USA > Tennessee > Old times in Tennessee, with historical, personal, and political scraps and sketches > Part 39
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"FURL THAT BANNER."
The cause in which the South fought perished. The flag un- der which it served is furled and put away forever, and over its
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dust flies the "star-spangled banner." We look upon it as the symbol of a common and united country. Why can we not en- tertain kind and fraternal feelings for one another, and for our entire country? Its stars should shine kindly down upon our dead, and its ample folds, as they float over the sea and over the land, should cast no shadow of shame upon the unsullied honor of the South. Our republic to-day is stronger and more power- ful than it ever was. Great have been our achievements, but we are destined to still greater achievements, if all sections shall be true to themselves and the great principles upon which our gov- ernment is founded.
CONCLUSION.
To the citizens of Humphreys county I again tender my thanks for the honor they have conferred on me. I fear I have not met the expectation of the ladies, and must ask that indulgence granted in 1844, when, in the great contest between Clay and Polk, the citizens of Macon county had a mass-meeting, and Judge Hise, of Kentucky, and myself were the invited speakers. Capt. R. A. Bennett, a man of great natural powers, and of many noble qualities, was marshal of the day, and in command of some two thousand men. He wished to honor the speakers with a salute, and as we rode down the lines Capt. Bennett, with drawn sword, the belt sinking deep in his body, being a fat man, was command- ing the men to fall into line; as he would get one on the line the next would get off of it, so that the line was as crooked as the worm-fence around the field which the command occupied. Capt. Bennet was flourishing his sword in an excited manner, saying, " Gentlemen, get into line, for God's sake!" Col. Claiborne, an old Democrat, seeing the dilemma the marshal was in, stepped up to him and said, "Never mind, Capt. Bennett, in the line or out of it, it makes no odds, we are all Democrats any way." So I say, ladies, if my address has been crooked, in or out of the line, it makes no odds with you, we are all Democrats any way. Ladies, accept the thanks of every man present, and especially of myself, for the honor you have conferred on this meeting by your sweet smiles and charming presence.
At the close of this speech the Chairman announced that the entire assembly was invited to the grove to partake of the dinner
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prepared by the hands of the fair daughters of Humphreys, which invitation was accepted, and full justice was done to the ample collation.
At night the citizens, headed by the amateur band, serenaded Judge Guild, who responded, the reporter says, "in some happy and well-timed remarks, which were received enthusiastically by the citizens."
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XXIV.
LAFAYETTE, THE GREAT APOSTLE OF LIBERTY-THE FRENCH REVOLUTION -- LAFAYETTE'S SECOND VISIT TO THIS COUNTRY.
[A Lecture delivered by Jo. C. GUILD, at various places for charitable purposes.]
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Being honored with your invita- tion, I am here to-night to speak to you of LaFayette, the great apostle of liberty. For the blessings we enjoy as a nation, we are indebted to the patriotism, the courage, and the sacrifices of the heroes of 1776. They wrested this fair land from the op- pressors and established a great republic, unrivaled in its extent and unsurpassed in the freedom of its institutions. Here they established an asylum for the oppressed of every land, and multi- plied thousands have availed themselves of the inestimable bless- ings of this great heritage. Among the noble band to whom we are indebted for this priceless boon, the Marquis de LaFayette occupies a conspicuous place.
