Wilmington journal., 1868-08-14
in North Carolina. write upon the records
of the State their own infamy-and acrite 1t
ss, 6LoaI
Re.toratton i'm Tennessee,

The Nashville Union of the I'd instant
has an extended and interesting account OF
the proceedings of exConfederate general
officers at meeting held in Nashville, and
at an interview with the military commit
tee of the Legislature on the lst instant, at
which the following ex-Confederate OIL
GERS were present Generals N. b. For
rest B. F, Cheatham, G. J. Pillow, B. Il.
Johnson, S. r. Anderson, ". B. Bate,
George Nancy, George W. Gordon, W. A.
Ouarles, Thomas B. Smith, G. G. Dibrell,
John G. Brown and Joseph B. Palmer. At
the meeting of officers held preliminary to
the interview with the military committee,
Gen. Forrest was chosen chairman, and
memorial to the Legislature was adopted
and signed by all the officers, at which 1t
was emphatically denied that they shouGht
the overthrow of the State government,
nor did they believe that there was any or
ganization in Tennessee, public or secret
which has such a purpose, and pledglng
all their influence to uphold and support
the laws and aid the authorities In their
execution. At the same time they respect
fully suggested that a removal of the pollt-
ical disabilities resting upon so many of the
citizens of Tennessee would heal The wounds
of the State and restore the Union and
prosperity of the people. In their inter
view with the military committee the same
sentiments were reiterated in speeches by
Gen. Brown, Gen. Forrest, Col. Roche,
Gen. Cheatham, Gen. Quarles and other
officers Col. Poser, of the military com
mittee, made speech, expressing conf
dence IN the honest intentions of the ex-
Confederate officers, but said that lawless-
ness had been committed which must be
suppressed, by moderate means If possible,
but, if necessary, by extreme measures. At
the same time he added: :
"I believe, gentlemen, you sincere. I know
you as soldiers sour fidelity and courage dis
played on hundred battle-helds. which, however
much it may be regretted, IL now part OF tue
common history of our country, satisfies me that
You are sincere. am certain that express the
sentiment Of this committee and the 'epuohcan
party when Say that speedy bringing about OF
the result enfranchisipg these people is desire
b, ALL and the sooner this is done the better. II
the people in this state will assist In carrying out
the laws it will not be long before ry difficulty
in the way of enfranchisement will bo removed" "
Similar sentiments we're expressed by
Capt Williams, of the military committee.
If a like spirit should control the action of
the Legislature, it would be auspicious of
the happiest results. 1t is inevitable that
such state of things as that in Tennessee
begotten of the passions and opportunities
of war, cannot be permanent in any civil
lied community accustomed to freedom.-
The consideration of what is right and just
to other men will assert itself in honest re-
publican minds, and lead to the removal of
| inequalities brought about by those who
took advantage of times of public trouble
and peril to effect the exclusion of those
who differed from them politically from the
common and immortal functions of Ameri-
can citizens.
The following is a copy of the Memorial
which has been referred to the Legislature :
THE MEMORIAL.
To the Honorable Legislature Of Tennessee, nOD IN
extraordinary session
The right of petition and remonstrance being
conceded by all classes in this country, and feel
ing, as we do, deep solicitude for the peace and
X s .
ing to that class in Tennessee who are regarded
by some of it's authorities as hostile to its present
organization, we yield to sense OF duty and re-
spectfully invite your honorable body to consld-
GRAFTON Of our view of the means that may avert
the precipitation OF the crisis, which is acknowl-
edged to be imminent. Being regarded as identi-
fed with that large class supposed to be hostile to
the State government, we beg respectfully to say
that his Excellency, the Governor, wholly misap-
prehends our feelings and intentions IN declaring
in his late message that we seek the overthrow of
Mate government.
revolutionary or lawless means. Neither we nor
those with whom in our past days we have been
associated contemplate any such rashDess and
folly nor do we believe there is in Tennessee any
organization, either public or secret, which has
such purpose. And if there be. we have neither
sympathy nor utilization Herewith. We believe
ganiZaton OF a military force by your honorable
body, and respectfully submit that such meas
ure might more strongly tend to bring
about and promote collisions than to con-
serve the harmony and good order Of the
country. And inasmuch the supposed
danger to the peace of the State is apprehended
are considered identified, inducement and
reason to your honorable body not to organize
such military force we pledge ourselves to main
tain the order and peace OF the State with what
ever of influence we possess to uphold and sup
port the laws and aid the constituted authorities
| in their execution, trusting that reciprocation
of these sentiments from your honorable body
will produce the enactment of such laws will
remove all irritating causes now disturbing So
cety. For when it is remembered that the large
mass of white men in Tennessee are denied the
right to vote hold Office, it is not wonderful
unnatural there should exist more or less dissat-
isfaction among them And we beg leave re-
spectfuly to submit for your consideration that
prompt and efficient action on the part of the
proper authorities for removal OF the political
disabilities resting upon many of our people
would heal all the wounds of our State, and make
us once more prosperous, contented, and united
people.
Respectfully, your obedient servants,
| N. B. Forrest,
| William b. Bate,
John G. Brown,
Thomas B. Smith,
Joseph B. Palmer,
Bushrod r. Johnson,
G.. W. Gordon,
B. F. Cheatham,
Gid. j. Pillow,
s. r. Anderson,
William A. Quarles,
g. G. Dibbrell,
George Nancy,
NdshuMe, august 1, 1863.
OUR RALEIGH CORRESPONDENTS.