Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1852-12-11
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY
JN0. W. & SAM'L B. O'BRIEN.
LOUDON:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER II, 1852.
From the Franklin CTenn.) Home Press.
Q9ice on Cedar Street, East of tLe Prblic .Sannrl

From the Franklin (Tenn.) Home Press.
Col. GEyTRY's SPEEcH.-The announcement
that Col. Gentry would address his constituents,
last Saturday, drew together very large crowd,
and we have never seen the Court House so
crowded to hear any man speak as it was on this
occasion. Satisfied as every man must be who
knows Col. Gentry, that no other than the high
est motives of patriotic devotion to his country
and the peculiar interests of his section. of the
Union, could induce him to stand aloof from an
active participation in a canvass involving
questions Of paramount Importance to the South,
and refuse to act in concert with his old politi-
cal friends and associates, the public anxiety
has been daily increasing to know from his own
lips the causes that determined his course in the
canvass Just closed. Hence we were not surpri-
sed that at an early hour of the day the Court
House was overaowing, and many unable to
gain admittance, had to retire without hearing
his speech.
Col. Gentry commenced speaking about ten
o'clock and spoke more than two hours. We do
not intend to attempt report of his speech, as
tits his purpose to write it out and print it from
his own notes, when we will publish it so that
such of our subscribers as had not the opportu-
nifty Of hearing it, may read and ponder upon it
at leisure. The speech contains many mighty
and important suggestions as to our true inter
ests, present and prospective, which are emf
nently deserving the attentive consideration of
every patriot and lover of his country. OF the
Speech although we differ in some points as to
opinions expressed by him, in the main, we Will
say that it met our most cordial and earnest ap-
probation.
As an effort of oratory, we have never listened
a speech more replete with E'thouglts that
breathe, and words that burn" 1t was bold,
chivalrous, impassioned vidication of his right
to think and act for himself regardless of party
dictation, and untrammeled by any obligation
other than those imposed by his sense of duty
81 himselG to his country and to ais constituents
That Col. Gentry has been steadily and consist
emily true to what he believed the best interests
of his constituency and his country, we think no
man who heard him will doubt. And we be-
ieve, when his course and motives becomes
generally understood, that the good men of eve
ry faith VIII respect and honor him, that he has
had the independence to rise superior to the
trammes of party, and proclaim his fidelity to
the Union and the institutions of the South.
In regard to his political opinions, Col Gen
try stands to-day where he has ever stood,
whig. He is a whig-not in name merely, as
we understand him, nor acknowledging his obli-
cation to follow the behests and submit to the
dictation of an irresponsible faction, that may
get the temporary lead Of the party. But a
whig, as every patriot should be, in subordina-
ton to the interests, the prosperity the glory Of
his country Who does not honor such man.
Who is not proud Of party, whose boast it ev-
er has been, and we trust ever may be, that its
members claim and exercise the right to think
and determine for themselves the course of pol
icy, which it is their duty to pursue, and refuse
to he led blindly by the nose in any direction
which it may suit the convenience Or interest of
the selfconstitutei party leaders to turn them?
Col. Gentry is sagacious politician, as well
as a bold fearless honest man. His political
predictions heretofore, have been verified with
wonderful exactness. We have witnessed the
truth and justice of his conclusions in regard to
future political Developments; and would it not
be well to wait before pronouncing any judg-
ment against him, to see if he is not right
oro;D7 Ha hos ,,avor dooo;vod he constituents
nor do we believe that he will now. His ante
cedents are all good, and we have an abiding
confidence in his sound Judgment and discre-
ton. There is no necessity for any whig to
make up hasty verdict against him. He could
have been actuated by no selfish motives in his
course. Col. Gentry was not then, nor did he
ever expect TO be, candidate for Office nor do
we know that he is now or will be again. All
his arrangements has been made with view of
retiring from the political arena. His inter-
ests demanded such a course, and he had felicit-
ed himself upon the prospect of retiring "at
peace with the world" Nothing could induce
him to forego his determination, but the belief
that it was his duty to his section of the coun-
try to again enter the lists in defence of its
rights. Col Gentry has always been national
in his feelings and policy. But if the political
issues of the day should assume sectional cast,
we believe that he will be found on the side of
the South. We trust, however, that the agitation
will now cease. It's in the power of the Pres
ident elect to put an eternal quietus upon it, if
he have the hrmness to resist the dangers by
which he is enyironed. We trust he may have.
In his efforts to effect this he will certainly re-
ceive Col. Gentry's earnest cooperation, as we
trust he will that of every southern whig mem
Der of Congress. While we know this of
Colonel Gentry, we do not believe that he ever
will be less a whig than he is now: With his