Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-12-01
HARPERS FERRY RESURRECTION.

NOvemb eE, 26, 1859, on MR.. BayIeSS' resO
| luIi0ns, introduced Oct, 25, and print
| ed .B The Legislative Union and 4merI
! can, pages So and ST.
| Mr.. BENNETT. Mr.. Speaker: rise to give m,
views the resolutions pending. introduced b.
! the gentleman from Washington, Mr.. Bayless
! and wish TO do go in as brief and concise man
\ ner as possible.
1t is deeply be lamonted that on this occasion
this question seems TO take party turn and par,
ty complexion. | did hope, Mr. Speaker, that these
resolutions would pass without dissenting voice
from the representatives ofthe State of Tennessee
did trust that the resolutions pending which are
of such deep and momentous importance, should by
the Legislature of the State of Tennessee BE- passed
uuanim ously; and cannot conceive how it is rOs-
sible, when come to read these resolutions and
TO Understand them, for any living man in the stats
of Tennessee, of any party, to dfes upon the pro-
position embraced IL them.
Before enter into the discussion of the rssou-
tiJns. Mr.. Speaker, there is q remark which came
from an Opposition member yesterday afternoon
which wish to notice 1t was sn unfortunate re-
mark in nay humble judgment: / allude to 8 remark
made by the gentleman from Bedford, MT. Wise
nerl a member who has had my admiration and
respect for his heightened, manly, independent
course, ever since l made his acquaintance The
remark l refer to was that he had as much respect
for Mr. Seward, politically, and the Abcliton:sts of
the North as he had for Gov. McWilie and the fire.
eaters and eecessiontts of the South. / say la
nIsned that such remark as this should come from
the Representative from Bedford. occupying high
a position IS he does upon this floor, and enjoying
the high reputation throughout the State that he
does That gentleman should remember one thing
in regard TO the freeaters Of the Sonth, that not
one of them has ever set upon foot instruction
in any part of the Union; not 6re-ester has ever
yet, SIT, been guilty Of the high crime of treason
He should also remember that no hre-sster has had
unic IN he hal ha
insurrecion. l allude now TO the fact that the
traitor Brown made known to Seward his intention
to get up Insurrecon in the South; to lay waste
our cities in the South; to commit murder and all
the crimes known to the catalogue Of crimes. And
is it this Brown that the Representative from Bed
ford, upon the floor OF tie House, announces that
he loves, politically, we'll as he does the fire.
eater! Does any gentleman deny The fact that it
was made known TO Seward that there would be an
instruction set upon foot for the purpose of steal
ing from the South slaves; and dOeS any legal
gentleman. who has sltsned to any position in the
profession, deny the fact that this is treason
the highest crime known to the laws Of The land?
And how does Mr.. Seward receive this infor-
nation Why, he says, 81 regret you told me-"
Does he say. regret that you going into murder
and treason? Does he regret the consequences that
must follow No, no, not at all. g Do you re-
gret that Brown and his comrades intends to tear
down the institutions Of the South, to Gre hous
es sack chr fields and that wives and dsugh-
te be the victims of a serVile nsurrection?"
"Oh, no, have no regrets for that: just regret
you told me these things would be done. regret
that you have communicated to me the fact, or in
other words, l regret. Mr.. Forbes, that you know
that know the fact" tell you he treasured tres-
son in his heart and he was, in . moral point of
view, guilty of treason aud to-day is q traitor to
our great and glorious country As much trait
or Brown, who will be hung on the Cd of De-
cember next. Aud yet gentlemen on this floor have
Just 4luch respect for this for jeff Davis
"a man who marched at the sound of war, and no.
bly, sustained the flag of this Union on the field of
battle! Sir, have no regard for man who has 10
regard for the constitution of the Uaion As it vas
remarked by the gentleman from Haywood yester-
day afternoon, l. 100, can sympathise with fire.
eater who errs. have a sympathisipg heart, aud
can symPsthise with such as A. g Brown jeff |
Davis and others, who gentlemen the other side
cali re-eaters because if they it is in behalf of
The constitution Of their country and in their loyal
ty 10 it. They are light in the abstract. The con-
sIitGtion that was framed by Washington and his |
compeeTs, recognizes slavery and puts it down in
plain letters that no man can misconstrue and has
been recognized since the foundation of the Gov
ia guaranteed to under our rights as
expressed in the constitution. When John Calhoun
and other gentlemen who have represented US in |
Congress, a lawlsss baud of men banded togeth-
r for the purpose of destroying that noble and sa-
ere instrument, do not wonder that they 90 TO |
extremes. / eau sympsthise with them and have q |
feeling Of respect for them: but can have no feel
ng of respect for men like Sewabd, Hale and q |
arge class of the Black Republican party, who have
and been Aders and sbettors in the war
hat has been made upon Harper's Ferry, which is
It war with the constitution Of the United States
Inder which we live.
There is one other remark that ] will allude to
lere which came from the Representative fir, M the
county of Williamson, Mr.. EWipg.l The remark
vas this: that we talk TOO much about slavery
bat We agitate the slavery question too much |
es, sir; do you remember the cry last summer |
made by the Opposition party, that the slavery
question was little, small consideration ARitsr
ion agitation was the cry; the Democratic par
y we're sgitating for the purpose of leaving no
haRce for the discussion Of other questions. Lit
ls did the Opposition party think there was then
pon foot IN the North serVile insurrection: that
here was then plan ooncocting-s scheme going
n by which 1t was INTENDED to come TO Tennessee,
EsTyiand, Virginia, and perhaps other Southern
tates, to invade our soil and run off cur slaves.
.et gentlemen announce hereafter these facts
ave been developed, after Browns plans have been
iseloseo' after they are known throughout the
road length of The land, gentlemen get up and
sy don't talk upon the subjeot-dont agitate.
I'D you see' cir the other day, the deadly weapon
lhich was presented here that Brown and Seward,
is alder and abettor in those hellish schemes had
roposed for our slaves to in Staying indiscrim
nstely our wives end daughters Yet the cry is
lade, don't sgILate don't talk upon the subject
is strange indeed, that gentlemen lake the posi-
ION that 1t is not worthy Of consideration, re-
eat il is strange to me.
Now, gentlemen, understand this whole bust
ess think. Why, sir this il but foreshSdozing
D favor Of John Bell, of Tennessee, for the Presi
ency. John Bell for the Presidency, Why is it
hat the representative from Smith [Mr Pickett
nat gallant and able gentleman, is the lesder in
ais fight upon this floor! He is the man put forth
y that party-the man pressed forWard-and
lore eloquent champion you have not got since the
avs Of Haskell. Although differ with that gem
emsn in Poities-We are fri nds--I say be is
be man TO make the fight. But why is be the
ian Set forth Because he has all the eloquence |
an orator, and a man of decided ability. He
as once in the proud ranks of the Democratic
srty, and his eloquent voice was heard TO rever-
crate throughout the whole State in behalf of
emocratic men, of Democratic measures and of
smocratic principles. And another thing is be-
ause 1t is known that gentleman stands inimieal