Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-03-25
THE SOLDIERS ROLL.
SPEECH OF CAPT. RYAN AND
REPLY OF MR.. BROWNLOW.
Presentation of a Watch to Mr.. Brown
low by the Battle-scarred Heroes
on His Retirement from Office.

partmcnts at Washington, Hon. W. p.
Brownlow is well known to the people of
the first congressional district of Tennes-
see. 1t has been frequently asked whcth-
er or not Mr., Brownlow can make a
speech, such as would be expected in the
event Of his nomination for Congress.
That he is one of the best posted men
in the State on political issues is well
known to all his acquaintance, and that
he will make one of the most satisfactory
canvasses the Republicans have ever wit
messed in this district is beyond doubt.
We present herewith an impromtu ad-
dress delivered by Mr.. Brownlow, with
the address that called it forth, as an in
dication Of his ability, without notice or
preparation, to make speech that will
compare favorably with the most elo-
quent delivered in Congress for years.
Hon. w. p Brownlow's term as Door
keeper of the House of Representatives
at Washington expired last week on the
election of his successor, Mr. Winter.
smith Of Texas.
AT parting, to attest their respect for
him as their immediate friend, and true
friend of the old soldiers regardless of
politics the fourteen disabled soldiers in
his department composing the Soldiers
Roll, presented him with beautiful gold
watch and chain, appropriately engraved.
Capt. Ryan, for the Roll, said, in pre-.
senting the watch;
Col. BRowNLow:-We, the disabled
soldiers borne on the soldiers roll, -
House of Representatives. feel that we
would be insensible to gratitude and
wanting in self-respcct were we to permit
you to separate from us on this occasion
without giving expression to our feelings.
There are times and occasions when
words fail TO convey the inward emotions
of the heart, and we feel that this is one
Of those occasions, because you have en-
deared yourself to us by acts--not words.
When you assumed the important respon-
sibilities of the office of Doorkeeper of
the House of Representatives, we were
comparatively strangers-many of lis
meeting you for the first time, and hence
feeling OF uncertainty in regard to re-
tanning our position on the soldiers roll
at once entered into our minds by reason
of this fact But we were not long in
doubt; our minds were speedily disabus.
ed of these thoughts, and hope soon took
the place of fear by realization of the
factthat in you we had true and warm
friend, and, as time advanced, this
friendship ripened into love that cannot
be impaired or effected by our separation
on this occasion, but more firmly cement.
ed down deep in the inmost recesscs of
our hearts.
You have proven yourself to be firm
and consistent friend of the union soldier
especially the disabled soldiers, regard.
less of politics. You, sir, were prompt in
recognizing the justice and humanity of
placing upon an equality those who had
fought side by side for the same cause
and the same ilag-and suffered the pri
vations Of the march, the battlefield, the
amputation table the hospital and pris
OF pen, standing by one another like
brothers of one family-never permitting
politics to disturb their patriotism, MOI
to disturb their companiOnship. There
was no hesitation on your part as to the
proper course to pursue. You at once
announced that politics should not, nol
would not, as long as you were permitted
to ofliciate as Doorkeeper of the House
operate n; an instrument to deprive any
man of the means whereby he was en-
abled to support his family after being
deprived of his usefulness for life in the
defense of his country, and thereby sub
ject to hardship and inconvenience by
reason of his inability to compete with
able bodied men in the struggle for liv,
ing.
We, know sir, that it was one of your
first acts upon entering the Doorkeeper'
Office to enquire into the status of the sol
dicrs' roll, with view to the establish
ment of the same as the law contemplat
ed, namely, disabled union soldiers
roll. This you accomplished by retain
lily lllbst DOlIt Ou lllt lOll nllHuo IL ltS vi
an arm or both, and by removing every
able-bodied man borne on said roll, anC
appointing honorably discharged unior
soldiers, minus leg or an arm in theil
place until the roll was completed and il
accordance with law, towit, fourteen
disabled union soldiers. This, sir, yol
did regardless of politics, the only quail
fication required by you being that h,
was an honorably discharged and disabled
union soldier. We know that you tool
II great pride in your soldiers roll, anC
endeavored to place it upon a firm ant
permanent basis, and in this respect yol
have established precedent which W,
confidently hope will be strictly adhered
to by future Doorkeepers and congresse
regardless of their political status
We desire to say, in conclusion tina
you have always treated US with marked
kindness, courtesy, and consideration
Democrat and Republican alike; you hon
ored us on account of our records instead
of our politics, remembering our sacritic
es and forgeiful of our political senti
mcnls or opinions. TO disappointed par
tisans you turned deaf ear and thos
who were desir0us to make an invidiou
distinction between those whom the mis-
fortune of war deprived of their useful
ness for life, battling for the same cause
received NO encouragement from you
You, sir, were our friend You not onl,
placed the soldiers roll on a firm basi
but YOU established n bond of friendship
and loyal feeling between the member
ship of the soldiers roll and yourself tha
will be ever cherished by them-individ
ually as well a. collectively, through al
the walks of life. and which will not b
cancelled or effected by our separation OF
this occasion. That bond is registered il
the beautiful book of memory-evcr
leaf of which bears record of cherishe,
incidents of the past. which can never b
obliieratcd by the hand of time.
We present you with this gold watcl
and chain as Il testimonial of our high re
gard and esteem for you rs a public Off
Ger and rs an evidence of our feeling
toward you as personal friend.
Now, sir, we can only say, in addition
IN GOOD hive. that we wish Won and YOU