Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-20
From fde Memphis Appeal, April ]
DECORATION DAY.
The 22d Day OF May the Day-Ex-
FederaIs Invited 10 Participate
FraLeFufzagTgu

The 22d Day OF May the Day-Ex.
FederaIs Invited 10 Participate
FraIeFnfzatiOn.
At q meeting Of ex-Csnfederate officers
and soldiers, last evening, called for the
purpose Of making arrangements to assist
the Ladies Monumental Association IN
decorating the Confederate graves at Elm
wood, large number were present. Gen.
q. W. Gordon was called to the chair, and
Maj. ". II. Rhea made secretary. On
motion Of Col. Galloway, of the ApDsdl,
May - was fixed as the day for the decora-
tiOn Of the graves Of Confederate soldiers.
A committee was appointed to select an
orator.
Mai Goodman presented and read the
following letter, which fully explains ITSELF
"MEAIPHIs, April II, 1S7j.-Dear Good
man: notice a call in the morning papers
for a meeting TO arrange for assisting the
Ladies' Monumental Association in the
decoration Of the Confederate graves at
ElmwOOd, signed by yourself and other
friends. The call also says: All are invi-
ted to participate who desire TO do So
was, as you and Others well know, a Fed
eral officer during the earlier part Of the
war, until April, 1868, and made no secret
Of it when 1 came TO Memphis in that
wear. as | believed then, rs now. / was act
ing only as duty called me. That you and
thousands Of others thought and acted diff
ferently are no reasons that your comrades
and mine, now lying in their peaceful
graves, having given their Ives for their
convictions Of right, should not Be hOnOIed
in our memories. If you think l would
not be intruding, 1 should be glad to assist
in any way / can, lOUs truly,
II. Z. TONuINSON."
Maj. Goodman stated that he had replied
that they would be pleased to receive Col.
TOmlinsOn's sympathy, as well as his aid
and cooperation in all ceremonies that
they might celebrate. Moreover he told
him that Of all others there was least en-
nifty between soldiers who had fought in
tile Confederate and Federal armies. The
offer Of Col. TCmlinSOn should be accepted.
Mai. ". II. Rhea moved that Col. Tom
linsOn'S letter be cordially received and
made a part Of the proceedings Of the
meeting. The motion was unanimously
adopted.
Attorney General Luke Z. Wright moved
that all Federal soldiers, and ~ others
who so desire, be cordially invited TO par
ticipate in the decoration of the COnfeder-
ate graves. He agreed with Maj. Good
man that no eGmity was cherished between
the men who fought in the Confederate and
Federal armies. The spirit of fellowship
on the part Of Col. TOmlinsOn should be
met with the hand Of appreciation by the
COnfederates. They would do that winch
was good and which would be sanctioned
by the true soldiers in cementing the tel-
lOwship and bridging over the caasm.
Brave soldiers were too magnanimOus to
cherish any enmity or hatred, and be hoped
the motion would be adopted.
Hon. II. Casey Young, member Of Con
GEES elect, seconded Gen. WTight's motion.
Col. s.. e. Galloway, Of the dppegl,
deemed the motion proper, especially in
view Of the fact that the Grand Army Of
Ebe Republic had receded from its former
position. and wished TO have both Federal
and Confederate graves decorated together.
Major VIII. o. WOOdsen. Southern agent
of The Associated Press, stated that at a
recent meeting Of the Federal soldiers in
Chicago TO make preparation for the 6ecO-
ration Of the graves Of their dead, all prom
iuent ex-COuiederate officers and soldiers
man been invited to participate in the cere-
mOnies. This he had noticed in The press
dispatches, and stated the fact, as he did not
think'it had been published here.
The motion Of Gen. Wright was unanl-
m0usly adopted, and the meeting adjourned
subject TO the call of the chairman, Gen. G.
W. Gordon.
The meeting was harmonious and truly
representative. Among the noticeable citli
citizens present were Hon. jefferson Davis,
Gen. Joseph L. Davis, eX-GOv. Isham G..
Harris and Gen. Cotton W. Greene.