The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-27
tfTom the Memphis Appeal. Nov. 2l
HAIR-TRIGGnfi TALK.
Cen. n. ID. FORESTS Card i'm Answer to
Cen. Hammond OF Missouri.
MEMrnIs, Nov. /. 1872

-Schs Oh HissOuri.
MEMPHIS, Nov. /, 1872.
Editor APpeal:-I have just receiv-
ed a copy of the Daiiy journal Of
Commerce, published at Kansas City
Mo-, Of date Oct. 13, ultimo. in
which there is an abstract of speech
delivered at that place on the preyi-
Gus night by person who claims to
be or is styled General Hammond.
In that speech this "General" Ham
mond makes against me the follow
ing accusations:
I'm Alabama, the heavy debt was
contracted by Democrats, the Legis-
ldtnre Of that State having appro J..
priated three hundred thousand dol
lars more bonds than was voted TO
the Alabama & Chattanooga Rail-
road, of which Gen. Forrest, the
Fort Pillow notable, was president.
"Of the bond steal charged to
Gen. Grant in the Selma, Marion IL
Memphis Railroad, it is positively
known to rest with Gen. Forrest who
appropriated to himself three million
dollars Of these bonds"
Now, the whole Of that statement
is absolutely and unqualifiedly false.
! was never president Of the railroad
first referred to, to-wit: the Alabama
Il Chattanooga railroad; never had
aught to do with it's affairs; never
controlled its bonds, aud by 10 man
ner of means could have ever fur
nished one particle Of foundation for
the wilful SANDER contained in that
accusation.
am president Of Selma, Marion
& Memphis Railroad, and / have re-
ceived III this capacity the endorse
ment 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. / have succeeded in
building fifty miles of road and am
running daily trains over that dis
tance.
l have expended in this construc-
ton within the State of Alabama one
and half million dollars, making
three dollars expended for one that
has been received from the sale Of
the Endorsed bonds.
And the banking house through
which my negotiations have been
conducted. being Messrs Henry
Clews 4 Co. the special financial
and political friends of Gen. Grant,
refer TO them for the accuracy OF
the above statement. Hammond
who prefxcs general" to his name
doubtless considered it of small mo-
ment 10 slander and Willy man,
since character with him, doubtless.
is matter ot indifference. And. ii
is evident, he does not take truth into
consideration.
Besides, it is very safe TO make
such charges with the distance be-
| tween Memphis and Kansas City in
tervening, 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 off
GERS; and Oh former occasions | have
branded such charges In such terms
| (if there had been proper military
courage to back up ali insult), a.
afforded ample opportunity to my
assailants.
now propose to offer the same
opportunity to Gen. Hammond, tc
whom ! desire to address myself il
plain and uumistakabie terms, no
stronger than the imputation de.
serves, but SO plain that his under
standing of my meaning and purpose
cannot be at fault He is a liar, &
can use no other language to one S,
base,) cowardly puppy. and I
scoundrel. If he owns the title o
general in the federal army he dis
graces it; and if I have anything lik,
justice and fair dealing at the hands
of the journal that published his un
provoked and wanton outrage upol
me, this brand of liar, coward ant
scoundrel, will spread as far as hi
slander and live longer. That b,
may be assured of my Willingness t,
hear from him, he is notified that
letter addressed to me at Memphi
will meet with attention.
n. b. FORREST.