The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-08-19
rHR BALM or a THOUSAND FLOW
kRS PLATFORM.


We have been asked TO give the origin of
the balm of a thousand flowers Forrest
Pillow, white and black platform, as con-
cocted in Memphis. Rsconellianon and
centenplalism and FouTth-of-July- all the
year-round is the present spasmodic and
sporadic affiiction of the country. and the
color hue, where blacks greatly outnumber
whites, or where they have formed an alh
ance with a white mcb, more terrible than
themselves, is to be forever obliterated.
Lamar has gone into this business, and il
seems that Gems. Pillow and Forrest gave
paternity To the blessed movement and
that the two distinguished generals occu-
pied the stand on some negro festal ocea-
sion, when one Henly, colored, approaching
Gen. Forrest, said:
General, allow me to introduce to you
Miss Lou Lewis, who, as a representative of
the colored ladies, will present you with n
bouquet. to assure you of the sincerity they
entertain for the objects of this occasion
cheers and as an offering of peace"
Lou Lewis then advanced to where Gen.
Forrest was standing and presented the
bouquet, with the following remarks:
"Mr. Forrest, allow me to present you
this bouquet as token of reconciliation
and aa offering of peace and good will. ("
[Applause.
Gen. Forrest received the bouquet and,
in response, said: 5iEr -n
Ladies and GeRtteRea-I accept the
flowers as momento OF reconciliation be-
tween the white and colored races of the
Southern States. | accept it more particu-
larly as it comes from a colored lady, for il
there is any one on Gods earth who loves
the ladies it is myself. Qmmense applause
and laughter.) 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. have
been in the heat of battle when colored
men asked me to protect them. / have
placed myself between them and the bull
lets of my men, and told them they should
be kept unharmed.- Go to work, be indus.
trious, live honestly, and act truly, and
when you are oppressed, l come to your re-
lief.n
Now that is supposed to have settled the
whole business. The two races will here
after act together in political contests; the
carpetbagger is to be exiled; the shape Of
cuffee's head is to be changed; his bump of
credulityis to be fattcned out and his crani-
um elongated the worlds history.as it affects
this race for four thousand years, is to be
pronounced lie, and two distinct races, as
never happened before, since history doffed
the shadowy robes of dim tradition and fable,
are to be merged into one and perfect unity
and peace and homogeneity and prosperity
will be begotten. The "balm of f-a-thou-
sand-howers " platform may beguile idle,
innocent and unthinking white and black
mobs for time, and invest good men with
office, and, since this is the purpose of
Generals Forrest and Pillow, patriotism
and common sense applaud their deeds,
and, catching the odor of that incense
which Miss Lou Lewis (colored) offered up
on the altar of the country's peace, We, too,
catch the loud refrain, and would bid
earth, air and ocean resound with the loud
acclaim ascribing to General Forrest
and Miss Lou the sublimest, patriotic i'm.
pulses, and to Gen. Pillow, on this occa
sion, portentous modesty and wisdom.