Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-06
GEN. CHEATHAM AT WIN
CHESTER.
bouquets and Smiles from the Iadie,

To the Editor Of the Union and American.
WINCHESTER, Oct. 4.--Gen. Cheatham
was serenaded last night, and spoke to a
large crowd a few words Of thanks. He
was greeted with immense applause. To-
day the speaking commenced at IL O'Clock,
Mr.. johnson leading. There was not q
word of applause or approval. The crowd
sat very impatiently, but still respectfully.
There was not word of interruption or
anything to disturb the distinguished speak
er; but it was easy to see that bis words
were not relshed. He again alluded to
this as politicians war, rich mans war
and poor mans fight, and again said that
if his advice had been taken there would
have been no war. 1t Is little difficult TO
get people to believe that Mr.. johnson
was the only man in this country who
knew how to save it from .destruc-
tion-a little difficult to believe
that two great opposing principles which
could be settled by no forum, but the bat
tle-feld, would not have marched on I'M
conscious of Mr.. johnson to their legiti-
mate result, settlement By the arbitra-
ment of guns. Il is a little hard to believe
that men who espoused one of those prin-
ciples, believing It right, and fought for It
until it was settled, are guilty Of treason, or
moral crime.
He again denounced Huntington in Bit
ter terms, az traitor who came cringing 10
him for pardon. Those who know Frank
Huntington, will know how much cringing
he did. Pardon accepted was mere &C.
acknowledgement that We accepted the sltua-
ton and yielded to the power ofthe gov
ernment. Il was no nowledgement OF
crime, or moral guilt: but only OF defeat.
He said, "In the exercise of the pardon
ing power, may have erred. l may nave
pardoned some / ought not have pardoned.
may have omitted 10 pardon some
shonld have pard0ned. Col. Huntington
has abused aud attacked me, and called me
traitor, with my pardon in his in his peck
ct. 1t does look TO me now, with the lights
before me now, that ought to haze par
doned Mrs. Surratt and hung Huntington.
That is my opinion now"
This is his exact language, and his argn-
ment will apply TO every man he pardoned,
TO every Confederate soldier, who dares
10 oppose Mr.. johnson, and exercise his
right as free man 10 discuss his acts, and
30 vote AGAINST him.
It looks very much as if he used the par
doDing power 10 attach men to him, when
he brands every man with infamy, ingrati-
tude, and even crime for which he should
have been hung, who dares discuss his
character as a public man. 1t is mon
strous. For all his talk of the COnstitu-
ton, and of this free America, he would
not have it very freq nor have much Of
constitutional right, if the public and even
private acts of individuals could not be dis
cussed.
He did not mention Gov. Harris and the
school fund. He told the old tale about
Rome and the party Of Cesar, and Pompey,
etc. He forgeis the strong similarity of his
nomination by the crowd at Nashville and
the choice of candidates in the degenerate
days Of Rome. He sat down without
word of applause, and Mr. Maynard arose.
Some of the boys thought Gen. Chatham
was to follow, and raised yell for him.
They soon saw their mistake and listened
with respectful attention.
Maynard's speech was calm and dis
passionate, and The best presentation of his
side of the case that could be made. He
made no new defences Of Grants admins
tration. As they are not likely TO affect
our voters who are pretty well posted on
the sophistries of the Grant party it is not |
necessary TO notice them.
When Gen. Cheatham arose he was
greeted with peal on peal of denfening ap-
plause. The crowd was wild with enthu-
siasm. He would scarcely begin TO speak,
when cheer ON cheer would burst forth
from young and old. Old gray haired
men, staid business men, and young men,
threw up their hats and yelled with enthu-
siasm; even the ladies stood ON their seats
and waved their handkerchiefs. A gentle
man then came forward, and in few words
presented Gen. Cheatham with handsome
bouquet sent by two of Winchester's love
Hest daughters. Capt. Slater, of the Home
Journal, in Few eloquent remarks pre-
sented another, and one lady was escorted
TO the stand and presented bouquet.
Quiet was restored and the General, after
appropriately thanking the ladies for their |
beautiful testimonials of their appreciation
of the manner in which he had discharged
his duty, went on to attack Mr.. johnson
on the convention question, and to show
how be had shown but one side OF
the Nashville Convention. He said it was |
not true that the people of Nashville had |
failed to discharge their duty to Confede- |
rate soldiers wives. They levied tax for |
that purpose until 1862, when Mr.. johnson |
came to Nashville. He said the money |
raised was expended for refugees of Mr.. |
JohnsOn's own persuasion, and it had never |
been shown that dollar went to Confede-
rae soldiers wives. He was interrupted |
here by an announcement that the train |
would wait no longer, and had to hurry of. |
He was almost carried to the depot by an |
enthusiastic crowd cheering all the way,
one carrying his oyercoat, another his dus-
ter and another bis valise. Andy and
Maynard plodded along their own solitary
way humming, "Jordan's hard road to |
trsyel.n N.