The persecutions of the kings and aristocracy of the old world in the sixteenth century caused the victims of these oppressions to look to America as a country where they could enjoy civil and religious liberty in the fullest and freest sense. They were denied these rights in their native land, and they expatriated themselves and sought homes in the wilds of the new world. Thus England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, and Spain lost heavily of their bravest and best population. The Cavalier, who had con- spired for the death of Cromwell, reposed under the same forest with the Round-head, who signed or approved the death-warrant of Charles I, and they embraced as friends. So the Huguenots, who were expelled from France, and the hardy and brave of the United Provinces of Germany and Spain, broke the chains of despotism with which they were oppressed, and sought the same asylum, and became friends and coadjutors in building up a new
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country. Thus America drew from the old world its first white population ; thus were established the thirteen Colonies, which eventually became the Great Republic. These brave and adven- turous spirits who fled from European oppression, endured the same privations, suffered from the same diseases, encountered the same perils from Indian treachery and ferocity. Yet they grew in numbers and prospered in wealth, notwithstanding they re- ceived little or no protection from the home government. It was then that the King and nobles imposed heavy taxes upon the colonists, at the same time denying them the right of repre- sentation. This system struck down the liberty of the citizens, and made the people of this country vassals, mere serfs, to the British Crown. This course aroused a spirit of resistance which culminated in the Colonies throwing off all allegiance to Great Britain, and the inauguration of a revolution that produced greater results than any revolt in the history of the world. George Washington was called by his countrymen to lead the patriot host to fight freedom's battles. All staked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor upon what could not other- wise than have been considered a doubtful result. When we take into consideration the unequal contest in which the Colonies were engaged ; with a population of only three million extending along the shores of the Atlantic all the way from New York to Savannah; and their lack of shipping, their ports closed, and their treasury empty-when we remember that the Colonies were thus situated, thus illy prepared for a contest with the most pow- erfal nation upon the earth, the beat of whose drum, it is said, was heard around the globe, and whose flag floated upon every sea, the results of that revolution challenge the admiration of mankind in every country and in every age of the world. When the thirteen Colonies determined to strike for independence, the appeal to the patriotism of the people was responded to with an enthusiasm that showed their hearts were in the work. Volun- teers from every State rallied around our eagles, and the star- spangled banner was borne aloft whether in defeat or victory. The battles of Bunker Hill and Lexington were fought, and those hotly-contested fields demonstrated to the world that the un- trained volunteers of the Colonies, fighting for liberty, for their homes, and for all that men hold dear on earth, were more than
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a match for an equal number of the mercenary soldiers of the British Crown. The bloody tide of war rolled on and New York had to succumb to greatly superior numbers. Washington's army was poorly supplied with provisions and clothing, badly equipped for a campaign, and was greatly reduced in numbers, there being not more than six thousand men fit for service, while the British army was four times larger and well supplied in every respect. Washington was, therefore, compelled to retreat before superior numbers, and the British were in hot pursuit of him, determined, if possible, to capture his small army. This was in 1777, the most gloomy period of the revolution. Despondency appeared to have seized upon almost every one, and many thoughtful and prudent men entertained and debated the question of submission. Every appearance seemed to indicate that freedom was beyond the grasp of the patriots. Yet Washington was firm amid these discouragements. He was determined to fight on and win inde- pendence or die in the unequal struggle. He was as firm and immovable in his purpose as the blood-stained hills over which his little band of brave and gallant spirits were retreating. Two great events now took place, the victories of Princeton and Tren- ton, in the latter of which Washington rallied his broken forces, riding in the midst of them and with the wave of his hat, called upon them "to.stand to their arms and follow him in the charge, and we will yet snatch victory from the jaws of death." He thus rallied his forces and charged the enemy and kept them at bay" until his reserves hastened up, when he led that glorious charge which drove the enemy from the field with great slaughter. In this grand charge Washington was the personification of the no- blest warrior who ever trod a battle-field ; he approached divinity itself. These victories in some measure revived the drooping spirits of the patriots.
The other great event alluded to, which revived the spirits and renewed the hopes of the men who were fighting for liberty and their homes, was the cheering news that a gallant French noble- man of high rank and vast fortune had just arrived at Charleston, with a regiment of Frenchmen, well armed and equipped, and supplied with all the material- of war, ready to espouse the cause of American independence. "As the first ray of morning breaks upon the benighted and tempest-tossed mariner," so did this
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timely assistance cheer the hearts of the war-worn and almost de- spondent soldiers of freedom. This French nobleman, who threw his all into the scale for liberty and independence, was the Mar- quis de La Fayette.
