The Washington union., 1857-06-09

ing the later and fresher spirit Of the times up like
Dessax upon the field of Marengo 10 charge the yield
ing squadons Of whggery and the victory 70 the
old guard the brave old man might well have relaxed his
facial outline and felt in the obtanment OF his
hopes The man who the friend of State rights,
grsped the hand Of South Carolina when raised against
the federal government and still preserved his pop
ularity-who, the champion of hard currency,
knocked the United States Bank into eternal sleep,
and oled the rag baron of Andausia at single stroke
OF policy, and still retained his vigorous hold upon
the confidence abroad-had little 10 doubt his
ultimate triumph over all his enemies when he saw
the young he had long ostered and nurured at
home coming up in mastery manner TO his support.
The old whig party in Tennessee Notwithstanding all
this, party of numbers enthusiasm, and ability,
and among It's flower and chivalry presented such names
John Bell, Gusavus A, Henry, Neil y Brown, and
Ephraim H. Fosternames which everywhere within the
borders of the State stirred the enthusiasm of their pot
cal adherents Where the numbers so nearly equal
and in view of the fact that the State aernaed with
nearly eyeyecurrng contest from side TO the other
the democracy instituted the policy of fostering and nnr
turing the young of the party with careful hand
This policy obtained in eminent degree and the proof
of its saacty when the old veterans of the faith
halng upon the erutches of senity could no longer en-
dUre the atgues of active and there came
the young Durocs and BILIOUS of the party, who, what
ever they lacked in experience and management, made
up in ability and enthusiasm. Gov Brown was the es-
pecial pro6 of General Jackson, and the marked and
manly ligaments, which stand out in bold relief adorn
ing and iertzng his whole subsequent character, per-
sona and political but the strong and perceptibe re-
fections of that iron man and soul upon mind
plastic to his touch while living, and devoted to his
memory in death Like the Gecian youth in the portico
of the old philosopher Athens Gov. Brown learned
from his lips and beside his foot-stoo at the
retreat of the Hermitage, those grand old democratic
truths of which Gen Jackson always so communiea
tive. Stimulated by such incentives and impelled by
such Influences the reader will not fail to understand
why il is that Gov Brown has been for many years
of the most active leaders OF his party in Tennessee Like
lvanhoe in the castle of Front R9uf when he heard his
comrades laundering at the gates for his release, Gov
has allowed the influences OF retirement TO inter-
ie with his duty to his party but at whatever time his
efforts needed and the voice of the democratic CEN
trail committee invited him to the field there remains no
instance to be recorded by the writer of his having refused
to go forth and meet the battle shock.
In 1889 Governor Brown first became candidate for
Congress against the Hon H. ]. Shields, who had been
twice elected in that district by maoes ranging from
eleven to twelve hundred votes. Mr. Shields gen.
tleman of fine talents and approved capacity as de-
bater but after the election had passed Off it found
that Governor Brown had not only overcome the large
majority against him, but had actually gained nearly six
hundred votes In ls4l he reelected without OPP
position Beginning his congressional career in 1882 and
ending it in lS45 he active working member du-
ring that time both in the committee room and in the
hall and upon all the great questions of public policy
had under adyiseen during that portion of eventful
history he prominently before the people states
man and orator, who had the willing ear OF the
House, well the grateful confidence of the coun-
crafty hocus-pocus and with especial reference to
himself so rcapportioned and genymandered his con-
gressional district greatly to diminish the dem
ocraho preponderance and whilst the nice scheme
cavening its authors invited the Hon Neil Brown,
at that time the soul and mbodment of the whg organ
Iaon in Tennessee and who afterwards sent across
the water with the diplomatic rband utering from his
breast minister to Russia to take hold OF the golden
gucrdon for which his heart had long fevered, and
which they had prepared in the lne of their wits In
pursuance of the invitation he entered with alacrity and
zeal into the contest and measured ances with his foe
to the last day of the which brought defeat
to himself and chagrn to his friends This of
the closest contested elections witnessed in State
where parties have for many been nearly equal and
where nothing but the port and bearing of the democratic
nominee his personal popularity, and the fact that he
was and is to-day. the most dexterous trough and
ready debater in that State out of it, could have ri
umphed the Skill eloquence and enthusiasm of his
distinguished competitor.
In repeating again the limited scope of this off hand
portaiture simple recital of of the speeches deiv
cred 10y Governor Brown whilst in Congress will our
present purpose Some time in May, ls4o he replied at
length, to Mr.. Bells introduction of the bill to secure
the freedom of elections He also delivered speech
the celebrated New jersey case having been member of
the committee which reported the His effort in the
House upon the burning of the Caroline was listened to
with the prooundest attention. and circulated and
read by thousands all the country with the deepest
emotion Upon the committee which framed the tariff of
AZ he united in the minority report and opened the de-
bate the democratic side of the House In August,
1871 Governor Brown spoke against the fiscal bank bill
in 1914 the remission Of the fine imposed General
Jackson at New Orleans against receiving and reporting
abolition petitions, and likewise upon the right of mem
bers elected by general ticket to their seat but in
December, A, that Governor Brown made his great
speech in reply to John Quincy Adams upon the negoa
ton of the Florida treaty On the 18th of March, A,
chairman of the Committee Territories he reported
bill to extend the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the
several courts of Iowa the Territory of Oregon and
the session of Congress- he reported bill for the
organization of the territorial government of Oregon,
which passed the House by very decided majority.
Gov Browns congressional career terminated upon
James K Folks investiture with the presidential robes
and leaving the national metropolis with the hope of
curing that retirement and repose reuyenang to the
wasting energies and solacing to the fevered brain of
him whose life has passed in the service of his country he
had scarcely reached his home in Tennessee before the
of his nomination the democratic candidate for
governor reached him Wasted in strength and out
with care his of obedience to his party overbore the
invitations to retirement and, without hating between
opinions he at repaired to the theatre of conflict
The of all against him. and the polt
ical horoscope of the democracy was drawn with black
hncs Unused to murnur, he gave himself freely TO the
contest President Polk having twice failed to carry the
State for governor and having lost il in his presidential,
canvass the hopes of the democracy everywhere
dispTted Col Foster, his whig competitor man,
too of ability TACT and popularity, and the prospects
of Governor Brown and his friends gloomy enough
The opened however, and the old political feeling
began to resume its accustomed exoitabity. Like st.
Xavier ringing his bell amid strange cities and calling
upon the wayward multitude, Governor Brown went be-
mocracy mistakng naticism for the voice Of sober
/ fxin on