| ca. 6, "TRUE MEN OF THE SOUTH TO THE RESCUE;" Secessionist propaganda poster text in Memphis on the eve of the vote on secession
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, President of the Northern States, has seen fit to make a call upon the States of the Union for 75,000 men, for the declared purpose of subjugating the States of the Southern Confederacy, and make them subservient to his will; and whereas such a call is repugnant to the feeling of the people of the border States, and must, therefore, be treated with contempt. And whereas, also, the Republicans of the North are heaping insult and injury upon friends of the South in their midst, and have forced them to leave their homes. in the north in consequence thereof;
We, loyal citizens of the South, who have pledged our lives, our property, and our sacred honors, in support of the Government of the Confederate States, deem it incumbent upon us to urge immediate arming of all our able-bodied men who are willing to resist the cohorts of the North; we also urge all friends of the South to be vigilant, and use their utmost efforts to preserve the honor and integrity of our United South. Our safety requires that those living in our midst, who do not wish to abandon their allegiance to Lincoln's Government, who are in favor of negro equality and the degradation of the white race, [added] should leave this city as soon as possible. That a number of men from the North, who have made their homes in this city, are true to the South, there is no doubt; but there are others whom it will not do to trust.
They are men who, notwithstanding they have made all they are worth from Southern patronage, are recreant to the South, and in her hour of peril will prove themselves traitors. Those men must be compelled to leave here. We do not counsel force for this purpose, unless a refusal is gent to comply with such a demand.
Let the proprietors of business houses, machine, carpenter, and cabinet shops, foundries, printing-offices, paint and tailor ships, hotel and boarding houses, report immediately the names of all those who they know cannot be trusted as friends to the South. It is important that this be done -- the security of our property and the safety of our families demand it. Our gallant sons, who are anxious to march wherever the service of the South requires them, wish to carry with them the consoling though that they have not left behind them the lurking enemy, who, while lingering around their homes and firesides, would incite our negroes [sic] to insurrection, and bring the worst calamities upon our wives, our mothers, and our daughters. [added]
"Those who are not with us are against us." Let every citizen remember that "Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty."
The process of marking the Union men on the day of the election [i.e., the plebiscite on Tennessee's secession on June 8] was by writing the name of each voter, as it was entered upon the poll book, upon the back of the ticket, with the corresponding number entered on both; so that, after the vote was counted, the Union tickets could easily be selected, and voters attended to. This design was known before the elections, and, of course, deterred Union men form voting at all, or compelled them to vote for secession." Rebellion Record, Vol. 2, p. 58. 6, "The Anniversary Celebration."
Grand Procession of Loyal Men.
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Yesterday morning, June 6th, the anniversary of the battle of Memphis, the era when the Federal Government overthrew usurped authority, and once more assumed its just sway over the city, was welcomed by every loyal heart. The morning was cloudy, but as the crowds wended along the streets in the direction of the gathering place of the masses, the veil that hid the blue sky parted, and the vaulted heavens and beaming sun looked down auspicious on the hundred[s] of flags and streamers that moved in graceful folds from as many windows. The rain of the previous day or two had laid the dust, and the streets were in favorable condition for the ceremonies of the day.
At the appointed hour, Second street, in the neighborhood of Court Square, was thronged with a large multitude, which watched with intense interest while the marshals of the day ranked the proceedings into order. At length the moment of starting arrived. Then, music in stirring strains broke on the morning air; national airs, breathing joy to every loyal bosom, resounded in the echoing streets. The vast train set off on it appointed way, and a glorious display it was, of "beauteous ladies and of gallant men." On foot and on horseback, in cars and carriages, with flags and banners displayed, and with hurrahs of joy, on it went.
The procession was a beautiful one. The number of persons on horseback and carriage was unusually large. The flags and banners were numerous, and on an immense and beautifully ornamental car stood thirty-four young ladies in white, showing the Union colors. They represented thirty-four States of the Union. Several ladies also appeared in the procession on horseback. Three cars bore immense paintings, illustrative of the battle of Memphis and the events of taking possession of the city. A very large number of banners, bearing appropriate mottoes, were carried among the long train of footmen in the procession.
The streets named in the programme were passed through, and all along the route the Stripes and Stars waving from numerous windows, showed how many of the citizens sympathized with the pleasing ceremonies of the day.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession was arranged in the following order:
Grand Marshal of the Day, G. P. Ware, Esq., and Assistant Marshals on horseback.
Carriage containing the President of the Memphis Union Club, the Chairman of the Committee on Invitations, and the Orator of the Day. The carriage was decked with a beautiful flag.
Officers of the United States Army, on horseback.
Splendid Temple of Liberty, with interior dome; a magnificent structure of the National red, white and blue, drawn by twelve horses. Within the temple were thirty-four young ladies arrayed in white and wearing circlets of flours upon their heads. Beneath the dome a tall young lady, (Miss LELIA BURBANK,) appeared as the Goddess of Liberty. Her robe was the stripes of the national flag; on her forehead was a golden circlet and she bore on her head a staff surmounted with the cap of liberty. Her supporters, right and left, were Miss LIZZIE JOHNSON and Miss LOUISA MILLER.
Large silk flag, presented to the Washington Club by the ladies of Memphis.
Band of the Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois regiment.
Members of the Memphis Union Club, wearing their badges and carrying banners with mottoes.
Three cars with emblematic paintings of large size, in colors. The following are the subjects of the pictures:
EMBLEMATIC PAINTINGS.
"The fight on the river in front of Memphis on the morning of June 6th, 1862.
The landing of the U. S. gunboats at the foot of the bluffs after the battle, with officers on board to take possession of the city.
The scene of chopping down the staff on the bluff on the summit of which was hoisted the Confederate colors.
The scene of hoisting the Untied States flag on the Postoffice [sic] Building.
