Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-18
L~ONGSTREET's TALK.
The Ex Confederate Generals Ad-
dress at the County Fair at
Woodstock.
He Tells the Story Of His EppII-
cation 60 Johnson for Am.
nesty.
Special 70 Chioago EVENING Tolorr,m

Special to Chicago Evening Telegram.
WOODSTOCK, I'LL, September l6.-
The twenty fourth annual county fair
Is a great success. The weather is
perfect and the crowd immense.
Among the veterans is General Long.
street, and he was introduced TO the
audience at the grand stand. The
old white whiskered, white haired
man, dressed in black broadcloth with
a %bouttoniere in his lapel-the man
for whom Robert Il. Lee always asked
when the rebel lines we're waverinR-
stood up. Turning his back on the
great gathering across the course. he
faced the Judges stand, where were
Governor Hamilton and other distin
gulshed men, and said in a low tone:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentle-
men; | I'm indebted to the officers Of
this agricultural society for this honor
to>day, and | thank you for it." Then,
turning to his audience, he said in a
voice which failed to reach very far:
Far away from my Southern home
| have come to enjoy this occasion.
We are here to prepare a way whereby
VIC may become q more homogeneous
peo5ls The seldiers of the North
and of the South we're the first to
bring about this blessing of good
will. Alter the war was over |
went to Washington, where l
visited my old friend and school
mate, General Grant. He asked me
i'll was ready to be amnestied, and
when | told him yes he gave me a
strong letter to President johnson,
and | called on him the next day.
After a long talk he put me of until
the next day. Then there was another
long talk, and finally President John,
son said to me: There are three men
10 this country who can never enjoy
the benefits Of amnesty-Jeff Davis,
h. Lee and yourself l said to
him, after thanking him for placing
me in the distinguished company he
did: Mr.. President, those who are
forgiven most love the most. With
that | went back to my home in
Georgia. A year after a petition for
me went up, and General Grant and
General Pope went in my behalf in
to see it through, and they did.
| felt that | had not loved the Union
before as did then, and again l said:
Those who are forgiven most love the
most. [Cheers. / felt the influences
OF that tender chord which had been
touched-by the people Of the North
by its women"
Here General Longstreet hesitated
and faltered. Turning his back on the
audience again he faced the ladies in
the judges stand, and looking at them
a few seconds, began in a very low
tone: How can l, a poor soldier.
reared in and accustomed to the rough
lite OF camp, express myself while
looking into the bright eyes | see. II
fail to express-I do not know how to
speak, The hesitancy was becoming
painful, and the audience back Of him
could not divine what he was doing or
while thosein the stand looked
at him steadfastly.] IL can only say
lin the language Of my old comman-
der, i must surrender"
He sat down at once, a few cheers
went up, and as the sun was beating
on his white hairs a lady offered him
her ~sunshade, which he held above
him the remainder Of the sitting.