Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-06

/ ant Marshal sam Parrish, and other Off
/ Gers Of the organization. The gentle
! men were escorted to the main stand
where, in accordance with the pro-
gramme and invitations, General For
( rest, General Pillow and Hon. Casey
Young were expected TO address tae
/ cOiOred people.
THE EXERCISES
/ were opened by President Henley, who
said:
/ GENTLEMEE-As representatives o.
/ the Union, OF which we are members,
we come out to join you as the repre-
| sentativcs OF the people. We are glad 70
/ see you here, for We are come not TO dis
/ cuss or to take part in politics, but to
pull down the political and to bring
about peace, Joy and union. Applause.
! When that is done there viii be mighty
shout. TCheers I L hope all who are
here to-day will DC pleased, aud can say
when they return to their homes, God
tlss the 2Ole-Besrers! Immense ap-
pause I [ viii now introduce to you
Brother @. w. Lewis, Of the POle-Bear-
! ers, vino will read my
ADDRESS OF WELCOME,
G. W. Lewis then read the welcome
address, as follows:
MISUNDERSTANDING friends of the
! city of Memphis and Shelby county, it
affIrds us great pleasure on this auspi-
ciOus day TO greet you one and all
with heartfelt respect, and bid each OF
you, gentlemen, an aft ctiOnate well
come. We sincerely thank you, hon
Ored sirs, for your presence on this mo-
| mentous and memorable occasion. Let
US assure you, gentlemen I speak for
my people), that We feel cause for re-
newed encouragement, and entertain a
new and well. grounded hope for our fu-
ture success. When we remember that
this sacred dayWe have assembled to COn-
memOrate is sauctiried ard made dear
to the heart Of every true citizen of this
great commonwealth by the baptism OF
American liberty sealed by the blood of
their fithers in 1875, we earnestly pray
that our future generations may proud
ly recall this suspicious period as the
moment in which fraterDal disc0rd has
taken its leave forever from the manly
and intelligent hearts of united AmeTi-
can brotherhood, resolved that peace and
fOrbearance. that's stays the angry passions
OF men, shall prevail hencefOrward from
one end Of this great land OF ours to the
other. in which, through Gods provi-
dence, our cOlOred race may be permit
ted to enjoy = becoming and permanent
part. In our hearC OF hearts, gentle
men, we again reiteTate our grateful
thanks for the kind consideration you
manifest, in your presence, with our
people to-day, which we will endeavOr
to appreciate in the future and for which
We thank each Of you, gentlemen, at
this time. Applause.
The reading OF the ABOVE address was
frequently appiauded, AID at its conclu-
sion the band played quick air.
AN OFFERING OF PEACE.
President Henley then said: General
Forrest, allow me to introduce 10 you
Miss Lou Lewis, who, as the representa-
tive Of the cOlOred ladies, will present
you with 3 bouquet to assure you OF the
sincerity they entertain for the objects
Of this occasion Icheers aud rs al offer
ing Of peace"
Lou Lewis then advanced TO where
General Forrest was standing ard pre-
scented the bouquet with the following
remarks:
mir. Forrest, allow me to present you
this bouquet as q token of reconciliation
aud an Offering Of peace and good will"
[ADplause.l
RESPONSE OF GENERAL FORREST.
General Forrest received the bouquet,
and in response said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-I accept
the flowers as = mementO of TeCOnciiia-
ton between the white and cOlOred
races Of the southern States. L accept
it more particularly as it comes from a
colOred lady, Tor if there is any one Oh
Gods earth who loves the ladies be-
lieve il is myself. Immense applause
and laughter This day is day that is
proud to me, having occupied the posi-
ton that l did for the past twelve years,
and been misunderstood by your race.
This is the frat opportunity have had
during that time to say that l am your
friend. [ am here a representative OF
the southern people, one more slandered
and maiigned than any man in the na-
ton. l will say to you and to the cOlOred
race that the men VINO bore arms and
followed tha flag of the COnfedeTacy are,
with very few exceptions, your friends
have an opportunity Of saying what
have always felt-that am your friend,
for my Interests are your interests, and
your interests are my interests, We
were born on the same soil, breathe the
same air, and live in the same land.
Why, then, can We not live as brothers?
/ will say that when the war broke out
| felt it my duty to stand by my people.
When the time came | did the best |
could, and I don't believe / tiickered. l
came here with the jeers of some white
people, who think that | am doing
wrong. l believe that L can exert some
Influence, and do much to assist the pe0-
pie in strengthening fraterDGl relations,
and shall do ali in my power to bring
about peace. II has always been my
NOTICE to elevate every man-to depress
none. Applause. l want to elevate
you to take positions in law offices, in
stores, on farms, and wherever you are
capable o. going. 1 have not said any
thing ABOUT politics to-day. dOn'tpro-
pose 30 say anything about politics. You
have right to elect whom you please;
vote for the man you think best, and
think, when that is done, that you and
are freemen, Do as you consider right
and honest in electing men for office. L
did not come here to make you long
speech, although Invited to GO so by you.
l am not much OF speaker, and my
business prevented me from preparing
myself. l came to meet you as
friends, and welcome you to the
white people. l want you
to come nearer to US. When | can serve
you will do so. We have but one flag,
one country; let US stand together, We
may differ IN color, bat not in senti-
ment. Use your best Judgment in Sc
lecting men for Office and vote as you
think right. Many things have been
said about me which are wrong, and
which white and black persons here,
who stood by me through the war,
can contradict. Ihave been in the heat
OF battle when colOred men, asked
me to protect them. | have placed my
self between them and the bullets Of my
men, and told them they should be kept
unframed. Go to work, be industrious,
live honestly and act truly, and when
you are oppressed I'll coma to your "a
lief. thank you, ladies' and gentle
men, for this opportunity you have af-
fOrded noe to De with you, and TO assure
you that / am with you in heart and in
hand. Prolonged applause.
The POle-Bearars' band then played a
piece, at the conclusion of which Presi,
dent Henley introduced General Gideon
J. Pillow who spoke as follows:
GENERAL Pillows SPEECH.
Mr.. Chairman, and Pr sident and Members of
the Order OF fOlJ-Bearer5;
BY your special invitstioD, published
in toe APPEAL, aud Inviting me to be
present at your celebration OF the Fourth
Of July, and to address you such counsel
and advice rs We might think best cal