The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-02
Ffem ne JMississPpiam.
Discusslon betucon Ex-Gov. Brown and Cen.

DASCUSel0M O0tUo00 1X-6ovs bFOWH anu W.
On Monday evening large audience of bot
sexes, were in attendance at the City Hall, t.
listen to a discussion upon the all-obsorbiDI
topics of the day, between the Hon. A. g
Brown and ex.Attorney Gen. Freeman. Thu
appointment was made for the former, by hi
Southern rights friends but challenging discus
sion as they do, it was arranged that the latte
gentleman should reply on behalf of the com
promisers. The debate resulted AS we antici
pated--trumphantly for the cause Of the South
Gov. Brown was always favorite OF the peO
pie, and on this occasion, they greeted him rs
faithful champion Of their rights, deserving to
be greeted. The applause when he arose to adj
dress them, was loud and long. And 1t was
frequently and rapturousy repeated during the
delivery Of his speech, brief and imperfect
sketch of which, we herewith submit to the
reader:
Gov. Brown said he responded to the solicit
alton of few friends, and should address his
fellow-citizens on the great question at issue
between the North and the South. Before turn
ing his attention to the general subject, he de-
sired to correct avery prevalent error into which
well-meaning and honest men had been led by
factious and designing politicians. Every means,
fair and foul, had been resorted to for the pur-
| pooC VI iootCuHS tuc tOuVlCtIuI VII Iuo puUtlc
mind, that the only issue between the opposing
parties in this State, was the issue of Union or
disunion. He recognized no such issue, and
was party to no such contest Persons were
found traversing the country propagating the
idea that all who opposed the late ms-called
congressional compromise we're enemies of the
Union, and were sedulously engaged In the un-
hallowed work Of pulling down the Constitu-
ton and government of the country A con-
siderable portion Of the newspaper press, and
especially the Wing press Of the State, was en-
gagged in the same work. He would not Judge
others harshly, but he must say that the intel
lectual Acuties of man must be exceedingly
obtuse, who, having examined the issue before
the country, pronounced it simply question Of
Union or disunion.
Mr.. Brown said the issue presented to the
country was, approval or disapprova of the
compromise. The selfstyled Union men say
they approve the measures of compromise--the
Southern rights men say they disapprove of
them, and advocate adequate and reasonable
measures of redress--and on this issue we 90
before the country.
| Ii the friends of the compromise succeed, the
| North must needs conclude that no aggression
has been commtted-no injustice done We
shall have given her deliberate assurance that
we are not only satisfied but, in fact that we
are well pleased with the treatment we have re-
| ceived. On the other hand, if the Southern
rights men succeed, we shall manifest our dis
appreciation of what has been done, and give as
surance, in the most emphatic and authoritative
form, that our quiet and hearty acquiescence in
like measures of legislation, in all after time, is
not to be relied upon or anticipated.
| Is it more likely that the North will pause, in
her onward and overbearing march, if you APP
prove what has been done, than if you say, en-
phatically, you condemn and reprobatu it? If
you desire to have the admission of California,
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Texas, and the unau-
thorised interference Of slavery in the District
of Colu nbia drawn into precedents against you
in all after time, then approve what has been
done. If, on the other han', you would avoid
the fatal influence of presidents like these, then
let yor voice 90 up to Washington in thunder
tones, announcing to your oppressors that you
condemn, spurn and despise this Wanted adj
justment.
| have stated the man issue, and | have
stuffed it fairly, said Mr. Brown. There are other
collateral and less important issues and among
these, is the question as to whether those of us
in Congress who opposed the compromise shall
be sustained in the coming election, or whether
those who supported that measure shall bear
off the palm. The compromises have thrown
down the g untlet--for one, | take 1t up. You
say you want my scalp--l say come and take it.
Already have thrown myself before my con-
sttuents and demanded their verdict on my
past conduct. There are my speeches, and there
my votes stand by them, and defend them.
You sny, for these, my country will repudiate
the. demand trial of the issue, and shall
abide the verdict trust, with grace and Dig
nifty.
> ,t bn,,, ,.xlt g.
d charge of misdemeanor, and then placed on
trial for high treason. You object to my course
in Congress, and already your organs announce
my certain defeat, and then you propose to try
me on charge of being dsunionist. Afraid
of your own approval of the compromise, you
seek another and foreign issue, upon which to
try the strength of that measure before the
people. For shame, gentlemen, do not shrink
in confusion, from your own darling measures,
but stand up and defend them like men-if in
deed defence can be made for such batch of
monstrosites.
Mr.. Brown said that he felt impelled by a
strong sense of justice to the country, to declare
that the question of union or dsunion, though
not the main issue, was vet an issue remotely
involved in the approaching elections. If we
succeed, the compromise will be condemned
the North will be discountenanced. She may
stay her hand, and leave US in the quiet enjoy
ment of our constitutional rights, and thus save
the Union. If our opponents succeed, the North
will be encourage. She will assurcdly press
forward in her mad career, increasing in inso-
lence as she grows in power, until she will tram
pie upon our rights with the bauteur of des-
pot. When this state of things is brought about,
think you the Union can be preserved! No,
fellew-ctizens, no! From this point we shall
take new departure. We shall run at once
into consolidation, and ultimately into mon
archy, or we shall attempt forcbe replevn of
our lost rights--in which latter case, the sun of
our Union would go down, fear in a sea OF
blood
Am !, said Mr.. Brown, to be denounced rs
disunonst, and traitor because have abored
by night and by day, to avoid one and the other
of these sad alternatives! All my efforts have
been di ected to the great work of perpetuating
the Union, and as best means Of accomplishing
this work, have sedulously labored to keep
down the increasing power, the grasping am