Posted on 12/20/2017 5:18:48 PM PST by vetvetdoug
The Memphis City Council has ordered the removal of the NB Forrest Statue that sits on top of the graves of General and Mrs. NB Forrest. This action breaks several laws and the order of the State for Memphis to not make any action toward the historical monument and grave site.
They will go after the slaveowner Founders Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson et al
Ladies and Gentlemen, I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the Southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on Gods earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. (Immense applause and laughter.) I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate every man, to depress none.
I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about politics today. I dont propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed Ill come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand.
After the speech Forrest thanked Miss Lewis for the bouquet and kissed her on the cheek. This type of familiarity between the races in public was almost unheard of at the time. Forrests speech was probably motivated by his desire to become a Christian. As his health faltered and his time on Earth grew short, Forrest sought to make amends for some of his deeds, and I think this speech was part of his attempt. This speech was also the last appearance at a public event by Forrest as a speaker.
Now, now. Disagreeing with eldoradude means you’re a bigot. I know cuz he said so.
So the city workers are defacing graves??? I thought that was sorta illegal. It might be a bit different (but still bad) if this was a statue in a park somewhere, but this is the guys grave, which maes things a bit more “grave”.
They have already made the Union Army disappear, with all their revisionist history that all whites were/are evil and owned slaves narrative. No mention of all the whites that fought and died in the Union Army.
I love history and to me the biggest mistake people make is not learning or even trying to understand the time period when things happened- which is vital to understanding what happened and why. Slavery has existed in so many cultures at so many times in history it is likely we are all descendants of slaves. This issue has been so distorted many believe only white people in the U.S. owned slaves, and all slaves were black.
The Civil War itself has to be studied within a study of the time frame to even begin to understand it. Slavery was not the only issue of the war by far.
Destroying or wiping away inconvenient history seems a simple solution but the Civil War was an important piece of our history and will contribute nothing to understanding the issues.
Since this began I have been thinking at some point people will say “What Civil War?” “What slavery?” The very people who support this will be hard pressed to make their points.
You tell em, bugman!
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