Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-24
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
AN INTERVIEW WITH COL. H. D CAPERs-
PROGRAMME OF THE MEETING

An JNIEhNlEh WITH COI. ID. d. CAPERs-
PROGRAMME OF THE MEETING
NASHVILLE, March 23.-The Banner pub.
fishes the following:
Looking forward to the meeting of the
Southern Historical Society in Nashville,
which, as advertised, taxes place On the 2lst
OF May, in connection with the competitive
military drill, Banner reporter called upon
Col. ID. ID. Capers, at his quarters in The
Nicholson House, to ascerla ain any facts
which would be of interest 10 the gen.
ersl reading public The reporter found C1l.
Capers surrouu led with papers, 10 auuscripts
and books Of entry, and his unpre,epding
quarters looking for the world like business.
Col. Cspers deeply regretted tine loss of
Maj. Martin, who had charge Of the compe.
titive drill, and with whom he had been CO.
operating. HIS sudden death seemed 10 have
impressed him very much, and he SPOKE of
the deceased in the warmest terms of COM
mendation.
why, cir" said the colonel, "ouly the day
before his death l received a letter from Mar
tin, agreeing 10 certain matters | had sug-
gested in connection with the drill, which was
clearly expressed and as hopefully uttered
as a document could be. He impressed me
very much as a cool, careful man, of supe-
rior administrative ability, and 1 cannot
think of the 2lst of May without some de-
gree OF sadness"
To the question: What programme have
you agreed upon for your meetingY Col.
Capers answered in substance as follows:
"During his recent visit here, 1 had a con-
ference with the Rev. DR.. Jones, the secre-
tary Of our society, to which we invited DR..
Lindsey, OF your city. You must remember
that have no authority myself, nor has DR..
Jones, to make any appointments or meet.
lngs Tor cur society," This matter belongs 10
our Executive Committee, OF which Gen.
Dabney Maury is chairman, but such is the
high estimate and deserved respect which
the committee have for DIR. Jones as secre-
tary, that he (Gen. Lee, member,) and my
self feel assured that no exceptions will be
taken to what we have done. Therefore we
have arranged for the May meeting of the
society. The opening address will be deliv-
cred by the Hon. Jeferron Davis, ex-presi-
dent OF the Confederate States, and we are
now arranging a programme OF daily exer-
cis-s, which will embrace many historical
papers of gre at interest"
'Do you think it proper that President
Davis should addre-s your body?'
"Why not?" was the prompt answer "Mr
Davis ID not only capable OF making an ad-
dress worthy of any living ststesman that l
know of, but be is the man OF all men we
want 10 speak te our body. He is a wise
N an, prudent man, and Just mau-yei he
is a man brave enough to de.pise sycoph ncy
and yet great enough 10 fecOgni ze the logic
of the inevitable. II is great mIstske 10
suppose that Mr.. Davis is sour, disap-
pointed politician. He rises 10 higher at
mosphere, and as he loves his country and
the best interest of his people he cannot uor
will not com promise either. As far az l am
concerned personally, | have nsyer YET seen
the day, or the moment OF the day, that /
had sny apology 10 make for the soldiers of
our Lost Cause and l am perfectly coufi-
, dent that they will never have TO apologize
for the president of the S1uthern Coufe deracy,
under whose flag they made an ion perish able
renown. Yes, President Davis will make
| our opening address, and you may set it
down, as they say, that it will be an address"
HAS the other part OF the programme
been arrauged%
"Not fully. Gen. Chealhsm, the Rev. Dr.
Kelley, Bishop Qlin;ard, Col. GaIlaway,
| Capt. Morton, Gen. Brown, Capt. Steele,
| Gen Palmer and other gentlemen will read
| papers of an offieial and historic character.
These will be announced when the time
comes and as soon as can confer with Msj
| Martin's successor"
Alter coatinued conversation OF much
| general interest the reporter left.