The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-07

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On Monday evenik large audience of both
! sexes, We're IN attertce at the City Hall, to
4 listen to discusslupon the all.obsorbing
I topics OF the day, ween the Hon. A. q.
. Brown and ex-Attok Gen. Freeman. The
appointment was major the former by his
southern rights friendbut challenging discus
! sion as they do, il waEranged that the latter
!, gentleman should redon behalf of the CON-
! promisers. The debdresulted as we antici.
! paied-trumphantl Rhe cause of the SouthD
/, Gov. Brown was alwala fayorite of the peo-
pie, and on this occaA. thew greeted him as
faithful champion of kr rights, deserving 10
DC greeted. The applaa when he arose to adj
dress them, was loud 4 long. And it was
frequently and rapturouf repeated during the
delivery OF his speech, brief and imperfect
sketch OF which, we heNith submit to the
reader:
j Gov. Brown said he reSnded to the solicit
alton OF few friends, an}should address his
fellow-citizens on the GRID question at issue
between the North and thelouth. Before turn.
ing his attention to the geAral subject, he de-
erred to correct very preyaht error into which
weli-meaning and honest ma had been led by
factious and designing politicians. Every means,
fair and foul, had been resor&d to for the pur.
pose of fastening the conviclpn on the public
mind, that the only issue between the opposing
parties in this State, was the iSue of Union OF
disnnion. He recognized no such issue, and
was party to no such contest Persons were
found tlayersng the county propagating The
idea that all who opposed tbe late mis-called
congressional compromise were enemies of the
Union, and were sedulousy 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
ectual faculties of man must be exceedingly
ottuse, 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 disapproyal Of the
compromise. The self-styled Union men say
they approve the measures of compromise
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.
If the friend, of the compromise succeed, the
North must needs conclude that no aggression
has been committed-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-
ceved. 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
g.. 49, ko..
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 il you say, EN-
phatically, you condemn and reprobatc II 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 presidents against you
in all after time, then approve what has been
done. If, on the other han +, you would avoid
the fatal influence of precedents 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 ad-
justment.
| have stated the main issue, and | have
stated 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 compromi-ers have thrown
down the untlet-for one, take IT mp. You
say you want my scalp-I say come and take it,
Already have thrown myself before my con-
stituents, and demanded their verdict on nv
past conduct, There are my speeches, and there
my votes stand by them, and defend them.
You say, for these, my country will repudate
me- ! demand trial OF the issue, and shall
abide the verdict, trust, with grace and dig
nity
Iprotest against being brought into court on
Il 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 disunionist. 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 nsade for such batch of
monstrosities.
Mr.. Brown said that he felt impelled by
suOnp Sense OF Justce 10 tue cOuiitry, w ueciaIe
that the question Of union or disunion, though
not the main issue, was yet an issue remotely
involved in the approaching elections. If we
succeed, The compromise will be condemned
the North viii be discountenaDced 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
foruyard In her mad career incrpa sinO 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,
fellow-citizens, no! From this point we shall
take new departure. We shall run at once
into consolidation, and ultimately into mon.
archy, or VIC shall attempt forcibe replevin Of
our lost rights--in which latter case, the sun Of
our Union would 90 down, fear in sea Of
blood.
A.. LII NJ. n.o,,.,, L. n