Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-16
GENEKAL RATES ORATIaN.

The hall of the House of Representatives
| was fairly packed to its entire capacity with
ladies and gentlemen last night, the occasion
of the delivery of the Grafton of General w.
B. Bate.
After the Mechanics band had played an
air General w. B. Bate was introduced to
the audience amidst enthusiastic applause
and said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND BRoTHERs OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VETERANS OF
THE MEXICAN WAR-This day has been set
apart under the rules of its organization for
the meeting of our association at this place,
and have been appointed its humble organ
to address you. The joy OF our greeting Is
saddened by the reflection that many familiar
faces have disappeared since our last meeting,
ard that death is still thlnniDg our ranks,
closing up while we advance, as in our con-
hicts with the foe. Our beautiful city has
been SELECTED as the place of our meeting,
and ftly for the hospitality of its citizens
ard for its associations with the pioneer set
Elements OF the South and West, and the
military operations for their defense. At
this place General Jackson collected and
organized volunteers for the defense of our
southern borders against the attacks OF the
Indians and iron this place the Tennessee
volunteers marched under Jackson, Carroll
and Coffee 10 the defense of New Orleans
from the invasion by the British army. Pho
neers left here for settlement in
Texas, then a Territory of Mexico; and
at its invasion by the Mexican army,
under General Santa Anna, General Sam
Houston, a Tennesseap, and former resident
of this place, was commander-in-chief of its
army of defense, composed largely of pio-
peers from Tennessee. By the capture of
Santa Anna and the destruction of his army,
al the battle OF San Jacipto, the independ-
ence of Texas was virtually secured, aEd it
was shortly after declared by the government
of the United States and the leading powers
of Europe. The independence OF Texas was
soon followed by Its annexation to the
United States with its western boundary ex-
tending to the Rio Grande. The annexation
OF Texas TO the United States was resisted by
Mexico as a cause of war, and she organized
military PREPARATIONS for Its invasion. Al
Tow me, my former fellow soldiers, 10 recall
some of the leading operations OF the war
that ensued, and were conducted with 50
much honor and glory TO our armies, and in
its results has added so much wealth and
power to our country; and 4 hope you will
pardon me for any expression that might
seem 10 complain of determinations by our
country in rewarding her soldiers by neglect
ing those of the Mexican war. To all the
propositions by the United States to Mexico
for settling the western boundaries OF Texas
by negotiation, Mexico insisted upon the
claim 10 the whole territory of Texas, and
concentrated her armies on the Rio Grande
for its invasion. General Taylor was ordered
by our government 10 occupy the country
west of the Nueces 10 the Rio GraDde, and
to repel such invasion. With an army that
had been increased to about 1000 men by
Texan volunteers and marines from our
navy, General Taylor advanced up the Rio
Grande, and was confronted at Palo Alto by
the Mexican general, Arista, with force Of
5000 men. The Mexican command was
driven frem the field, and early next MORN
ing General Taylor resumed his march 10
Fort Brown. In the evening he was again
engaged by the Mexican army at Resaca de