Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-19
OVER THE DEPARTED.
Meeting Of the Johnson Memorial
Committee.
Ex-senator Fowler Appointed to De-
liver the EulOgy.
A SUBJ Committee to Determine Time
and Place.

suitable place and day for appropriately
celebrating the Obsequies of the late ex-
| President, Andrew johnson, held a NEE =
! ing in the Criminal Court room at 3 o'clock
| yesterday afternoon. The following named
| gentlemen were present:
ID. Burns, Chairman; p. Walsh, Edward
III. East, Robert Miller, j. Alex Campbell,
/ WillOughby Williams, A. s. COlyaT, Geo.
! j. Stubbleheld, John 7. White, w. c..
Brien, j. B. Clemens, John G. Burch, VIM.
| III. Morrow, Hugh McGayock, Joseph 5.
| Fowler, Alex Joseph, all Of Davidson.
Col Thomas BOyerS, john l.. SafaFFans,
| OF Sumner county, and Jas. Andrews
and James Orr, Of Maury, were also in at
| tendance.
NJ. Burns, Esq, chairman Of the commit
tee, called the meeting to order, and eK-
planned lis object by saying:
REMARKS OF THE CHAIRMAN.
A meeting OF the citizens of Nashville
was held in this room on the evening of
the 3lst Of July, on hearing Of the death Of
| Senator Johnson, eX-President of the
United States.
That meeting appointed a committee Of
gentlemen from various counties o. Middle
| Tennessee, to take measures fOrpaying due
reverence 10 the memory of the illustrious
statesman. They left it TO the other Divisions
Of the State 10 testify their sorrow in such a
manner as their sense of propriety might
| dictate. Through the Partially Of my
| fellOw-citiTens l WAS appointed Chairman
Of the committee. In view of that highly
| esteemed honor and the duties deyOlving
upon me, have called the committee to-
| gether this afternoon TO discharge their
mOuTnfal duty. 1t is for you, gentlemen,
| TO discharge your obligation to the seEti-
ments Of reverence in which the deceased
| was held and in a manner worthy Of the
earnest character and the eminent services
| he rendered the Republic.
Gentlemen of the committee, may
| claim your indulgence whilst l give ex-
| preston TO some sentiments long aud fer
| vently entertained for the illustrious sub
jet of this meeting For a quarter Of q
century have been personally AID inti-
| mately acquainted with the deceased. 1t
was my fortune to know him wheR clad in
the robes Of Office, and equally we'll in the
| peaceful walks Of private life. Before the
| storms Of war had darkeued our skies and
blasted our prosperity, he was my friend.
After the whole land vas walked in the ter
rible struggle by the thundsrs of battle,
and the sword was drinking up the bravest
| blood of the Republic, il was my good for.
| tune to be near him and enjoy his conf
| dence. After the dreadful tempest mad
| passed aud blasted our fairest fields, after he
had been borne by the suffrage Of the people
10 his proud position, l was brought into
official relation with him. / had the Op-
pOrtunity, and certainly think | under
stood the character Of the mau.
T~ra.1ar. III r,1.aaap Of HE Tra-faH 1ff.1
amid all the vicissitudes of fortune, he was
alWay the same kind friend, the same
calm, earnest, patriotic, wise statesman,
de was always the advocate Of the humble
and lOwly-thsir champion in sunshine aud
adversely.
At the close Of cur unhappy conflict it
was my fortune TO have committed to my
charge great public and corporate interests.
The most important railroads in the State
were under my charge. l was forced into
official relations with the executive Of the
United 81 aJes, then Mr.. johnson. 70 this
question he brought his earnest, practical
statemanship TO bear IN the face of strong
political and sectional prejudice. lie beheld
The South undOne. its production destroyed,
its commerce aHnihi.aJed and its whole so
cial and industrial system overthTOwn. He
at once sought 20 remedy the evil and win
back his estTaug5d cO8utTymen to happi-
less, duty and loyalty to The nation. He
ordered the Secretary OF War to sell The
rolling stock of the United States to the
railroads Of the South on reasonable terms.
This was done, aud the entire railroad sys-
teIn Of the South was again set in motion
through bis wise and generous policy, 1t
was productive Cf incalculable advantages
10 the South, and was one great cause Of
TegeneTating production and stimulating
industry. With these advantages, the
sting OF defeat was mitigated and the bless
iugs Of peace and goodwill promoted.
There were many interesting incidents
in our intercourse that will illustrate the
character Of this remarkable man. l was
often called upon 10 differ with him in
reference to these important matters. Often
l became excited in the discussion and re-
piled with evident warmth. He never re-
taliated. but could in a moment perceive
that his tender and magnanimous spirit
fOTgaTe all. There was under his some
times hard exterior 4 vein of tenderness
aud sympathy that never failed TO assert
itself
In my long intercourse with this man in
political and business relations, l can
affirm in the spirit Of one Of highlands
greatest poets, AN honest man is the no
blest work of God" and that Andrew
johnson was an honest man. No man has
ever assailed the spOtless character Of his
reputation. Il is a treasure dear 10 every
son OF the State AM to every child who
must war with pOye y 10 attain position.
1t is neitder my desire nor purpose to
detain the meeting longer over this sad be-
reavement the people of Tennessee and the /
whole Union are called upOn to mourn. 1t
is with heartfelt sorrow list ! bid farewell
forever to my friend of a generation Of men,
and through ali age of action and conflict.
To the generous and just judgement of
pOsterity we commit his memory, and bury
forever with his remains all bitter aud !
burning animosities.
TIE COMMITTEE TAKEs ACTION.
The chair announced that they were !
ready 10 proceed with the business before |
them, and the reporters present were made |
secretaries of the meeting.
Col. BOyers moved the appointment Of a /
Committee to select an orator for the Occs-
sion. The motion prevailed aut the fol-
lowing were appointed as such committee:
Thomas Boyers, j. p. White, WillOughby
Williams, \. S. Colyar, John e. Burch,
James Andrews, john Alexander Campbell
and George !. Stubbleiield.
While the committee had retired Hon.
Joseph ). Fowler presented a eulOgistic
letter from e.. Z. Wright, Of Gallalin.
The letter was read by the Secretary, re-
ceivad. and ordered filed.
The committee appointed to select an
orator now returned and reported that from
a list OF distinguished speakers they had
chosen the Hon. Joseph 5. Fowler to de-
liver the eulOgy over the departed states
man. The choice Of the committee was
ratified by the meeting.
Hon. Edward Ii. East moved the appoint
ment of a committee to select day and
make all The necessary arrangements con-
earninq the ceremonies. Agreed 10, and
the following committee appointed: Ed
ward II. East, WillOUgh6y Williams, Jas.
Andrews, s.. 5. COlyaT, J. a. Campbell, w.
G.. Brien, W. II. Morrow, John G. Burch,
q. j, Stubbleheld, Thomas BOyers, j. 3.
Clemens, j. p. White, p. Walsh, Robert |
Miller, and Alex. Joseph. The chairman
d the meeting was afterwards added to the
committee.
Col. Burch moved that al the members !
If this general committee be requested to
axe such steps in their various counties as
hey may think necessary 10 render i'm
losing the proposed funeral Obsequies Of
he deceased eX-PreSident Of the United ,
states and ex-senator Of the State Of Ten /
lessee. The motion was adopted.
After the adjournment Of the main COM !