The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-07-22
FRANK BLAIR TALKS OUT IN MEETING AND
RAISES A DISTURBANCE.

At banquet given to the officers of the Army
of the Gulf, at Long Branch, on Thursday eve-
ming, Gen. Frank Blair, in responding to toast,
was so ndiscreet as to offend his audience by o
too earnest endorsement of Stonewall Jackson and
the Southern rebels in general. lie was loudly
Kissed by the members of the association, and
finally called to order by Admiral Farragut. Much
ill-feeling towards Blair prevails in consequence
of the speech. The following is an account of the
scene from the New York letter of the Cincinnati
Commercial. The writer, as will be observed, is o
Radical but, allowance being made for his pre-
iudices, his report is doubtless in the main cor
rect:
He braced himself against the table, aid 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 SOL
diers, he spoke to r magnanimous and generous
court that those against whom we contended, those
whom we aspersed as rebels and traitors. and over
whom we had triumphed, were great and gener-
GUS people, and we'll worthy our best steel. Turn
ing TO Admiral Farragut, who politely bowed ac-
ouiescence, Gen. Blair said " We have heard the
praises of Farragut, Sheridan md others, tonight
i've will vet hear of Lee pronounced in louder
tome and exulting manner, and of Stonewall jack
SOM The General articuated the name of this
distin puished rebel with his voice pitched at its
highest key. [Hisses cries of Order, ''Trait.
or. "Sit clown, ;" "Sit down." 8" Put him out,
"Shame." -.
General Blair was not discouraged, but said in
naughty manner, "Does anybody dissent Is
there any dissent!'' "Yes, sir, there is" az
do. sir: do. My name is Major Robert A. Hag-
certy, SIR" [Sensation. pause followed,
which was almost Immediately broken by cries OF,
" Don't hear him. "Shut up" Sc.
General Blair-"I do not ask TO be heard;
do not beg for hearing; / never have and never
will"
After the widest confusion and excitement had
lasted about ten minutes Admiral Farragut, who
had been doing his utmost to restore harmony,
finally secured attention, and good d-naturedly sara
that, as the meeting had asked Mr. b. TO speak,
they ought to hear him patiently.
Gantain Montgomery, of the navy, said: Mr..
Chairman, call Mr.. Blair to order. There is an
article in our bylaws which forbids any political
discussions or harangues at any OF our meetings.
1 call upon the chair to enforce that rule"
Admiral Farragut-" Have you copy! Let
me see it,"
A CODY was shown to him he read the clause
alluded TO by Captain Montgomery, and then aa-
dressed Mr.. Blair: eyes, Mr.. Blair, csll you to
order, because our bylaws do not permit any po-
litical speeches at any of our meetings. Intention
ally or otherwise, you have introduced pohucs.
After this decision of the chairman, Gen. Blair
resumed his seat The comments of the New York
press brought out the following characteristic let
ter few days afterwards:
New YORK CRY, July 10, 1869.
m u. EG;tor of the Worzd-S1R: The New York
Tribune and the Times do me great injustice IN
their notice of the re-union of the othcers OF the
Army of the Gulf at Long Branch, New Jersey.
They assert that insuted the Association 10
whose BANQUET was invited by the allusion l
made to the leaders of the Confederate army.
did not intend to wound tho feelings of those who
had honored me with an invitation to participate
in their festivities on the contrary 1t was COM
nliment to our army to speak well OF those over
whom Our army had triumphed, as foemen wor-
thy of our steel" My intention and meaning
could only have been perverted by men who have
been taught by such beings as Butler to rehsn
different kind of steal.
was urged to attend this meeting and banquet,
and declined to do so until further refusa woula
have anneared ehurlsh. was appointed to re-
snond 10 one of the regular oasts, and refused to
do 90. NV reluctance to attend or speak at the
BANQUET grew out of the apprehension that these
army reunions were being used as Radica! stalk
inp-horses. The result justified the suspicion
had entertained, as an expression which cannot oe
tortured into anything but compliment 10 our
Gallant soldiers was eagerly seized by portion OF
those present and made the occasion Of gross
and indecent insult to an invited guest.
You will do me great favor by publishing this
note.
Very respectfully,