The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-11-20

Their, that our country stands differently
abroad in the estimation of European and
Eastern nations from what it did a quarter of
O century ago. An American citizen is regard
ed in q different light from the American citi-
zen of a quarter ola century ago. Atthat time
1t was believed we had no Nation-it was
merely a confederation of States tied together
by n rope of sand, and would give way upon
the slightest friction. They have found it was
a mistake. They know We have now a Ma
ton; that we are Nation of strong and intel
ligent and brave people, capable of judging
and knowing our rights, and determined on
all occasions to maintain them against either
domestic or foreign foes, and that Is the re-
ception you, a Nation, have received
through me whilst was abroad
MEETING OF THE ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.
The reception given by the Society Of the
Army Of the Tennessee to Gen. Grant took
place this evening at Haverly's Theater.
The auditorium, the largest in the city, was
| beautifully decorated with flags, festoOns OF
| flowers and wreaths. The immense build
| ing was filed to its utmost capacity with an
audience which, upon arrival OF Gen. Grant
and staff, broke into hearty applause. Upon
| the stage were seated many OF his prominent
officers, including Gems. Sherman and Sher-
idan. Gov. Cullom, Mayor Harrison and
| other dignitaries were also present.
Gov. Cullom made some Introductory re-
| marks, after which Judge Gresham delivered
| the annual address. Gen. Grant was then
| called for, and proceeded to read the follow
| ing address from manuscript:
After an absence of several years from the
gatherings of the Society of the Army of the
| Tennessee, it affords me heartfelt pleasure to
be again with you, my earliest comrades IN
| arms in a great conflict for Nationality and
the Union of all States under one free and al
| ways-t to- be maintained Government. In my
long absence from the country have had q
most favorable opportunity for seeing and
| comparing in my own mind our institutions
| with those of Asia-comparing our resources,
| developed and dormant, the capacity and en-
| a1cv of tIrr nnTllp nnhOl6lnO the
ment and developing its resources with most
| of the civilized people of the world. Every
where, from England to Japan, from Russia
| TO Spain and Portugal-we are understood,
| our resources highly appreciated, and the
| skill, energy and intelligence of the citi-
zens recognized. My receptions have been
| your receptions. They have been everywhere
| a kind Acknowledgements that the United
| States is q Nation-a strong, independent ana
free Nation, composed OF strong, brave ana
| intelligent people, capable OF Judging their
rights and ready to maintain them ut all
| hazards. This is a nOn-p partisan association,
but composed of men who are united in de-
termination that no foe, domestic or foreign,
shall interfere between US and the mainte-
nance of our grand and free enlightened insti-
buttons and the unity of all the states The
area of our country, its fertility, the energy
and resources of our people, with the sparsity
of our population compared to the area, post
pones the day for generations to come when
our descendants will have to consider the
| question how our soil will support them, how
the most can be produced to support human
life without reference to the taste or desires of
the people, and when but few can eX-
ercise the privilege of the plain luxury
| of selecting the articles OF food they
| will eat the quantity and quality OF clothing
| they wear but will remain the abundant
home of all who possess energy and strength
and make good use of them, if we remain true
| to ourselves. Such country Is one TO be
proud of. am proud OF it-proud that am
an American citizen. Every citlZen-NOrth,
South, East and WeSt-enlOyS common her
itage and should feel an equal pride. am glad
these society meetings keep up their exist"
ence so long after the events which in a sense
they commemorate have passed away. They
do not serve to keep up sectional feeling or
| bitterness toward our late foe, but they do
keep up the feeling that we are Nation, and
that it must be preserved one
and and indivisibIe. we feel and maintain
that those who fought, and fought bravely on
the opposite side from us, have equal claims
with ourselves in the blessings of our great
and common country We claim for them the
right to travel all over this broad land and Sc
lect where they please the right to settle, be-
come citizens and enjoy their political and
religious convictions free from moleStatlOn OF
ostraciSm, either on account OF them or then
connection with the past. We ask nothing
more for ourselves, and would rejoice to see
them become powerful rivals in the develop
ment of our great resources, in the acqulsl-
ton of all that should be desirable in this lie
and in patriotism and in love OF country,
lApplause.l
There was a song and then another sur
prise in the presentation OF an elegant SIR
banner to the society. 1t was presented in
an eloquent speech by Gen. Logan, and &C.
cepted on behalf of the society by Gen. Sher-
man in a witty speech. There being calls fol
Sheridan, Pope, Oglesby and mark Twain, y
those gentlemen responded, the exercises
lasting until a late hour. Then the tattoo
and adjournment until tomorrow.