The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-14

TENNESSEE.


Ex-Rcbcl Generals in Council.
At meeting OF late rebel officers at Memphis
last saturday evening, at which General Forrest,
Colonel Henry Clay King, General Rucker and nu-
merous other prominent Tennesseeans were present,
the following resolutions were adopted
Whereas N b. Forrest, b. +. Cheatham, William
B. Bate Gid ]. Pillow, John G, Boomer, s. K. Ander
son, william A. Quares Joseph b. Palmer, 3. q.
Dbrell George Nancy, Bushrod r. Johnson, c. w.
Gordon and Thomas b. Smith, late generals in the
Confederate army, having during the late civil war
commanded the great body OF tennessee soldiers In
with the members OF their former commands. did
make overtures 10 the legislature OF Tennessee,
now in session at Nashville for the preservation OF
peace OF the State and IN their appeal In this be-
half did undertake TO speak for their late comrades
In arms, therefore be 1t
Resolved That we, a portion OF the officers and
soldiers actively engaged in the late armed struggle
between the United States and the late Confederate
States, behalf OF the South, do approve the ear
nest appeal for peace made by the gentlemen above
named Our former oficers-and earnestly second
| their efforts made for paciicatiOn.
q That in representing the late Confederate
soldier as intent peace-devOted to the active
pursuits of life in maintaining themselves and their
families, recovering their material interests rom te
waste and ruin accustomed by The war, and not mar
| boring any purpose to overthrow by violence the
present State government, or by arms resist the
laws-they spoke truthfuy, and properly designate
the sentiments, purposes and practice OF the ex-
Confederate soldiers here assembled, anu, as we
Deeve OF every such soldier in the state who did
his duty in arms IN the late war as soldier
b That when the armies OF the south surrendered,
they did in good faith, intending TO abide bv such
issues az were considered at the time by both par
ties settled by the war. But we feel authorized on
this occasion 10 that we did not understand the
terms of surrender to contemplate the total deprva-
ton Of all civil and political rights and 70 be declared
outlaws and feiOnS.
4. That we have entertained and do not now
tertain any purpose 10 renew the war inangurate
intestine connection. care neither cOnspratOrs nor
revOutOniSts, and deprecate the greatest evil the
Introduction OF violence into the administration OF
affairs. Having experienced the pressure OF war In
all its most terrible aspects we utterly unwilling
to invoke IL, ana most sincerely protest against all
measures calculated to incite II.
>. That nevertheless, cOnst GUS Of dignity and
rights as American citizens, cannot but regard
the Withholding of the elective franchise from
unjust and utterly unwarrantabe by any conduct on
6. That we depore the threatened action of the
Legislature looking 20 the calling out OF militia
force. We compelled, in Justice 10 ourselves and
the people OF The state, to dcnonnce unworthy of
credit the professions Of the projectors of this inca
sure when they aege that their object is the keeping
of the peace On the contrary, satisfied from
the evidence at hand that their purpose Is the
that they mean through the unbridled license
of vagabond militia to provoke the people OF the
state INTO resistance and bring on conflict between
the two and thai tins is done the nstigation
and IN the interest Of the managers OF the radical
party In order that the public mind OF the North may
be uniustly nnamed against the people OF the South,
and thus prevent the defeat OF tilat party III the
Northern Stetns. in other words Tennessee
is TO be subjected to the horrors OF intestine
war as part Of the programme of the rad
cal campaign in the North. We further pro-
CHAIN thai the alleged acts OF violence urged
as ground for This contemplated action mere
excuses fabricated for the purpose of conceaing the
true object of this corrupt radical party: because
from the best evidence we can obtain the victims Of
the acts OF violence complained OF have been SUBJ
lccted 10 summary punishment without reference to
Their political opinions, and were notorious crDi-
mails, oftentmes guilty Of those crimes which in any
community would subject them to swift punishment.
some o! these victims we know TO have been COnfed
crate soldiers. The necessity COR such irregular admin
istratOn Of justice we deeply deplore, but
PEELED in truth attribute II to these causesthe in
efficiency OF the courts, the reckless use OF the par
donng power by the Executive Of the State and the
license encouraged IN fhe delnded freedman by the
men VINO are using him In order TO bUild UP In this
State radical organization.
I. We pledge ourselves and solicit all Confederate
soldiers throughout the state to use the utmost
diligence ami caution to avoid collision with the
militia or with any portion Of the inhabitants Of the
State and 20 preserve the peace. Lea all good SOL
diers remember that digniied patience under adj
verse fortune ~ IA great an exhibition of courage as
the most daring deeds on the battle field; and
when tile liberties Of whole country depend on his
moderation under insult and injury then forbear-
evinces the highest qualities of the true soldier.
We in the utmost good faith recognize the present
federal and state governments as our own at
present constituted until changed 10y lawful and
peaceful means and, to show the faith Of profess
sions, we pledge ourselves TO stand by both, and TO
| fight for both, when called on tO protect the same
against foreign or domestic foes, and We represent
ing the masses OF the people Of Tennessee DO
sOemny protest against being considered dOmes
tic foes.
General Thomas, Views Of the situation.
General Thomas has written letter to a member
Of the Tennessee Legislature, in which he says
AUGUST g. 1868.
ON my return to Louisville from inspection trip
to West Tennessee had the honor to receive your
favor Of the 18th ult.
agree with you that the state of affairs in ennes-
see, 80 far as can judge by reading the papers, Is
far from pacific. l believe, however, II the news
paper report OF an interview between some Of the
late Confederate officers and committee of the
Tennessee Legislature be true, then there is some
hope OF peaceable and amicable adjustment OF the
difficulties now threatening the peace and welfare of
the State.
read with much interest the speeches, or rather
assurances, given by both parties, and am glad to
find that they were mutually 'conciliatOry and
friendly. therefore sincerely hope that they may
be able TO arrange peaceful plan OF settlement and
that Tennessee may be In prosperous condition at
an early day.
II VIII require the utmost care to reconcile the
conflicting INTERESTS but sincerely hope the Legis-
lature will he equal to the task imposed upon 1t.