re: Memphis mayor wants to dig up Confederate Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest and wife

This is a copy of a speech Forrest gave at his final public appearance, at a conference held to bring solidarity between the races. He made this speech despite facing scorn from his fellow white southerners.

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"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.) This day is a day that is proud to me, having occupied the position that I did for the past twelve years, and been misunderstood by your race. This is the first opportunity I have had during that time to say that I am your friend. I am here a representative of the southern people, one more slandered and maligned than any man in the nation.
I will say to you and to the colored race that men who bore arms and followed the flag of the Confederacy are, with very few exceptions, your friends. I have an opportunity of saying what I have always felt - that I am your friend, for my interests are your interests, and your interests are my interests. We were born on the same soil, breathe the same air, and live in the same land. Why, then, can we not live as brothers? I will say that when the war broke out I felt it my duty to stand by my people. When the time came I did the best I could, and I don't believe I flickered. I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe that I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to bring about peace. It has always been my motto 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, that 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. Use your best judgement in selecting men for office and vote as you think right.
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. I have been in the heat of battle when colored men, asked me to protect them. I have placed myself between them and the bullets of my men, and told them they should be kept unharmed. 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.):

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Forrest made some major mistakes in his life. The main one costing him of his reputation in the present time. However, he is not the monster he is made out to be. In his later years he made serious efforts to bring racial harmony the likes of which were more so than nearly any other white southerner. He completely distanced himself from the KKK as it took a direction he morally did not agree with. People forget these things, and it is a shame.

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Wharton said the graves of Forrest and his wife, also located at the park, should be relocated as well.

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Where at in the park? I gotta drain the main vein.

It is amazing the retards we put into elected offices.

If Forrest had known what Memphis would become, I feel sure he'd have chosen to be buried elsewhere anyway.

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You mad your people got lynched bro?

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You mad your people are slowing losing control of this country bro?

Not really. This country means nothing to me.

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Where at in the park? I gotta drain the main vein.

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It's in the middle of the Mississippi, often at high tide. You should check it out.

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You mad your people are slowing losing control of this country bro?

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LOL. It's hilarious you think that. Let's compare wealth, salary and entrepreneurship between us, shall we?