Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-02
A Memorial % Che IegisLatnFe.
T PFF1TT nTETT7 sfFiN
Interview With the Military
' Committee.
Peaceful Sentiments Expressed
= on All Sides. Vs.
Law and Order Against Violence
100 T9Nand Anarchy. EC

| ent, 20 wit: Gems. N. u. Forrest, Il. +.
| Cheatham, G. ]. Pillow, 3. Il. johnson, S
r. Anderson, w. B. Bate, George Nancy
George w. Gordon, w. A. Quarles, Thorn
as B.Smifh, G. ca Dibreli, John G. Brown
and Joseph 3. Palmer - g. - s
On motion ofGen. 3. f. Cheatham, Gen.
\ Forrest was unanimously chosen Chair
man, who on taking the chair, IN 4 few and
| well spirited remarks explained the object
Of the meeting. On motion Gen. Falmel
/ was elected Secretary. The committee
consisting of Gems. Nancy, Quarles and
Gordon, who had been appointed At the
| previous meeting to prepare and present n
suitable memorial TO the General Assembly
Of Tennessee, touching the present condi-
ton of affairs in this State, submitted
their report, which was received and read,
when on motion Gens. Brown and Pillow
were added to the committee. After con-
sidering the several papers and motions
referred 20 them, said committee through
| their Chairman, Gen. Brown, submitted al
their report a memorial, which was unani-
mously adopted, and which is as follows,
to wit g--.. .--...... ..-.
p 10 The Honorable Legislature Of Tennessee
nor IN extraordinary session The right oil
petition and remonstranCe being conceded
by all classes in this country, and feeling,
as we do, a deep sOlicitude for the peace
and quiet Of our great and glorious State,
and belonging to that class in Tennessee,
who are regarded by some of its authori-
ties, as hostile 10 its present organization,
we yield 10 a sense Of duty and respectfully
invite your honorable body to a considera-
ton of our view of the means that may
avert the precipitation of the crisis, which
is acknowledged to be imminent. Being
regarded az Identified with that large class
supposed to be hostile to the State govern
ment, we beg respectfully to say, that his
Excellency, the Governor, wholly misap-
prehend our feelings and intentions, in de-
claiing in his late message that we seek
the overthrow of the State government,
or to do any other act by Revolutionary or
lawless means. Neither we nor those with
whom in our past days we have been asso-
ciated, contemplate any such rash
ness and folly; nor do we believe
there is in Tennessee, any organization,
either public or secret, which has such a
purpose. And if there be, we have neither
sympathy nor utilization Herewith. We
believe the peace Of the State does not re
| quire the organization Of a military force
BY yGir honorable body, and respectfully
submit that such a measure might more
strongly tend TO bring about and promote
| collisions than to'conserve the harmony
ami good order of the country. And mas
much as the supposed danger to the peace Of
the State is apprehended from that class OF
the community with which we are consid-
sI..tsE.I -
to your honorably body not to organize
such military force, we pledge ourselves 10
maintain the order and peace of the State,
with whatever Of influence we possess-to
uphold and support the laws, and aid the
constituted authorities in their execution,
trusting that a reciprocation of these senti-
ments from your honorable body will pro-
duce the enactment of such laws as will re-
move all irritating causes now disturbing
society. Forwhen It is remembered that the
large mass of white men in Tennessee, are
denied the right TO vote or hold Office, it
is not wonderful or unnatural there should
exist more or less dissatisfaction among
them. And We beg leave respectfully 10
submit for your consideration that prompt
and efficient action on the part of the proper
authorities, for a removal of the political
disabilities resting upon SO many Of our
people, would heal all the wounds of our
State, and make us once more a prosperous,
contenled and united people.
Respectfully your obedient servants,
.s- N. b. FORFEIT,
h. +. CHEATHAM, -
WILLIAM L. BATE,
- GID J. PILLOW,
JOHN G. Brown,
S. r. ANDERSON.
THOMAS B. SMITH, 4
WILLIAM A.QUARLEs, .
JOSEPH B. PALMER,
G.. q. DIBREIL,
BUsRRoD r. JOHNSON,
... GEORGE Nancy,
G. w. GORDON.
Nashville, August !, 1865.
On motion, Generals Brown, Quarles and
Dibrell were appointed a committee to pre-
sent the memorial-frst adopted 10y this
meeting-to the Committee Of the Tennes-
nessee Legislature on Military Affairs.
On motion Of General Bate, Generals
Forrest and Cheatham were added to said
committee.
On motion Of General Bate, the meeting
then adjourned sine de.
N. B. FORREST, Chairman.
JosEPH B. PALMER, Secretary.
PRESENTATION OF THE MEMORIAL.
| tAtsix o'clock P. NJ. thecommitte of officers
appointed by the meeting repaired to the
| CAPITOL to meet the Military Committee OF
! the Legislature, and 10 present the memo
| rial adopted at the meeting. They were
| received by the committee in the Senate
/ rg,I 40 fr,fro1t,.sfrvv. IL
tatious. the Chairman, Col. Prosser. rose
! ana stated that they had met together far
an object Of great importance TO the PEG
pie, and one in which all should feel a deer
| interest. Generals CheaihaIn, Nancy and
| johnson had been with the committee on
the previous day, and their interview had
inspired the hope that substantial good
would aoW from the present meeting. Tbs
lrommittee was ready 70 hear anything that
the gentlemen had to offer.
Gen. John g. Brown rose and stated, OF
behalf Of the ex-Coniederate officers whs
had met in this ci.y to-day, he was request
ed 20 present a memorial, which he read
as above given.
Gen. Brown then said: This was fhs
unanimous action Of the eT-oficers who
had met to-day. We feel what we have
said. We present il TO Won in sincerity
We desire the peace Of our State. We be
lieve that with prudent and iudieious meas
ures strife can be averted, and We are ready
to cooperate with you in any measures yol
may adopt TO bring about that result
Col. ProsseT replied thaths accepted The
memorial for the committee, and would
present il 20 the Legislature. He did not
know what disposition would be made o
il; but for himself and the Committee, h,
felt gtatifsd that gentlemen Of their stand
ing and influence had come forward wild
an honest and earnest purpose 10 sustain
the laws and 20 preserve the State fnOu
STRIFE. Your influence was great In tinlt
Of war, and now thsi it may be exeried K
build up instead of 20 destroy, il will b
| proporLionably great None Of Us VIII,
would not rather see the fertile hills ana
valleys Of Tennessee shining with tli'
glow Of golden hsTvesis than TO see then
torn by the destructive tread OF hosGh
armies.
Governor Brownl0W does net desire 4
cali out the militia. But it is due to can
dor to say that he feels il 20 De his duty {,
uphold the State authority and 70 execut
the laws. Depredations have been com
mitted, men have been shot or hing, other
] have been whiuppd or maltreated, ans