When only between sixteen and seventeen, LaFayette was married to a beautiful and accomplished lady of high social posi- tion and influential connections. His fortune was vast ; his rank was with the first in Europe; his connections brought him the support of the chief persons in France ; and his individual char- acter-the warm, open, and sincere manners, which distinguished him through life, and gave him such singular control over the minds of men-made him powerful in the confidence of society wherever he went; and thus his condition in life seemed to be assured to him among the most splendid and powerful in the em- pire. It seemed, indeed, as if life had nothing further to offer him, than he could surely obtain by walking in the path that was so bright before him. It was at this period that his thoughts and feelings were turned toward the thirteen Colonies, then in the darkest and most doubtful passage of their struggle for indepen- dence. He made himself acquainted with our agents in Paris, and learned from them the state of our affairs. The recital did not present a very tempting picture. Indeed, nothing could be less tempting to him, whether he sought military reputation, or military instruction ; for our army, at that time retreating through New Jersey, and leaving its traces of blood from the naked and torn feet of the soldiery, as it hastened onward out of the way of the British legions, was too humble to offer him either. Our credit in Europe was entirely gone, while it was but little better at home, so that our agents to whom LaFayette persisted in offering his services, were obliged at last to acknowledge that they could not even give him decent means for conveyance. "Then," said he, " I shall purchase and fit out a vessel for my- self." He did so. The vessel was prepared at Bordeaux, and sent round to one of the nearest ports in Spain, that it might be beyond the reach of the French government. In order more ef- fectually to conceal his purpose, he made, just before his embark- ation, a visit of a few weeks in England, and was much sought in English society. On his return to France, he did not stop at all in the capital, even to see his own family, but bastened with
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all speed and secrecy, to make good his escape from the country. It was not until he was thus on his way to embark, that his ro- mandic undertaking began to be known. Lord Stormont, the English embassador, required the French ministry to despatch an order for LaFayette's arrest, not only to Bordeaux, but to the French commanders on the West India station ; a requisition with which the ministry readily complied, for they were at that time anxious to preserve a good understanding with England, and were seriously angry with LaFayette for thus putting in jeopardy the relations of the two countries. He was arrested at Passage, on the borders of France and Spain, and taken back to Bordeaux. There, watching his opportunity, and assisted by a few friends, he made his escape, disguised as a courier, with his face blacked and false hair. He passed the frontiers of the two kingdoms a few hours ahead of his pursuers. He soon afterward arrived at the port where his vessel was waiting for him with a regiment of French soldiers recruited for service in the American war. Im- mediately upon reaching his vessel he set sail for America. The usual course for French vessels attempting to trade with our Col- onies at that period, was to sail for the West Indies, and then, coming up along our coast, enter where they could. But this course would have exposed La Fayette to the naval commanders of his own nation, and he had almost as much reason to fear them as the British cruisers. When, therefore, they were outside of the Canary Islands, LaFayette directed the captain to lay their course directly for the United States, but he refused to do so, al- leging that if they should be taken by a British force, and carried into Halifax, the French government would never reclaim them, and they could hope for nothing but a slow death in a dungeon or a prison-ship. This was true, but LaFayette knew it before he gave the order. He insisted that the captain should sail as directed, but the latter refused in the most positive manner. La Fayette then told him that the ship was his own private prop- erty, that he had made his own arrangements concerning it, and that if he (the 'captain) would not sail directly for the United States, he should be put in irons, and the command of the vessel given to the next officer. The captain saw that LaFayette "meant business," and so he submitted, and sailed directly for the South- ern portion of the United States, and arrived at Charleston on
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April 25, 1777. His arrival produced a great sensation, and caused hearts to bound with joy that were almost overwhelmed with grief. It will stand forth forever as one of the most prom- inent events in our revolutionary struggle ; and, as has often been said by one who bore no small part in its trials and success, none but those who were alive at the time can realize what an impulse it gave to the hopes of a population almost disheartened by a long series of disasters. Why did La Fayette forego all the blandish- ments and pleasures of high life in Paris, so fascinating especially to youth ; why risk his large fortune and his elevated position in his own country, to help strangers, who had no claims upon him, to fight the battles of freedom ? It was because he was born to detest tyranny and love liberty as above all price. It was a part of his nature to venerate liberty and independence, and his earn- est supplications for success went to a people struggling for this inestimable boon anywhere upon the face of the earth. His pas- sionate love for liberty caused him to leave his native land, to break asunder the ties that bound him to family and friends, and hasten to the assistance of a people struggling for the right en- joyed by all Englishmen-the right to a voice in framing the laws by which they were governed. To aid in this great work, he exchanged the low, sweet voice of love for the hostile shout and the clash of arms; the music of the lute and the harp for that of the drum and the fife; and the effeminate pleasures of the court for the hardships of the camp. His own court opposed his undertaking in behalf of America and threw every obstacle in his way, but this only added vigor to his patriotic purpose. His gallant ship was seen flying across the sea like the swoop of the eagle, and it landed upon our shores like a bird of promise.
