Year: 1875

Special Correspondence Of the Nashville
Banner


CHICAGO, May 1.-The engrossiug
topic OF the day here at present is the
reunion of the Grand Army Of the Re
public, and how best to receive them.
The various committees are making vast
arrangements, and our citizens are sure
to give the boys q generous reception.
The public enterprise OF our citizens is
well known. We never do anything by
halves; we beat ali others, even il the
greatness Of our fires, and this time our
reception Of an army Of over one hun
dred thousand officers will be n big
thing. OF course you are aware that an
invitation has been extended to all Con.
tederate soldiers accepting the stars aud
stripes as the flag Of their country. This
means business, and should be accepted
by you in the spirit in which it il given.
l can Sssure you that it is the wish OF all
Union officers here to bury the hatchet,
and to meet all southern officers and
men on neutral ground, and begin new
era by grand jubilee of peace and re-
union. AS southern man myself, |
would urge on every Confederate soldier
to take advantage Of this in
vitatiOn. 1t will be the death
knell to all political tTiCksters, and will
have such an effect on the minds Of the
people that these miserable dogs who
have been bsrtering on the poverty and
misfortunes Of the south will have to
seek their hole. When the officers OF
both armies unite and meet TO renew
pledges of esteem and regard for each
other, and recount over a peaceful bottle
their deeds of heTOism on many a hard
fought field, then, indeed, we'll might
our carpet-baggers begin to p OK up;
then, indeed, we would have that peace
which Mr.. Grants policy never gave
US. l would advise you to do all you can
by pen and word to urge the COuieder-
ate officers to attend this reunion. /
know the sentiments Of the people here,
soldiers and citizeus, and l know that
the boys in gray will be more cordially
and enthusiastically received than their
own boys in blue. Let Us for once see
the two cOlOrs together on our streets
and in our hotels, and l assure you it
will be the death blow to the present
radical rule Of the land. / have not
read of any opinion uttered by told
Andy" on this subject, but know he
IS sound, and / am satisfied he is cOun-
selling this reunion. General Beaure-
CARDS letter to Governor Porter Is gen.





one opinion regarding it, that is, that il
was manly VindiCatiOn of his pol
icy during the war. The resOlu-
tiOn here, which called forth that
letter, has done some good. That reso-
luton to tender special invitations to
the most distinguished OF the C0nfeder-
ate officers was certainly offered in the
most friendly and kindly spirit, and was
indOrsed by every soldier. present. OF
course the general Of the stay-at-hOmes
here is not looked upon as a soldier, but
as a busy intermeddler, and General
Beauregard should take no notice of the
nRTrOW-mindedness Of this man Sher-
man, who ignObly bears the name of
brave general and noble soldier, who
would feel hOnored by shaking tie hand
of Beauregard and all such soldiers.
This is the real feeling of nearly all who
ever smelt powder, and the adj
mirers and friends Of General Beaure-
gard here will be very much disappOint-
ed by his absence. 1t is to be hoped the
general will fOregO his resolution and
sink self for the good Of his own people.
Our own gallant Frank Cheatham, of
course, will be with US. | hope Tennes-
see will be fairly represented here by the
east as well as the west. General n. B.
Forrest and others Of our Memphis boys
will be here sure. Headquarters are
already being prepared for them at
the Central hotel, one Of the best
arranged in the city, and can
accommodate over three hundred
guests. The southern officers should be
all together. Make one headquarters
for the CODfederscy, where they could
hold their own levees and receive their
own old friends. The proprietor Of this
hotel is perfect gentleman, Of rather
strong southern sentiments, and J. J.
Sullovan, head clerk, is well known to
all southern men as the genial fellow Of
the United States, Louisville. In con-
clusiOn. would urge on you again to
use your bsst endeavors in forwarding
the objects Of this peace jubilee. Shall
write you frequently during the blend
ing Of cOlOrs and the general shaking Of
hands. D. H. HAYS,


Formerly Of Memphis.