Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-16
BROOM BRIGADE.
The Handsome Young Ladies Of Mem
phis Wanting to Be Soldiers
Fine.
A Meeting Last Night at Which They
Show Themselves Proficient
in Drill.

Last night the young ladies composing the
Memphis Broom Brigade met at the Cblcka-
saw Guards armory for the purpose Of drill
ing. This new candidate Tor military glory
il composed of the prettiest girls of Memphis,
who are fired by the hope OF being able to
do something to aid the Central Methodist
church. Great speculation has originated
as to the cause Of their adopting the broom
as their chosen weapon. Some people en-
terrain one opinion, some another. An ascetic
classical scholar explains it by saying that
the broom was the mythical instrument with
which Juno used to increase Jupiter's respect
for her, and he saw in this organization a
movement TO bring the men TO their proper
level.
A large attendance at the Chickasaw
armory last night was evidence of the inter-
eat taken. Captain John d. Waldran was
elected drillmaster, and after remarking that
he would rather be drillmaster of the Mem
phis Broom Guards than governor of Ten
nessee, he delivered the following chivslric
address:
LADIES AND GESTLEMES-I never made
a speech to more than one young lady in my
life-I mean at the same time, and it ia with
considerable timidity that / attempt TO adj
dress so many lovely ones tonight, from the
fact, L know, that there is not young lady
in this room who has not at some time or
other listened TO young man upon a more
engaging subject, whose poetic language
would challenge the most endowed faculties
of the human mind, and thus justly cause
you 10 look upon what i might say with an
eye more capable OF perceiviDg the insig-
nifcance of my lew and brief remarks.
Therefore, do not wish you to judge me
too harshly unless you give me an opportu-
nifty of expatiating upon the same subject.
/ am not Insensible to that ambition which
seeks the good opinion OF others, nor am l
upgrateful for the exhibition of Partially
and friendship which you nave so kindly
shown me. There is nothing SO hattering TO
a man as for him TO know that he is appre-
ciated by the fair sex, and your action has
thoroughly demonstrated the fact that &C.
cupy that enviable position; and anything
that might say toward expressing my heart
felt gratitude for the compliment paid me
would be tame in regard 10 the real feelings
which crowd my inmost soul. In accepting
this Il altering position, l solemnly obli-
gate myself to discharge the duties i'm
posed upon me, to the best of my ability,
without Partially or favor, and to use every
effort in my power toward furthering the in
terests and promoting the welfare of the
Memphis Broom Guards, and should j fail,
it will be the fault of the head and not the
heart. To win the admiration OF the far
sex is the ambition of all noble men, but to
win favor in The eyes Of the ladies of Mem
my SOLE anu
We all have our aspirations, but certainly
say that mine have never been pitched TO
such an exalted position. have al
ways doubted my ability to make one
woman obey, from the fact that |
have never thought that a woman had
any more right to obey a man, than a man
has to obey a woman. History points us to
a time when women we're barely considered
part of the community but this was a dark
md ind
lightened that their appreciation Of women
increased. There are men, present tonight,
whose minds are still benighted upon this
subject, who treat and speak of the Memphis
Broom Guards, with as little difference and
respect as they do of the beast of
burden; such men need our pity, and ladies
forced to associate with such ignorant
beings deserve the sympathy of all
good people. | have heard some of these
hat-racks, who are commonly called men,
predict that this organization will not last
two weeks; forgive the poor, ignorant things,
for they know not what they say. I do not
claim for you, ladies, infsllibility, for it is
human to err; but predict that if you go
into this with the warmth and zeal charac-
teristic OF your sex, ere long the banner of
the Memphis Broom Guards will wave upon
a pinnacle of fame yet unattained by any
organization in the land.
Captain Waldran then put the company
through part OF the manual. AS he stood
up he found girls to the right of him, girls
TO the left of him, girls to the front OF him,
laughing and handsome. They went through
the movements, present arms" 'order
arms" fright shoulder" parade rest" etc
in way that would have reflected credit on
men soldiers.
The flag to be presented is of crimson and
pale blue bunting, one side containing the
words Memphis Broom Guards" and the
other cross brooms, painted by Miss Rosa
Kennedy.
The next meeting will be held at the
armory of the Porter Guards Tuesday night