American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-07-24
Frank Blair Boards the Lion in his
Den.

Den.
The gallant gentleman, whose So !
journ i'll our city last winter, says the /
New Orleans Times, enabled our peO- |
pie to become so familiar with his |
heroic and generous traits, was re
Gently present ut dinner given at
Long Branch by the officers of the
Army of the Gulf. Now, Frank
Blair is not one of those characters
whose manhood can be rest1 mel
by mere considerations for the pre-
judices and sectional and political
passions of the crowd he may hap
pen to be thrown among, but wher-
ever he may be, never fails to give
utterance to his honest sentiments
and convictions. 1t is something
refreshing, i'll these days of ignoble
trucking to the demands of partisan
hate-of gross hypocrisy and honest
feeling and convictions-tO see a
man thus bold, frank and outspoken.
1t is one of the most unhappy effects
of the merely partisan and political
character which has been given to
Il war proclaimed to be one for the
Union and for principle, when Off
GERS of gallant bearing i'll that war
can be so changed and perverted in
their natural tendencies as.to refuse
the tribute of honesty and of chIv-
alric bearing to those who proved
such g foemen worthy of their STEEL"
and in their victory over whom, they
indulge i'll such earnest and enthusi-
astic emulation. The following in
cident, which we take from the New
York correspondence of the Cincin-
natl Commercial, shows Gen. Blair
in his true and natural character:
The following are the particulars
of Frank Blairs faSco at Long
Branch: During the banquet of the
Army of the Gulf, last night, when
called on he braced himself against
the table, and began his harangue
with closed eyes. He said that not
one word had been spoken about
those who were once, and are, our
brothers. He would say one word
for the people who had been our
enemies. He knew that when he
spoke of them before soldiers, he
spoke to magnanimous and gener-
Gus court; that those against whom
we cOntended, those whom we
aspersed as rebels and traitors, and
over whom we had triumphed, were
a great and generous people, and
well worthy OF our best steel. Turn
ing to Amiral Farragut, who polite
ly bowed acquiescence, General
Blair continued: We have heard
the praises of Farragut, Sheridan,
and others, tonight. We will yet
hear of Lee, pronounced in a louder
tone and exulting manner, and OF
StOnewall Jackson" The General
articulated the name of this distin
guished rebel with his voice pitched
at its highest key. Kisses; cries Of
"Sit down. "Put him out" "Shamer'
Gen. Blair was not discouraged
but said, in naughty manner
"Does anybody dissent! Is there
any dissent ~ Yes, sir, there is
1 do, sir; do. My name is Major
Robert A. Haggerty, sir" Sensa
ton. A pause followed, which was
almost Immediately broken by cries
of 'DOn't hear him." " Shut up,r etc
Gen. Blair-"I do not ask to be
heard ; l do not beg for hearing;
never have and never will"
After the widest confusion anL
excitement had lasted about ter
minutes, Admiral Farragut, who had
been doing his utmost to restore
harmony, finally secured attention
and good naturedly said that, as the
meeting had asked Mr.. b. to speak
they ought to hear him patiently.
Capt. Montgomery, of the navy
said: "Mr. Chairman, l ell Mr.
Blair to order. There is an articl,
in our bylaws which forbids any po
litical discussions or harargues a
any of our meetings. | call upol
the chair to enforce that rule"
Admiral Farragut-'. Have you {
copy? Let me see it,"
A copy was shown him he rea(
the clause alluded to by Capt Mont
gOmery, and then addressed Mr.
Blair: " Yes, Mr.. Blair, l call yol
to order, because our by laws do no
permit any political speeches at any
of our meetings. Intentionally, o.
otherwise, you have introduced poll
ties"
Blair, with an idiotic chuckle, rt
sumed his seat.
In answer to the remark of a re
porter, that his remarks startled ant
displeased the assemblage, he re
marked: "Yes, d-n it, l knew
could fetch them, and did it." H.
| winked very significantly, as he con
cluded this sentence.
This morning the feeling agains
Mr.. Blair is very bitter. The ma
jority of the officers of the army an,
navy of the Gulf say they have bee
insulted. Many wild rumors ar
! afoat.
The PRESIDENT AND THE VIB