Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-11-02

MEMPHIS, November 1, 1872.
EDITORS APPEAL-I have received a
a copy Of the Daily Journal Of Com
merce, published at Kansas City, Mis-
souri,, of date October 18th, ultimO, in
which there is an abstract of a speech
delivered at that place on the previous
night by a person who claims TO be or is
styled "GeneTaln Hammond. In that
speech this "GeneraW Hammond makes
against me the following accusation:
In Alabama, the heavy debt was contracted.
by Democrats, the Legislature Of that state
having appropriated three IND thousand
dollars more bonds that was voted 30 the Ala
bama and Chattanooga ruilrOad, Of which
General Forrest, the Fort Pillow notable, is
President.
Ofthe bond steal charged to General Grant.
in the Selma. Marion and Memphis railroad,
is positively kiOWn to rest with General For
rest, who Appropriated to himself three mill
lion dollars Of these bonds.
Now, the whole of that statement is
absolutely and unqualiiedly false. /
was never President of the railroad first
referred to, to-wit, the Alabama and
Chattanooga railroad; never had aught
to do with its affairs; never controlled
its bonds, and by no manner of means
could have ever furnished one particle
Of foundation for the willful Islander
contained in that accusation.
/ am President Of the Selma, Marion
and Memphis railroad, and Ihave re-
ceived in this capacity the Endorsement
Of the State Of Alabama on the bonds
of this road to the amount only of seven
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. OF
these | have sold bonds to the amount
of five hundred thousand dollars, and
hold the balance. l have succeeded i'm
building fifty miles of road and running
daily trains over that distance.
/ have expended in this construction
within the State of Alabama one and a
half million Of dollars, making three
dollars expended for one that has been
received from the sale of the Endorsed
bonds.
And the banking house through which
appropriation have been conducted, be-
ing Messrs. Henry Clews & Co., the spe-
cial financial and political friends of
General Grant, l refer to them for the
accuracy of the above statement. Ham
mOnd, who prefixes General" to his
name, doubtless considered it of small
moment 10 SANDER and villify a man,
since character with him, doubtless, is
2 matter Of indifference. And it is evil
dent he does not take truth into consid-
Grafton.
Besides, it is very safe to make such
charges, with the difference between
Memphis and Kansas City intervening,
and with the General" safety may be
an object.
This is not the first time | have been
personally traduced by persons who
bear the title of Federal officers; and on
former occasion / have branded such
charges in such terms (f there had been
proper military courage to back up an
afforded ample opportunity tony
a~ssailants.
l now propose to offer the same OppOr-
to General Hammond, 10 whom
l desire to address myself in plain and
mmistakable telms, not stronger than
the imputatiOn upon me deserves, but so
plain that his understanding of my
meaning and purpose cannot be at fault.
He is q liar II car use no other language
to One so basel, a cOwardly puppy, ami a
scOundrel. If ne owns the title of Gen
eral in the Federal army, he disgraces
it; and if l have anything like justice
and fair dealing at the hands Of the jour
nal that published his unproV0ked and
wanton outrage upon me, tins brand Of
liar, coward and scoundrel will spread as
far as his SANDER and live longer. That
he may be assured of my Willingness to
hear from him, he is notified that a let
ter addressed to me at Memphis will
meet with attention. n. B. FORREST.