Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-23
NEMPElIS APPEAL
JUNE %, 1875.
EENEEALN.P. RANAs.

GENERAL Mp. BsNI2s.
This distinguished gentleman will
resch this city this evening, and will no
doubt lie received by our citizens with
that c5rdislity and respect due his ex-
allied character. General Banks comes
fresh from the New York Masonic de-
moustration, where there were thirty
thousand Masons in procession, and from
the Bunker Hill celebTstion, attended by
three hundred thousapd people. In view
OF the vast multitudes which General
Banks has witnessed, the splendid pa
geants. the magnificent psrsdes, and
the fervid enthusiasm Of the people, his
reception here may appear tame, dull and
lifeIess. But II we cannot demonstrate
our appreciation aud high admiration Of
his character in numbers, we can con-
vince him that southern people have
warm hearts and hospitable homes.
General Banks is worthy Of all the at
tention that can be lavished upon him.
He is one Of the sbIest statesmen Of the
age. He has long been in pub
lie life, and his character is
without stain OF blemisb. General
Banks was born in Massachusetts, on the
thirtieth Of January, 1916, and born
without q silver spOOn.in his mouth. DE
worked his way up to greatness alone
by his ability and energy. He started
in life al work in 8 cotton factory, then
became a machinist. Next he won
ranutatiou as an actor in an amateur
dramatic company. Finally his great
abilities drew him into politics, and
there sre but few men living in the
United States who have been more con-
spieuous during the last thirty years.
General Banks was originallya Demo
crst, and received an appointment as
Boston customhouse officer from James
X. Polk. In 1851 he was elected 10 the
Massachusetts legislature, and then
speaker OF the house. In 1853
he was elected president of the
convention called to revise the
constitution OF Massachusetts. In
1853 ne was also elected to congress, and
after a contest Of near two months was
elected speaker of the house Of repre-
sentatives. He served in congress four
yesrs, and in 1857 was elected governor
of Massachusetts,. He is regarded as
one OF the finest presiding officers in the
United States. General Banks was
brave and gallant soldier during the late
war, and we presume no man is more
ready 10 pay a tribute to the military
genius OF StOnewall Jackson. General
Banks was a Republican at the close Of
the war, but he could not favor the ex-
treme views Of the Radicals toward the
south, and the cOuuptions Of the admin
istraton; and in 1872 he supported Hor-
ace Greeley for President, In NOvem-
Der last General Banks was again elect
ed to congress, and his name is prOmi-
nently mentioned for speaker. Should
the Democrats fail to unite on either
Cox, Wood, Kerr, or Randall, it is
highly probable thai General Banks
will be selected as the compromise can
didate. The south would have no oh
lection to this, as they delight to honor
such men as General Banks. He
is a, patriot who believes
that the war is indeed ended, and that
the bitterness which it engendered
should be buried out Of sight forever. In
his speech on Wednesday last, lat Boston,
General Banks said: decentralization and
peace are indispensable to the compile
ton Of our destiny, without this the adj
vantsges Of liberty, the sacrifices Of war,
the marvels Of invention, the triumphs
Of industry, the treasures Of earth and
sea are unavailing. Peace is not the
offspring of force. 1t must exist in the
hearts of the people, in the protection Of
the rights of others, and the undisturbed
encouragement OF our own. This We
desire, and for it we labor to the end"
This is the kind of talk which draws the
north and south closer together. The
patriotic words of General Banks find
hearty response in the hearts of the peo.
pie whom he is to honor VITA his pre-,
ence. The people of Memphis, Of Ten
nessee, and the whole south, will take |
him by the hand and say we join you in |
looking to the glorious future which |
lies before usj let the only contest be-
tween the two sections be as to which /
can do most to advance the prosperity, |
happiness and honor Of our common |
country. There is hope for the country.
The patriotic demonstration in Massa-
chusetts, in which General Banks acted
30 conspicuous part, shows that the
hearts Of the people are sound. By sad
and bitter experience the people of the
north and south have been taught the |
delusion and folly of abandoning the
virtues, the principles, the constitution
81 practices and teachings of our fathers.
Everywhere, in the north, the south, /
the east and west, the people are clam
oring for peace. They are determined |
to put an end to strife, usurpstion and |
oppression, and to compel their rulers |
and representatives to return TO and |
practice those virtues and principles Of |
other days, and by the abandonment OF
which suffering and distress, enmity !
and hate, disgrace and shame have been |