Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-04
PEACE.
Ex.Confederate Generals.
Memorial to the Legislature.
Peaceful Sentiments.

nam, ". Js fiilOW, ID. IL. JOnDSOn, % n.
Anderson, w. d. Bate, George Nancy,
George w. Gordon, w. A. Quarles, Thos.
B. Smith, G. G. Dibrell, John G. Brown
and Joseph B. Palmer.
On motion of Gen. B. +. Cheatham,
Gen. n. B. Forrest was unanimously cho-
sen chairman, who, on taking the chair, ex-
planned the object of the meeting in few
and well spirited remarks.
On motion Gen. Palmer was elected
Secretary. The committee, consisting of
Gems. Nancy, Quarles and Gordon, who
had been appointed at a previous meeting
to prepare and present q suitable memorial
to the General Assembly of Tennessee
touching the present condition of affairs in
this State, submitted their report which
was received and read, when on motion
Gems. Brown and Pillow were added to the
committee. After considering the several
papers and motions referred to them, said
committee through their chairman, Gen.
Brown, submitted as their report me-
mortal which was unanimously adopted
and which is as follows to wit:
NASHVILLE, Aug /, 1865
To the Honorable Legislature of Tennessee, now
in extraordinary session:
The right of petition and remonstrance being
conceded by all classes in this country and feel
ing, as we do, deep solicitude tor tbs peace and
quiet Of our great and glorious State, and be-
longing to that class in Tennessee who are re-
garded by of its authorities as hostile TO its
present organization, we yield to sense of duty
and respectfully invite your honorable body to a
consideration of our view of the means that may
avert the precipitation of the crisis which is
lnowledged to be imminent. Being regarded as
identified with that large class supposed to be
hostile to the State Government, we beg respect
ff,IlN to fhaV fla.an Co..
wholly misapprehends our feelings and inten-
tons in declaring in his late message that we
seek the overthrow of the State Government, or
to do any other act by revolutionary or lawless
means. Neither we nor those with whom in our
past DAYS we have been associated contemplate
any such raShness and folly; nor do we believe
there Is In Tennessee any organization, either
public or secret, which has such purpose. And
If there be- we have neither sympathy nor afili-
alton Herewith. We believe the peace of the
State does not require Reorganization OF mill
itary force by your honorable body, and respect
fully submit that such measure might more
strongly tend to bring about and promote COLI
sions than TO conserve the harmony and good or
der of the country. And, inasmuch as the sup
posed danger to the peace of the State is appre-
hended from that class of the community with
which We are considered identified, as induce
ment and reason TO your honorable body not to
organize such military force, we pledge our
selves 10 maintain the order and peace of the
State with whatever of influence we possess; to
uphold and support the laws, and aid the consti-
tuted authorities in their execution trusting
that reciprocation of these sentiments from
your honorable body will produce the enactment
OF such laws as will remove all irritating causes
now disturbing society. For when it is remem-
bered that the large mass of white men in Ten
nessee are denied the right tOYOte or 10 hold Of
hce il Is not wonderful or unnatural there
should exist more or less dissatisfaction among
them. And we Deg leave respectfully 10 submit
for your consideration that prompt and efficient
action on the part of the proper authorities, for
a removal of the political disabilities resting
upon so many of our people, would heal all the
Wounds of our State, and make us once more
prosperous, contented, and united people.
Respectfully, your Obedient servants,
n. B. Forrest, B. F. Cheatham,
William B. Bate, Gideon j. Pillow,
John G. Brown, s. X. Anderson,
Thomas B. Smith, VIM. A, QuSrles,
Joseph B. Palmer, G.. G. Dibbren,
Bushrod Il. johnson, George Nancy,
G. W. Gordon.
On motion, Generals Brown, Quarles
and Dibrell were appointed committee TO
present the memorial first adopted by their
meeting to the COMMITTEES of the Tennes-
see Legislature on Military Affairs.
On motion of General Bate, Generals
Forrest and Cheatham were added to said
committee.
On motion of General Bate the meeting
then adjourned sine die.
Y. B. toRREsT, Ch'mn.
JOSEPH B. PALMER, Sec'y.
PRESENTATION OF THE MEMORIAL.
At six O'Clock p. N. the committee of
officers appointed by the meeting repaired
to the Capitol to meet the Military Conn
mittee of the Legislature and 10 present
the memorial adopted at the meeting.
They were received by the COMMITTEES In
the Senate Chamber, and after intrOduc-
tons and salutations, the chairman, Col.
Prosser, rose and stated that they had met
together for an object of great Importance
to the people and one in which al! should
feel deep interest.
Generals Cheatham, Nancy and john
son had been with the committee on the
previous day and their interview had in
spired the hope that substantial good
would flow from the present meeting. The
committee was ready to hear anything
that the gentlemen had to ofer.
Gen. John G. Brown rose and stated on
behalf of the ex-Confederate officers, who
had met 10 this city to-day, that he was re-
quested to present memorial which he
made as above given.
Gen. Brown then said:
''Ths was the unanimous action OF the eX-ofn-
GERS who had met To-day. I'VE feel what we
have said. We present it to you in sincerity.
we desire the peace of our State We believe
that with prudent and judicous measures strife
can be averted, and we are ready TO Cooperate
with you in any measures You may adopt TO
bring about that result"
Col. Prosser replied, among other things,
IS follows:
81 believe, gentlemen, You are sincere. 1 know
you as soldiers. Your tideh ty and courage dis
PLAYED on hundred battle fields, which, how
ever much it may be regretted, is now part of
the common history Of our country, satisfies me
that you are sincere. l am certain that 1 ex-
press the sentiments of this committee and of
the Republican party, when say that speedy
bringing about of the result of acknowledgements
of these people is desired by ali, and the sooner
this is done the better. If the people in this
State will assist in carrying out the laws, it will
not be long before every difficulty in the way of
will be removed" 4
Gen. Brown sad:
"Mr. Chairman: In behalf Of the Committed
represent, I thank you for the cordial manner In
which you have received our address. We will
not stop TO inquire whether law is constitution
al or not. We propose 10 obey the laws and
have them executed. We intend TO carry out
the principles expressed in that paper. We have
had free interchange Of sentiment to-day. You
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