By act of Congress, LaFayette was made a Major-General in the Continental army shortly after his arrival in this country, and from that date until the close of the war in 1781, he was the intimate companion of Washington, and greatly distinguished himself in many of the battles of that period. On the field of Brandywine his blood flowed, as his treasure had, in the cause of our independence. He was not less distinguished in battle than around the council board, and shortly after his arrival in this country he induced the King of the French to recognize our in- dependence, which resulted in a treaty offensive and defensive.
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The aid rendered by France was of inestimable value in our struggle with Great Britain. . While these events were transpi- ring, the war-cloud settled upon the South. The important bat- tle of King's Mountain was fought and won by volunteers from Virginia and that portion of North Carolina now embraced in the State of Tennessee, those from the first-named State being commanded by Col. Campbell, and those from this State by Cols. Sevier and Shelby. The battles of the Cow-Pens, Guilford Court-house, and Eutaw Springs, were fought with doubtful re- sults, still Cornwallis, in command of the British army, felt con- strained to fall back. Washington and LaFayette arrived from the North, and the British were driven to Yorktown, where Cornwallis was invested and ultimately compelled to surrender. Thus closed a seven years' war, securing to us independence and the blessings of free government which we this day enjoy. With patriotic devotion and unswerving fidelity to our cause, LaFay- ette spent his treasure, periled his life, and twice poured out his blood to secure the establishment of the Great Republic.
La Fayette was held in the esteem of the American people sec- ond only to the Father of his Country, and when he returned to his native France, he carried with him the well-wishes of a na- tion of freemen. He was regarded throughout the civilized world as an apostle of liberty, and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of men to-day wherever free institutions exist, and will continue so while liberty has a country and freedom a vo- tary. His fair fame was never sullied during the sanguinary scenes of the French Revolution. The people of France drank so deeply at the fountain of liberty that they carried their ideas of freedom to excess, got drunk on blood, and vomited crime in its most revolting forms, leaving a stain upon the escutcheon of the nation, which "all great Neptune's ocean" could not wash out. LaFayette miraculously escaped those bloody scenes. He did not fall in with the furor that swept over France as a hurri- cane that rends forests. He favored the reform of the abuses of the Crown and the aristocracy, but at the same time he was for liberty regulated by law. He was eminently a conservative, and periled his life in the effort to check the effusion of blood, and although he was not able to stay the torrent in its onward sweep, yet his efforts were not wholly barren of good results. He was
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in command of the center division of the French army in the war with Austria when an order came from the National Assem- bly, which had control of the government of France, requiring him to take the oath of allegiance to the Jacobins, who were masters of the situation, and to administer it to his army. He stood upon the broken fragments of the constitution and laws of his country, and refused to obey the order. But in a short time he discovered that the power of the Jacobin party had taken effect upon his own soldiers, and his efforts to extract the poison from his army proved ineffectual. Thereupon the army broke up and returned to Paris, leaving him with only a few devoted followers. The result of this was that LaFayette was ostracised, and he fled to the Netherlands and afterwards to Prussia. Here he was demanded by Austria, under an extradition treaty be- tween that power and Prussia, and was delivered to the authori- ties of the former and imprisoned five years at Olmutz. The whole civilized world, Gen. Washington leading in this noble work, interfered for the release of this hero-patriot. Two young Americans, Col. Francis Huger and Bateman planned his escape, which, however, failed, though it nearly succeeded. For this the young men were arrested and incarcerated in a dungeon for a long period. The father of Huger had entertained LaFayette on his first arrival in this country, with the hospitality for which he was noted, and the gallant Frenchman had dandled young Huger upon his knee. and it was the memory of these scenes that caused the ardent young American to peril his life in the attempt to rescue the friend of his father and of his country. The imprisonment of LaFayette during the Reign of Terror was perhaps fortunate for him, as in all probability it saved him from the guillotine, which severed so many heads and spilt so much innocent blood in France. When LaFayette returned to France after his release from imprisonment, he found the First Consul at the head of the government, and positions of honor and trust were offered him, but he steadily refused all of them, and retired from the capital to wait for better times, like Cato, who retired to his Sabine farm and prayed for Rome.
