The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-09-18

|LG-s~t =
of the Union army-ior9 presume do
not on this occasion address any that be-
long to my own army-I must ackno WI
edge that / am here captured man
Laughter and applause. / came here
as little expecting to makea speech as |
did expecting TO make balloon ascen-
sion in the presence of this assemblage
Laughter I came here expecting to
hear my old division commander General
John B Gordon AS be is not here | GER
tainly do not have the presumption to
suppose for an instant tbat l can fiji his
place. / had as we'll attempt to gil the
place of Henry Clay. Ihopeithe soldiers
here present will excuse meif seem to
have an exaggerated opinion of that dis
tinguished man, but having had the honor
toserve under him, and knowing his ca
pacity, knowing his bravery, knowing his
honor, l believe that the Union soldiers
whom I meet here will understand me
when Tsay | appreciate the honor of that
distinguished gentleman, and feel that !
am not worthy toappear nhis stead, or
attempt to respond in his behalf to the
distinguished gentleman who has justad-
dressed you ASH said, lam a captured
man. fought this matter when it was
mentioned by these friends, and tried by
every possible plan to avoid appearing in
this capacity, but it was in vain, and lest
some would think it was because Of an
unk;ndly feeling toward this meeting that
/ hesitatec to respond, / appear before
you. 1t Is very true, fellow citizens and
soldiers, that perhaps many of you have
met me, in days that are gone, upon the
field OF battle. There is no doubt but
that YOU have met bfaver soldiers, but
doubtless you have met me upon several
occasions. 1 had the honor (if you will
allow the use of that expression) to serve
in the Stonewall Brigade from the begin
ming to the end of its career. had the
honor to serve with Stonewall Jackson, a
man of whom perhaps some of you have
heard. Great laughter Notwithstand
ing that fact, do say for myself, and !
believe / can say as a representative Of
my own men who served in that COM
mand, that we do not cherish that bitter
ness of feeling which many of the people
OF the North are apt to imagine. APP
,plause Bitterness of feeling with me
is past. went into the war on principle.
Personal feeling had nothing to do in the
matter, or, If it did, six months had not
passed until could take Union soldier
by the hand, though we fought to the Bit
ter end; though we contended for priuci
plies, and many principles for which we
contended were settled definitely by the
war, yet as men we have right to cur
Opinions. The war is at an end, and, SO
far as it's bitterness is concerned, ittwill
soonbe forgotten. [Great applause /
came here, not expecting to speak, but |
came here expecting to find a reunion of
the armies of the North reunion in
which ID rebel would hardly be permitted
10 join without numerous apologies
Great langhter.l Bat find it very diff
ferent / had scarcely arrived in your
city befofe I was taken by the hand and
given to understand that this was my re-
union as wen as yours. Renewed laugh
tie and applause .Ei,f ,i!'l
Ibelieve now that the people of the
North are ready to do what / feel ready to
doAto 60 forward to build up the pros
perity OF our country again, and inp per
petuating the principles of this American
Government, the noblest Government
upon when the sun ever shone. lam,
for one man, willing to do my utmost
[ Applause e 2 9,.a o7z &
! Lad the privilege Of hearing the letter
read from my distinguished old COM
mander, General John b. Gordon, who is
not here. and 1t has certainly supported
| me in the few remarks that | have attemp-
ted to make. .@ eH 81 - z