Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-07
TIE TWO RACES.
a Remarkable scene at Memphis
on independence Day.
Buryi1g the IIatChet Between White
and ElacIz-tcn- Forrest On the EeE
Era Of Reconciliation.

Buryiag the TIatehet Between White
and BIacI-t5eu. Forrest On the New
Era Of reconciliation.
The great feature OF the Fourth Of July
/ celebration at Memphis was the picnic Of
! the Independent Order Of Pole Bearers
! Cc0I0red), where tie following invited
/ guests were present: Gen. Y. B. Forrest,
/ Gen. Gideon j. Pillow, Col. NJ. &. Gala
! way, Of the Apgedl, Cap. j. Harvey
NTrhes. Of the Ledger. Alderman Henry
&. l5ont, Major Minor AeriWether and Dr..
CLARK. President Henley, Of the Pole
Bearers. op--ued the proceedings with a brief
sneecn. He SAD they had not come to-
gslhar 60 discuss pJlitiCs, but to 'pull down
The political aud bring Sb0ut peace, Joy and
union
An OFFERING OF PEACE,
President Henley then said: "Gcn.
Forrest, allow me TO introduce to you Mss
Lou Lewis, who, as the representative OF
the colored ladies, viii present you with a
bouquet TO assure you Of The sincerity they
entertain for the objects Of this occasion
Tcheers1 and as ar offering Of peace"
Lou Lewis then advanced to where Gen.
| Forrest was standing and presented the
bouquet Wiln the following remarks:
"Mr. Forrest, allow me to present YOU
this bouquet as a token of reconciliation
and an offering OF peace and good will"
Applause
RESPONSE OF GENERAL FORREST.
Gen. Forrest received the bouquet, and
in response said:
Ladies and GentlemeE-I accept the
flowers rs d memenJO of reconciliation be-
tween the white and CUiO1ed races Of the
South eTn States. / accept It more partic-
ularly as il comes from . cO'Ored lady, for
if there is any one in Gods earth who loves
the ladies | believe 10 is myself. Immense
applause and laUahter.I This day is day
That is proud to me, having occupied the
position that ! did for tie past twelve years,
and been misunderstood by yOur race.
This is the FIRST opportunity I have had
during that time 60 say that l am yOTr
friend. / am here representative Of
the Southern people, one more slandered
and maligned than any man in the ma
ton. will say 10 you and 10 the COlOred
race that the men who bore arms and
followed the fac of the CCmiederacy are
with very few exceptions, your friends.
II has ALWAYS been my motto 10 elevate
every B!an-to dePress none. Applause
/ want to elevate you to take positions III
law offices, in stores, on fans, aud wheT-
ever ycu are capable Of going, / don't pro-
nose TO say anything about politics. You
have rig1t to elect whom you please; vote
f,rthe man YOU think best, and ] think,
when that IS done. that you and / are free
mer. Do Is you consider right and honest
m electiug men for office.
Z have been in She heat Of battle when
c5IorcG gnen asked me 10 protect them. l
have placed icy self between them and the
bullets Of my men, and told them they
should be kept unframed. co to work, be
industrious. live honestly and Az truly,
and when ron are oppressed III come TO
,.,,.r relief. ] thank You. ladies' and gentle
men i,7r this opportunity you have afforded
me 10 be with YOU, and TO assure you tGat
! am with YOU in heart and ia hand. Pro-
longed appiau5e.l
&C.. Pillow made an address Of cOnsid-
erabIe IengiI,. in which he gave the c1lo-ei
T,aonls some sage advica. Hon. Casey
Young, who had expected 20 be present
and make q speech, was unable 70 DO So
ON Account Of illness, sent le.JeT, which
was read and well received.
Great enthusiasm MAS manifested by the
colored people throughout the proceedings,
and the patriotic sentiments expressed by
the speakers were frequently applauded.