It appears the good general is running amuck thruout the land. I surely hope he is having a great laugh at the stupidity shown. Yet the reality is that he must feel badly for the lack of knowledge not only of him but of our own history.
http://www.newser.com/article/d9la250g3/confederate-group-wants-miss-license-plate-with-nathan-bedford-forrest-early-klan-leader.htmlI will share with you my rebuttal of this trash in another forum, it goes as follows, it is a political forum byw:
http://www.civilwarhome.com/forrestaddress.htmhttp://www.freeinfosociety.com/article.php?id=184When asked if he was actually a member of the KKK, Forrest stated "I am not, but am in sympathy and will co-operate with them. I know that they are charged with many crimes that they are not guilty of."
By 1869, for several reasons, including fear of retaliation on the Tennessee people from the militia, who had been given the order from Governor Brownlow to "shoot down the KuKlux on site", it being well known that Brownlow called all southerners "KuKlux", Forrest asked the KKK to disband, stating "being perverted from its original honorable and patriotic purposes, becoming injurious instead of subservient to the public peace."
http://the-american-catholic.com/2010/08/06/nathan-bedford-forrest-and-racial-reconciliation/His speech:
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 God’s 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.
(Applause.)
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 don’t 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 I’ll 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.” (Prolonged applause.)
After the speech Forrest thanked Miss Lewis for the bouquet and kissed her on the cheek.
Then you have the authur give his opinion:
This type of familiarity between the races in public was almost unheard of at the time. Forrest’s 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.
Which I fully disagree with and why? To begin with its 150 years later and with so much PC about racism today and NB Forrest in particular excusing this speech as "probably motivated" and the kissing of the young woman on the cheek as being unheard of is just so much bs if you know or understand anything about the South or N.B. Forrest before the war as to the interactions between the races as a whole. BTW to head off any rebuttal I'll not make any future remarks. The links and the speeches stand on their own. The man was a person of his time and an Honorable person to boot. He needs no support from me. If you think otherwise then I feel sorry for you but nothing I say here will change your mind so say what you will.
I then came back and added this link:
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/editor/2006/02/nathan_bedford_forrest_rides_o.shtmlColonel Michael Kelley, CSA (228-762-2573)
Commanding, 37th Texas Cavalry (Terrell's)
http://www.37thtexas.org
"We are a band of brothers!"
". . . . political correctness has replaced witch trials and communist
hearings as the preferred way to torment our fellow countrymen." "Ghost
Riders," Sharyn McCrumb, 2004, Signet, pp. 9
I couldn't have said it better myself!