A locomotive and cars dashing along a railroad. One of the cars bears the inscription, "Appeal, for Dixie."
Emblematic painting of the Union. The Union typified by a beautiful woman with sword in hand, and bearing a shield on which is displayed the Stripes and Stars, and word "Union." She is attacking a couple of hideous copperhead snakes, one of which proclaims himself in favor of "A vigorous prosecution of peace." To which she replies; "not in your way." On the same painting, to the right, appears an earnest radical Unionist, who is slinging an axe with which he is cutting down a dead tree. On the remaining braches of the tree a few withered leaves still linger. The trunk of the tree bears the word "slavery." Among the branches a shrinking, terrified slaveholder is clinging with the death grip. Radical Unionist is exclaiming: "Now, if you don't' come down, I'll cut the tree from under you."
PROCESSION.
Band of music – Citizens carrying flags and banners.
Citizens on horseback. This part of the procession presented an imposing appearance, which was hightened [sic] by the graceful addition of some ladies appearing in the cavalcade.
The procession closed with a large number of carriages, ornamented with flags. Many ladies were among the citizens in the carriages.
MOTTOES
Among the mottoes displayed on the banners were the following:
"The old flag, with not a single star erased."
"Andrew Johnson, Tennessee's noblest son."
"The legacy; of our fathers shall be transmitted to our children."
"The 6th of June, a bright day in the history of our navy."
"The last ditch. Let it be the Gulf of Mexico."
"The reign of terror of the Safety Committee has passed away for ever."
"The Untied States has one Constitution, one history – let her have one destiny."
"The preservation of the Federal Government, in its whole constitutional vigor as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad."
"Washington Union Club (a splendid portrait of Washington on the reverse side.")
"[illegible] (Liberty, and with a brotherly love.") [sic]
"Ussers aremee and flotte, (One army and navy.") [sic]
"Be true to our country, and fear not."
"The Federal Union must be preserved."
"Omnipotence is with us, who shall be against us?"
"Our voice is for peace, but with the Union."
"Give us still the Government of our fathers."
"Our Government as it is, uniting republican freedom with National strength."
"The Mississippi can never secede from the Ohio."
"The thirty-four States, their number may be increased, but never diminished."
"The President of the Untied States, he must be sustained."
"This unholy rebellion, may it speedily be put down."
"The Star Spangled Banner! Oh, long may it wave!"
"England encourages disunion from base motives."
"Union is prosperity and happiness, Secession is ruin."
"Tennessee's star shall never be blotted from the old flag."
"Liberty and Union, one and inseparable."
"Tennessee was forced out; she will return willingly."
"If Kentucky – and who will doubt my love for her – unfurls the banner of resistance, I will not fight under it." (Clay)
"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
"Emerson Etheridge, Tennessee's faithful champion."
"The army and the navy, they have covered themselves with glory."
ESCORT.
The temple containing the young ladies was escorted by the National Union Memphis Guard. They were fully armed and equipped, and made a good appearance in their neat uniform. Of this company M. T. Ryder is captain, D. S. Ouden First Lieutenant, Joseph Tagg, Second Lieutenant.
COMMANDANT'S HOUSE.
When the procession reached the northern portion of the city, it was welcomed with the loud booming of cannon, fired at the navy yard by direction of the Commandant, whose residence on the promenade was beautifully ornamented with flags. Suspended from a cord extended across the promenade, was a splendid full-length portrait of Washington. The route on the programme was so far departed from as to pass down the promenade for the purpose of resting opposite the Commandant's house, where the band performed some beautiful music, and the order of route was resumed and continued until Court Square was reached.
EXERCISES AT COURT SQUARE.
Within Court Square, immediately north of the enclosure containing JACKSON'S monument, was the stand for the speakers.
The speakers and officers of the day mounted the stand, also the young ladies personating the States. The President of the Union Club, W. H. Fitch, Jr., took the chair and announced the order of the exercises, after which he proposed the following resolutions"
We, the loyal citizens of Memphis and vicinity in mass-meeting assembled, to commemorate the anniversary of the overthrow of Confederate misrule and despotism in our midst, do unanimously declare:
1.That we believe the existing rebellion is causeless, unjustifiable and infamous; that its suppression is a sacred duty, imposed through the Providence of Almighty God upon our generation, and that the whole moral and physical force of the Nations should be concentrated in the hand of the Government to accomplish that duty.
2. We cordially and emphatically endorse the action of Congress and the President in each and all the measures to crush the insurreciton and cripple its supporters.
3. While in theory we recognize a distinction between the Government and the men constitutional appointed to administer it, yet, practically, every denunciation hurled at the Administration now, [sic] is a stab in the Nation's life.
4. Men who profess loyalty to the Union, but unceasingly denounce the Administration and its war policy, are dangerous hypocrites, at heart false to the country, unworthy to be called Americans, and should be rigorously death with by the arm they seek to paralyze.
5. We are unequivocally and irrevocably, now and forever, opposed to all compromises and concessions to rebels in arms, and we believe that no permanent, honorable peace is attainable except upon the basis of full and complete submission throughout every seceded State to the authority and laws of the United States.
6. We heartily approve of General Hurlbut's Order No. 65, and earnestly hope that it will be rigidly enforced. People should not seek ease, comfort and protection away from their starving friends under a flag they openly ignore and inwardly detest.
When the resolutions approving the order of Gen. Hurlbut, which requires all citizens to enroll themselves, and the loyal ones to take the oath, were read, there were cries of "Good! Good!!" and loud applause.
The Chairman put the resolutions to the meeting when they were adopted with vociferous applause. On calling for the nays, a voice exclaimed: "They're not here!" a remark received with applause and laughter.
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Memphis Daily Bulletin, June 7, 1863 |
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