Before I pass to the interesting episode in the history of our hero, the second visit of LaFayette to this country, when he was received as the guest of the nation, and honored with ovation
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after ovation wherever he went, such as no other hero ever en- joyed, I must refer further to the bloody page of French history. The King was dethroned, and he and the royal family were awaiting their sad fate in the loathsome dungeon. France was divided into two great parties-the Girondists and the Jacobins. The universal cry of the masses was for a republic. Both the great parties sustained this demand. The former were in favor of protecting the liberty and rights of the people by a constitu- tion and laws somewhat similar to those of the United States. The Jacobins were Communists, who abrogated all the safe- guards of liberty, destroyed all the distinctions in society, order- ed the confiscation of the estates of the nobility and the property and revenue of the Church, the erection of the guillotine, and that all classes who opposed the principles of this party should be brought to the knife. This party was headed by those human monsters, Robespierre, Marat, and Danton, who organized bands of men and women, selected from the worst elements, the dregs of society, armed with pikes, who went about and seized all who spoke or acted against this party, or who did not aid in the mas- sacre during the Reign of Terror, dragged them from their fami- lies, hurried them to prison, and thence to the guillotine. Men and women who concealed themselves from the mob, were, when discovered, dispatched and their heads carried through the streets of Paris on pikes. As many as ten thousand of the most prom- inent men and women were arrested and confined in the Bastile, which was broken into by the mob and those confined there in- humanly murdered. That was a night more terrible to Paris than was the death of the first born to Egypt when the destroy- ing angel passed over that fated land. Thirty priests were ar- rested and dragged to prison. Some of them were brutally mur- dered on the way, while the remainder were guillotined. Twelve fiends selected by the mob as judges, sat around the prison tables, to award life or instant death to those brought before them. Their coarse, brutal countenances proclaimed that they were familiar with the debauch and blood. The frown of the fiend was the signal for the assassin to do his horrible work. One hundred and fifty soldiers of the King were set upon by the mob and cruelly murdered. Their bodies were piled up in a corner ; the remaining priests were then slaughtered, and their headless
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trunks thrown upon the pile of dead soldiers. The carnage still went on, and the innocent and the guilty met the same fate. To suspect a man was to stamp him with crime; an illustrious name was regarded as evidence of guilt, and thus were victims fur- nished the insatiate mob. Similar revolting scenes were enacted in all the prisons. The court-yard became slippery with blood, and all the vehicles of Paris could not remove the dead bodies to the catacombs. In some places the dead bodies were used as seats by the mob, on which they drank their brandy and carried on their infernal orgies. Men the most distinguished for honor and talents were brained with the assassin's club. Ladies of the highest accomplishments and the purest virtue were hacked to pieces by these cowardly wretches, who had crawled from their dens of pollution, and the dismembered lims of the victims were borne through the streets on pikes. Children were called cubs of the aristocracy, and they were slaughtered without the least compunction. The soul sickens at the recital of these deeds of blood, and turns with horror from scenes the like of which had never before been enacted. There is no despotism so appalling as the despotism of anarchy, and there is no law more to be ab- horred than the absence of all law.
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