Year: 1868




TEE ISSUE IN TENNESSEE.


Speech of General N. Ii. Forrest.


The following is q full report Of the remarks made
by General Forrest at o recent democratic meeting
in Brownsville:-


think that would be called upon to address you at
this time, as 1t was intended, and, l believe ex-
pected that would speak to you tonight. have
been laboring under sickness for a few days and
have been suffering from sore throat 30 that at the
present time win only be able to say few words %
Generals Cheatham, Brown, Quarles and Others to
the effect that wanted In Nashville In regard to
calling out OF the militia; and when received that
despatch started al once. When l arrived In
Nashville found fifteen Confederate generals
thirty leading citizens. Great fears have been
expressed about the calling out Of the militia, as
many were Of opinion that 1t would lead to blood
shed OF Q very serious character Governor Brown
low has stated in his message to the Legislature
were TO be declared outlaws, and he gave out and
declared that these Klans were composed OF soldiers
Sesp In n
soldiers, and In, fact the whole democratic party In
the south, belong to the ku Klux Klan Cheers
and laughter.) All are declared outlaws; for the
Governor says that he has no doubt they belong to
the Klan II there Is such Klan The Legislature
which the militia are called on to shoot down all
Ku Kluxes they may lind and they need fear no
prosecution for doing So That is, simply that they
may call Confederate soldier Ku Klux, shoot him
down, and no harm should befall any OF the militia
who may commit such an outrageous act, for Cover
BrOwnlow has proclaimed that they were all out
laws. fApplause) When this is done, tell you,
fellow citizens that there will be civil war. II the
radical Legislature, with Governor Brownlow, arms
the negroes and tell them to shoot down all Confed
crate soldiers, the ground that they members
OF this Ku Klux Klan they call 1t, and outlaws,
then In my opinion, there with be civil war In Ten
nessee. (Appause.j 1t is not policy to get into
another civil war; or war OF any kind at the present
cause in the North, and 1 have advised every Con-
federate soldier whom have met lately to do all In
his power to prevent war Of any kind taking place In
Tennessee.


AS there was very large crowd in the court house
square General Forrest was requested TO go outside
and continue his speech as all were anxious to hear
him. He accordingly did 30, after the deliberations
Of the convention closed.


can you fellow citizens, that l, for one, do
mot want any more war s havc s sss o IN s dn ~
WANT want to ; see % any m more bloodshed, nor nor DO
want TO see negroes armed to shoot down
white men. II they bring this war upon us,
shall not shoot any negroes SO long as can see
white radical to sh0o for 1t is the radicals who will
YOU fellow citizens that shall at all times be ready
10 go forward and assist the sheriff or any other
officer In carrying out the laws OF the State, and In
order TO assist him thoroughly will get as many OF
my old soldiers as possible to 60 with me. But II
they send the black men TO hunt those Confederate





"Go out and shoot the radicals" n they do want to
naugurate civil war, the sooner 1t comes the better,
tnat we may Know w9at mat 'gaU 2 !, 40 not
for, told you BEFORE have seen all the aud
ali the b0odshed want. wish you to exhaust all
honorable means before you do anything and
/ would prefer that you should suffer before 1
should see civil war inaugurated I'm tins country.
We have already lost all but our honor by the last
must protect oW honor at all hazards, and We must
also protect our wives, our homes and our families.
Org Il n N n M nm NOT
against tho colored man, neither have ever been
against the coored man. carried forty-1ve Of them
NE during the war. The next time saw the one
VINO deserted he was la the hands OF the Metropoli
tan Police for stealing. tSheers& & and laagnter;l
party any pretences TO bring on war; warn you
particularly against this They would like nothing
better tnan o war, for through 1t they might
carry tie election, aud by this means
k ep office and continue TO rob and bleed us. II,
however the war should come-aud hope 1t never
WILL waat no drones In Iny drum OF bees IAN
plause) II am force1 into a collision, can tell
yos that every man shal be compelled TO do his
duty Ihey have got to take sides with Us or the
otner party. We will have neutras; all must
what they are. II they are not for us then they
grave question. The militia will be a unit. and we
must be in the same position. My fellow citizens,
assert it s solemn thing TO think OF, for have no
dcibt that you all had enough of war. You have
sen war. and you know what IL is; and therefore
We ought, as | said before. exhaust all honorable
means 10 prevent coming among us. But II IL does
| ,ome | will do all in my power to meet IL, let the
| consequences be what they may. Loud and pro-
| longcd cheerng) now want TO say lew words TO
| the back men who are here before me; and what
wish to say Is TO ask them TO stand by the men who
raised you, who nursed you when you were sick aud
who took OF you when you were little children
say stand by them who are your friends and leave
your Loyal Leagucrs where you are taught to refuse
the franchise 10 those who have always proved your
friends. tell you that II you will only stand by us
that we will always stan1 by you and do as much
for you any white men can do for you. You can
have no interest with any scalawags and
carpetbaggers.. loud cheers . and ,laughter.l
YOU have got. The Northern people say
that these scalawsgs and carpet baggers were
thieves aud robbers their section or the coun
try. tApplause.) Then what can you expect from


A voiceNGenerai, there are . few carpet-baggcrs
and scalawags also here.


General Forrest-Yes, there are ana ~, am ashamed
are too low for me to speak about, and have no
words to express my contempt for such persons. I
feel to-day that Governor Brownlow is one OF that
class (fisses) He has escaped to this time because
he has been shaking with sickness aud weakness,
and Is ccnsisered crazy but u ne he inauSura,ss , eiy
consequences. tCheers.) When the war closed
surrendered honorably, and desire TO do my
duty to my country; but love the soldiers and
those who fought win me during the war love
them as love my own life, and never Intend that
they shall be shot down so long as have Nm arm TO
raise in their defence. tGreat cheering.l Fellow
soldiers we have stood by each other before, and
now want to know II you will stand by me and BY
the other Confederate Generals in what We did few
days ago at Nashville. (Cries OF ave will, we wlllr
and great cheering) Gentlemen, l feel am getting
hoarse, as 1 have lately suffered from severe cold,
and fear Will not be able to speak TO you much
longer. lCries OF ''Go on, General, go on.D Well,
l now wish TO speak TO you a few minutes about
the Democratic Convention, la'eiy nsld N NEW New
tion I learned that come OF those who call US
their friends were not In favor OF eniranchlsng the
soldiers of the south who fought IN the late war.
Now want to know how that IL. was taken cheer
fully Ivy the hand by the leading democrats OF the


mai fno p.IoIfia lvpn