Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-22
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Ne Is serenaded at tsse Rattle rzeuse
last Night HIS speech ON the Oc.

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Ne is serenaded at che natae rzsuse
Last Nighf-KHss speech ON ths Uc-
casiOn. % -
Gen. John c. breckenridge, who arrived
in the city yesterday, was serenaded by the
Rock City Band at the Battle House last
night. About one thousand persons were
present, and the street was blocked up for
some distance by the tnrong. e-.,.f-i
The Mocking Bird" having been rendered
in admirable style, the crowd made repeated
demands for "Dixie.n In response they
played the stirring old strain, and at the
close, Con. Breckenridge was yociferously
called for. - - ~ 49,.
A table had been placed in front Of the
door, and as the veteran General came to it
he was greeted with enthusiastic cheers. he
was about to speak from the position in
which he stood behind the table, but his au-
dience insisted that he should stand on the
table. He complied, and as his noble fea-
lures and stately form rose to fun view be-
fore them, they cheered Til the streets rang
again. ,,.--r ~. $50 - ss,,a..r.-.i7.s
Gen. Battle introduced him as follows !:
"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce TO you
Gen. John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky,
First in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts of his countrymen." (Cheers.)
Gen. Breckenridge said: My friends, no
one can be more sensible than myself that l
am indebted for the high compliment which
has just been paid me by my friend here, to
| the fact that we are old friends, to his par
| TALLY, and not TO my merits. In obedi-
! ence, my friends, to your request, present
myself to you, but only for the purpose
| of expressing my sincere and very
! grateful thanks for this proof of your re-
gard. tske it to be significant simply of
| your respect and good will, accompanie d,
perhaps, here and there with deeper and
| a warmer feeling in the breast of some old
comrade. (Cheers.) l do not go about
seeking these things. On the other hand,
I am very far from affecting indifference TO
them, and in casting up the sum of life's
griefs and pleasures, shall place this occa-
sion in the scale against many of a very OPP
| posite character which it has been my for
tune to encounter. You do not expect me
to say anything more. / do not now make
speeches, and if it were my habit to do 50
perhaps if | were TO take an hour
in the circumstances that surround me per
sonally, could say nothing that would be
more useful than to express the hope that
we are all busy and doing something-to
express the hope that We all feel that an
idle, whining, repining man demands neither
the respect Of gods, men or women. / shall
conclude by saying to those with whom
used to associate in the late struggle in this
country, so many of whom have been around
me to-day, receive your welcome with
heart felt satisfaction, and return in full
measure all the affectionate friendship you
have extended towards me. In love fol
you, and grateful recollection of the scenes
in which we have been associated
l remain the same man was in past years
(Cheers.) And now my friends, beg you,
to allow me to bid you good night. do il
with the sincerest good wish for each and
all Of yen, and if were authorized to dc
so, would like to invoke blessing on thi:
city, which, is associated with few sorrows
and with very great many of the mos
delightful recollections of my life. CHEERS
Gen. Breckenridge retired, and the band
played up - Her bright smile haunts me
still;r after which the crowd dispersed.