Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-26
speeial to The Union and American

Ouiiu NOlu JUG 0ullu, S ne Is lal1llldfly
and aflectiOnately known in Davidson and
Sumner) trod once more his native heath,
after an absence Of over half century, and
met with such a reception as has been ac-
corded to but few men in Tennessee. For
years it has been the wish of the people
that Judge Guild should visit US
and renew his youth among the sons and
grandsOns Of his boyhOods companions
not one Of whom, as stated by him to-day,
remains alive. Such visit was arranged
for two years ago, and extensive prepara-
tiOns were made 10 extend him a genuine
old time welcome, but death in his fam
lily compelled pOstponement of the affair.
To-day, however, everything was propi-
tiOus, and the gathering proved to be one
of the most unique and interesting ever
held in this section Of the State.
About one thousand persons, of both
sexes and all ages and conditions in life,
were present. They gathered here from
every nook and corner of the county, and
Montgomery, too, was represented by many
Of the best citizens and their families. On
all sides heard talk Of the hard times, yet
it was difficult to believe. after glance
at the preparations for the barbecue, the
quality and superabundance of the viands,
that the croakers were not in the majority.
Judge Guild was introduced to the as
semblage by Col. G. A. Henry, of Clarl1s-
vile, in few remarks peculiarly appropri-
ate to the occasion, and after the applause
had subsidized, spoke as follows:
Judge Guilds Address
Ladies 0ld Gentlemen OF Houston County:
Some two years ago was honored with
an invitation to visit my home, and renew
an acquaintance that had nearly become
extinct by the tooth of time, which invita-
tion was gratefully accepted, but by family
afflictiOn, / was then prevented from per
forming that pleasant duty. l this day
come in your midst 10 redeem thai pledge,
and feel myself hOnOred By the presence of
the fair daughters and the chivalry Of the
county Of Houston. / return after an all
sence Of upwards Of sixty years, again TO
tread my native heath, 10 greet nv fellow
citizens, to drink again of It's limpid fOun-
tains, and to breathe my native mountain
air. While l deeply feel the honor Of the
occasion, the presence Of so much beauty
and worth in this large assemblage, intended
as a compliment to one Of her native sons.
the joy of my heart is saddened when my
anxious eye has surveyed this large assem-
bly, and has failed TO find present any OF
the old pioneers, be they sires OF matrOns,
that once occupied this high, healthy and
beautiful region; who had bid farewell TO
their native homes, encountered tie priva-
tiOns Of settling a new country, and who
had pushed the standard Of civilization into
this section which then fOrlned the western
border Of our State. | have looked in
vain for the McMillans, the Rush
ings, the Edwards's, the HOrnbergers, the
Nichols, the BrighanIs, the Guilds, the
Gorings, the McDOnaldS, and other hon
ored names forming this settlement. They
have been cut down by the scythe Of time,
and rest under the clOd Of the valley: their
memories I'VE cherish and honor. From
this ancient stock there has terminated a
bold, honest and hardy race, who bear the
names Of their parents, exemplfying their
virtues, many of whom are present this
day, representing that noble ancestry. The
old stock has disappeared; not one Of them
survives who were living sixty years ago,
when left the county to seek my fortunes
elsewhere. Those who knew me then. on
whose hOspitable boards licked their salt,
and broke their bread, and often slept upon
their pallets, my playmates and associates
Of those happy days, have all disappeared:
aff1rar H.
abide in lands unknown. They know me
no more, and elsewhere we are informed.
that the places that know us now, will soon
know us no more for ever. These refec-
tiOns have a tendency to sadden our
hearts.
''FOr feel like one who treads alone,
Some banquet hall deserted,
Whose lights have fed, whose garlands dead,
And all but me departed"
But this sadness is relieved by the pres
ence Of this assemblage of noble matrons,
and beautiful girls as pretty as the
mountain pink, and the gallant men
who have terminated from this ancient.
hunOred stock, and who have turned out
this day and greeted me, as one Of their na-
tive sons. L come among you not to make
political speech, but 10 pay my respects and
extend the right hand of fellowship to
Houston and its citizens. What l may say
will be in rambling, desultOry manner,
rather in the style Ofshelling the woods, in
tending to say nothing but what is pleasant
anu agreeable, though founded in the his
tory Of the country. and the times we live
in. Then it may be safely asked, "WhO
has been here since have been gone9"
Many have gone and come, many and
at haula haart fhn fhaf
period: since then the war of 1872 with
Great Britain, has been fought and won.
From population of about ten milliOns,we
now numIer about forty millions; from the
original thirteen States, we now num-
her thiity-seven The military chieftain
and statesman, Gen. Sam Houston, in
whose honor this county was named, that
gallant Chieftain who had been schoOled in
the camp of our Jackson, led the patriot
band Of Texans against Santa Anna and
his Mexican sOldieTy. and by .he victory of
San JacintO revenged the death and vindi-
Gated the names of CrOckett, Travis and
others who had fallen at the Alamo, and
the other battlefields OF that resolution.
The result Oftbat glorious victory establish
ed the independence Ofthe Texan Republic.
In 1916 Sam Houston bore upon his back
this great empire, and united the Lone star
as one Of the States Of this Union, forming
our glorious constellation of States. Dur
ing this period the wars with the Indians
have been prosecuted, and their territory
within the respective States has been Sc
cured to those States, and they provided
with homes in the far West. The war
with Mexico has been fought and the
golden sands Of California have been added
to the Union. Our narrow settlements
bordering on the Atlantic and running
north to the lakes, have been in an Imex-