The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-08-14
Miscellaneous.
GREAT SPEECH
. OF
GEN. VIM. b. STOKES.
Delivered In the Hall Of the House
OF Representatives, State Capl-
tOl, Friday Evening, July
Thirty. First, 1868.

Attwenty minutes past O'Clock General
Stokes mounted the Speakers stand amid
deafehing cheers. When quiet was restored
he spoke as follows:
MY FkLLow-C -CITIzESs come before you
tonight, not to denver an eloquent speech
nor to exhibit my oratorical powers, but
come as your friend. l speak thus, and in
tend that il shall apply to every class--to ev-
cry shade, hue aud color--to every man of
every political interest. have divestad my
self Of all. prejueices and personal feeling.
never felt so much the Importance of the
condition of the State and Of the rival par
ties now agitating il. was not amobg YOU
for some time back until yesterday, but |
have heard OF the condition of things from
authentic private reports and from the press
leone here to speak to you in the name of
the people. God being my helper, viii en-
deavor to eonine myself to facts, to truth
and to sound reason. am not here to heap
epithets upon any man or set of men / am
not here to call any party hard names.
am here to preach peace; am not here TO
advocate war. l enter my solemn protest
against any more war
It win not be out of place for me to 60
back few years. Seven years ago passed
through this city on my way from Washington
Twas called upon to address the people, and
remained over and addressed them, | made
certain predictions and prophecies on that
night, every ono Of which has come true. Il
was then surrounded by certain Circumstances
aud things, come before you tonight sew
en- years afterward, surrounded by similar
circumstances and also In the same predica-
meht. I shall make prophecies Tonight, MS
Idid thea. J shall warn the people to fec
from the heldanger that is threatened am ap-
prised of the fact that prejudiees exist
against me in one political party in this city,
but that shall make no difference with me,
for shall treat them all With courtesy and
with respect. t
We have assembled here tonight under
extraordinary mstances-surrounded by
the members Of the General Assembly, who
have been called. together by the Governor
for q certain purpose and to do particular
work. am in hopes that the members will
be found capable, able and willing to do their
whole duty to themselves aud TO their coun-
Try shall not atlemptto tickle you to-
night with oratorical flashes or elegant fau-
ties. want 70 deal In facts, ! want, II
possible, TO convince you OF certain and par.
ticular truths, feel the pressure and the
weight that is upon me but while feel all
that shallnOt skirk any duty or responsible
ity. The country Is now agitated from one
end 70 the other and the State all in turmoil
and confusion. Why Is this so I It ought
not to be 50. We are tod that you are al
most on the verge Of another war don't
think so. don't believe you will bave
aoother war What do you want 70 60 to
war about Who will fght2 When we
come TO count up the soldiers, We don't get
one IN thousand who wants to 6ght I have
It from a reliable source to-day-of rebel
soldier who could yourh for the Oonfeder-
a,es, that they wanted 70 war; aud | will
vonch. for the Federal soldier that be
wants peace, aud rothing but peace Then,
It the Federal soldier who supported the flag
10 the dark aud bloody days Of its peril. aud
marched through hundred fields Of death
for four yearsto purchase peace aud save the
Union and II the Confederate soldier, who
upheld the stars aud bars and laid down his
arms 10 good faith, were not for war, be be-
lieSsd there would be no war. Allthe fight
log material 10 the country vas engaged IN
the struggle, and they all got enough, The
fellows Vhn could noe be coerced or kicked
into Il then viii not be drafted uow, Tho
heart which could not Be 6rsd then win not
blaze up now atthe lnhammat0ry puts OF
little disturbing politicians. The fact Ia, gen
tlsmen, both We and they baye had enough,
aud We are not going e cut each other Up
nov for the fnn Of a. Why should we have
any more war ? What do yon want a war
forg will talk plain now. don't intend
70 rouse passion, hutto talk sober truth
Tbis d 40 cbild's play. These men who 60
round making exciting and inhammatofy
speeches, disturbing the public mind. are Dot
the men g march TO-DAY either IN the rluKs