Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1855-12-28
SPEECH OF
Ex-GOv. NELL s. BROWN,

On his Bill to provide for the erection of Statues
of Gen. Washington, Gen Jackson, Jt,nes
KnoT Polk, and Hugh L0Wsor White,
Delivered in the House of Representatives Dec 49, 1885,
The bill originally introduced by Gov Brown,
provided for marble statues Of Washington and
Jackson, 70 be placed in inches of the Capitol He
afterwards offered bill in lieu, providing for a
bronze equestrian statue Of Washington, and mar
BILE statues Of jackson and Polk.
Mr.. Huntington proposed TO amend the bill in
lieu, by inserting, after the name of Mr. Polk, that
of Hugh Lawson White, which amendment was
accepted by Gov Brown.
Mr.. Armstrong moved to amend the bill in lieu,
by inserting, after the name of Judge White, the
following: John Sevier-the Governor OF the State
of Frankland-the Hero OF the Battle Of Kings
Mountain-the first Governor Of the State OF Ten.
nessee-the Pioneer Father of the State" which
was adopted by the House.
The original bill and the bill in lieu were then re
ferred TO the Committee Oh the State Capitol, and
that committee recommended the adoption of the
bill in lieu, after striking out all the names after
shat Of Mr.. Polk
Mr.. BFowS, of Davidson, mr. Doneson in the
Chair said be should not detain the House long
for the reason that two former occasions he had
occupied more than his share, perhaps Of the time
Of the House, and he was beginning to regret that
he had ever introduced the subject especially since
il had produced considerable division of opinion.
Had he supposed it would have 40 resulted, be
would have bestated, however anxious he WAS to
be the instrument Of doing honor TO great public
men, and to celebrate great public virtues. But for
this, he would not have taxed the House with any
proposition Of this sort; but the bill had now be-
come the property Of the House, and while he was
anxious it should pass in some worthy shape, it
would be for Others TO say what that should be,
and what prudent and right He had at the
6rst introduced the bill, not knowing what was the
feeling OF the House, and just to bring the subject
up. On reflection, he thought he had found the
original bill exceedingly defective It did not place
the characters embraced in the proposition in the
light which he would wish them handed down to
and he considered that, while doing a
thing of this kind, it became exceedingly proper
that We should take in those characters who have
been distinguished above other men in our own
State Of Tennessee.
He would consider for a moment the characters
embraced in the bill which be had substituted, and
which was now before the House. As 70 General
Wa shington, his character and fame we're dear to
The hearts Of all his countrymen, as well as to Ten
lesseesns; and as 10 Gen. Jackson, he, too, was a
national man, but peculiarly the property aud glory
IF Tennessee. He considered that Mr. Polk had
Decuer claims upon us, having been for a long
lime q public man IN Tennessee, and Afterwards
President of the United States. And others, well
Is himself, seemed to think that Judge White had
similar claims upon US. II he had never been Presi-
lent he was once prominent candidate for that
high Office, and received large majority of the SUI
RACES OF the people of Tennessee. There was a
broad line Of distinction between these and other
men, Had any other man in Tennessee ever been
President or run foc President? He was from the
irst, disposed TO stop there with this distinction,
Ind 30 he was nov.
There were two men in the bill about whose
,laiLas there could be no question; and there
wo others-one having been President, and the
'ther occupying large place in the public conf
icnce and regard. By retaining the names of Mr..
Polk and Judge White in the bill, we could not be
accused of making an invdious distinction The
friends Of both these distinguished Sous of Tennss
zee, would thus not only be satisfied but grAtifed.
They were both eminently worthy this mark Of dis
lnction at the hands OF the Legislature OF Tonnes
sec They were, il may be said, rivRls-the leaders
of the two great parties into which the State was
divided and they had warm and devoted friends IN
sVery county, who survive them TO cherish their
good names, and 10 emulate their sterling virtues,
aud this Legislature should do nothing which would
wound the feelings OF these friends
BY appearing TO discriminate between their former
eaders. We must however, stop sOmeWh here, and
{ vas conceded that Presidential honors bestowed
upon good men, would make broad line OF distinc-
ion; aud IL necessary TO stop somewhere,
his broad distinction would enable TO pass
through the list and leave out other names without
invidi0uA he would ask il there was
not much reason in thisg How many men ia Ten
sixty years old-had been President
IF the United States or prominent before the people
or that high once? only three Of all citizens,
nave been thus honorcd Two attained the ONCE,
4 a.. ~ - -. L.
majority. He did not think any could point
10 single individual nov living in Tennessee that
sas at al Ikely 20 become even & candidate for the
Presidency. Tennessee had had her share Of Presi.
Dental honors. A number Of the States Of the
Union have never furnished President. Tonnes
zee ought to DO proud Of her public men, lad her
claims upOO the whole country in this respect
Nov, 90 take in these four rnen could not in the
east disparAge any other man. Il did not dispsrage
iOv. SEWER. he revereneed the memory Of John
SEWER u did pot dspArage Felix Grundy. Mr..
srandy vas the most eloquent man he bad ever
aeard In tennessee. Il did nOt disparage Gov.
Carroll man ior whom, though differing with
him In politics be ever cherished high regard. II
Gid not disparAge Gen. COTE, who bad also doae
ZreAl service 70 the State. Nor did IL dispsrAge
nv other great man Who had leh such footprints
ipon this Commonwealth as Woald live 10 the alice
ions Of her people forever.
Here were ipur Gen who bad been President, or
received the vote Of Tennessee Tor President What
distance there between the General Of an
rmy and the President Of the United Siaies--the
iistancs was Unreasonable We we're 10 the habl
u calling the Presidency Of the United States the
highest Office 10 the world. The Emperor Of Russia
occupies the highest ofi.ce 10 his kmplre; bat be
vas born 10 that Distraction. The Queen Of Great
Britain was also born 20 her exalted position. The
Emperor Of trance owed bis distinction 10 accident
md Is remained yettO be seen whether be deserved
T. These persons we're greet In their uay. They
Dressut 70 the eye Of shs ~orld their several gor
ssous displays. Their voice = potent, and their
lover as q God over all their people. The Elspe.
or speaks aud al are quiet and fall dewn and aay,
Long live she Emperor" Bps your President q !