would be used against US
and weaken our cause in the North and have
advised every Confederate soldier whom have
of any kind taking place in Tennessee. l. re-
ceived a letter from Gen. S. r. Anderson, Of
Nashville, few days ago, and he stated to me
in that letter that he. cons dercd the action Of
Gov. Brownlow, in relation to the militia q
declaration of war, it the militia are called out
under his proclamation. This is also my opin-
ion | can assure you. fellow citizens, that |,
for one, do not want any more war. l have
seen il in all its phases, and believe me when [
say so, that | don't want to see any more blood
shed, nor do want to see any negroes armed TO
shoot down white men.
IF they bring this war upon US, there is one
thing | will tell you-that [ shall not shoot
any negroes so long as [ can see white radical
to shoot, for it is the radicals who will be to
blame for bringing on this war. can assure
you, fellow citizens, that [ shall at all times be
ready to go forward and assist the sheriff or
any other officer in carrying out the laws Of the
| State, and in order to assist him thoroughly, |
| will get as many Of my soldiers as possible TO
| 20 with me. But if they send the black men
to hunt those Confederate soldiers whom they
call the ku- Kluy, then | say to you, Go out
inauguratc civil war, the sooner it comes
the better, that VIC may know what 10 do
| lApplause. ...
L do not wish it understood that am in.
citing you to war, for, as tod you before, I
| have seen ali the war and all the bloolshed I
want | wish you to exhaust all honorable
means before you do anything, and would pre-
| fer that YOU should suffer before [ should see
civil war inaugurated in this country. We
have already lost all but our honor by the last
war; but [ must say that in order to be 1nen
| we must protect our honor at all hazards and
we must also protect our wives, our homes and
| cur families" Cheers.
| It is 10 be regretted, we think, that General
Forrest strictly as he seems to have sought to
guard himself against misconstruction as liz
| tending to iuaugurate civil war, has not like
| Gen. Cheatham and other Confederate officers
at Nashville, relrained from the utterance Of
ANYTHING whatever that might be used to fan
| the flame Of excited passions 10 Tennessee. -
! The wise and constant reticence OF General Lee
is worthy OF imitation everywhere. Its better
to leave all war talk to men whose profession is
talking, and not to anticipate what may be
avoided BY prudence and Cancellation. at the
same tine candid and just minds will take into
consideration the circumstances and character
OF the population addressed by Cen Forrest,
where party warfare RACES more iiercely than
i'll any other section OF the Union, and The
trucu!ent and bloody spirit which has been
manifested by Gov. Brownow, who, in recon-
mending that what he calls the Ku-kluy
| should be treated as outlaws, is understood NV
General Forrest to include in that design Ation
all former Confederate soldiers in Tenues see
and it is upon the execution of that me,,sure
that General Forrest avows his i,,tention If 70.
sistance. It will be observed that. SO tar from
setting himself against the civil authority Of
the State, he expresses his willingness to assist
in the execution of the ls.ws, and that it is not
the Acknowledgement Of voters bat the calling
out OF, the militia which, in his opinion, will
produce collision. -2ah. Sun