Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-10-24
The Bell Dinner a. Carthage.
For the Nashville Patriot.


CARTHAGE, October 90, 1866.
Saturday last, Messrs. Editors, was ''good
time" for Americans, Wings and Fillmore
Democrats, (for we've got lots of them) in
Smith. The Hon. John Bell came here by in
vitation, to dinner given him-and nearly
everybody else came, as the invitation was to
all. very large procession was formed, COM
manded by Col II. B. Mcdonald, and marched
ont to meet our distinguished guest. The i'm
mense crowd sho wed great enthusiasm as they
gave shout after shout for FILLMORE, Donelson
and the Union and cheer after cheer for John
Bell.
Col. Bell was conducted to the stand about
IL O'Clock, by Gen. Cullom and Col. Sam. NJ.
Fire, when Cullom made stirring little speech
that very much reminded US of other days,
when Cullom himself W as regularly in the field.
After which COL Fite welcomed and intro
duced Col. Bell with the following very appro-
pirate remarks:
COL BILL: There has been assigned me by my fel.
low citizens, the agreeable duty of extending to
you a cordial welcome to Smith County hospitality.
Feeling the inefficiency of my own language to eI-
press to you the exalted position you hold in the
minds Of this people, would ask you to look upon
this vast crowd, drawn together by the power of
your fame as an orator and statesman, that they
may hear your sage counsel on the great Issues Of
the day.
When We cast our minds back over your long
and distinguished career, as statesman we are at
loss upon which one OF the bright stars in your
crown OF glory, to FIX our attention for the brief
moment that can be appropriately consumed by me
on this occasion. From carly manhood, until time
has crowned your head with silver locks you have
been almost constantly in the councils of your coun
try, and for many years past, you have occupied a
large space in the public eye.
II is we'll known that it has several times been
your fortune 10 the discharge Of duty, to meet the
6ercest opposition of the powerful; and on one
memorable occasion to dc that which requires more
courage than to meet foe in deadly combat i
refer to your action on the Nebraska. Kansas Bill
And, sir, / must be permitted TO say, that the
statesmansbip that foresaw the evils, aud the pa
trlotc 6rmness that sustained you in separating
yourself from the mass Of your Southern colleagues,
Compromise, has always seemed to me the most
glorious deed Of your life. Behold the scene. Here
was rendered 70 the South. by willy Northern politi-
clans, Douglas Pierce, ct id Omne gems, what seem.
ed to many boon to the South. The South caught
by this Trojan horse, eagerly seized upon it and bore
(, IN triuunnh wiAhiD her uaIio R,fv
the evil and that whilst il was worthless to the
South, it was breaking down a solemn compact con-
ceived by the mind and heart OF the great Clay
and sanctifed by time. And which, with that 9th.
err great peace measure of 1850, wrought out and
carried through by the same noble patriots, aided
by yourself and other distinguished compatriots,
have stayed the terrible slavery issue and perhaps
would forever but for It's repeal On the one hand
stood the crowd Of your Southern colleagues with
q few eIceptiOus) to whose opinions you were
bound to yield respect; on the other was the clear
light Of the convictions OF your own mind, warning
you away from the repeal. Then metbinks see
you rise in the Senate Chamber, with all the digni
ty and frmness OF Roman Senator, and pour forth
stream Of eIoquence and argument warning them
Of the fatal sequences Of the deed.
This act Of moral courage and real staipsman-
ship, alone finds its parallel amongst modern poll.
ticans in the patriotic stand taken, and bold de-
nunciations which candidate for Vice President,
hurled In the faces of that Assembly Of plot,ers
against the Union, who met In the city OF Nash.
vile 10 1850.
But, sir. IN spite Of Jour warning and that Of
the gaIlsn, little band who acted with you, the
deed was done--ihe noble work Of Clay was de-
mOIished and the fatal consequences are upon US
The fertile plains Of Kansas are nov red with fra
terDal blood. CisH war stalls almost unchecked
over that lair land. And unless soon checked by
the election OF Presidsn. Of great moral courage
and conservative principles, must embroiI the whole
Republic. Sir, the undsniabs auabors Of this state
Of things. the Democratic party. has he eiifoBissy
70 ask Of the country renewal Of their power foS
fosr years longer. And IhIs When The people have
before them s.sssahaa Who has been tried In per.
ilous iimss and safely, harmoulopsly aud giO'oosy
conducted The sLlp Of Rtale 70 tbs almost sn,ss
satisfaction Of 81 msn 81 I'll psfllss. The mssd Of
praise 30 eerdialy bestowed on Me- FillmoFs a, the
Gloss u hls administration, q standing relalailoa
o. lbe petty ISLANDERS Of hIs good nsms, new daily
heard nom men ssshIug tbelf own promotion