The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-10-03
Speech of Hon. W. L. Yancey, at Knox
vile, Tennessee.

In the Register of the Goth, we find a
lengthy sketch of speech delivered at Knox
vile on the 18th inst, by Mr.. Yaneey, during
which he was Intercepted concerning views
in the event the election of Lincoln-where-
upon lively scene occurred, which IS thus
reported by the Register
At this stage, voice, Mr.. Manly, asked,
what would you do if Lincoln was elected
President?
Yancey. Come upon the stand.
Mr.. Manly came up and took his seat.
Mr.. Yancey said he received twelve years
of his education IN New England, and there
learned the Yankee mode of answering ques-
tons, and said to Mr.. NJ. I'll answer your
question by asking another.
Manly. Ask it.
Yancey. Who are you in favor of for Pre-
sident z----=-----
Manly. John Bell.
Yancey Will you endorse what John
Bell has said on breaking up the Union
Manly. Said he had propounded the ques-
ton at the request of others.
Mr.. Yancey asked their names. A note
was handed to him signed S. r. Rogers, VIM.
Rogers, John NJ. Fleming, w. G. Brownlow
and o. P. Temple He called out the names
of these gentlemen and requested them to come
on the stand with him. After some little
delay they appeared on the stand as reques-
ted.
Mr.. Yancey asked them who they were in
favor Of for President. All answered-John
Bell. He then repeated the question he had
propounded to Mr. Manly, and requested an
answer from each.
Col. Temple Said Bell had always been
Union man; though some Breckenridge
men by garbled extracts from his speeches
sought to create a different impression. Thus
recognizing Mr.. Bell he was prepared to en-
dorse his position properly construed He
did not mean to charge Mr.. Yancey with gar
bling, &c.
Yancey. Said he did not suppose any
gentleman would try to insult him on the
stand, and he did not regard Mr.. Temples
remarks as applying to him, or he would have
replied in different manner.
Mr.. Brownlow. In answer to the ques-
ton said, yes, and added propose when the
Secessionists go to Washington to dethrone
Lincoln, am for scizing bayonet and FORM
ing an army to resist such an attack, and they
shall walk over my dead body on their way.
S. K. Rogers endorsed Mr.. Brownlow's
position.
j. NJ. Fleming. If Mr.. Bell had been in
terrosated on this point, he would endorse
his answer.
When the question was asked VIM. Rogers,
Mr.. BrownloW said, we all answer in the afIir-
native.
Yancey. asked him. suppose he knows
better than you, unless you have agreed on
stereotyped answer.
NJ ho,,a - L.
ted into your League.
Yancey. Moor you would have been
better Southern man.
Mr.. Yancey then read an extract from John
Bells speech (the extract published a short
time since in the Register and said-Now,
gentlemen, will answer your question, and
answered it in the following words !
now proceed to answer this question, al
though unable to perceive in what manner my |
future act in Alabama can in the least degree |
affect your votes here on the question of the |
election Of President.
By an act Of the General Assembly of Ala |
bama, passed last winter, it is made the |
duty Of the Governor in the event a Black |
Republican shall be elected President. in |
certain period after he ascertains it go DAYS |
believe,) 10 make proclamation of the fact
and that an election shell then be held by the
people to elect delegates to a convention of
The people of the State, which convention will
consider what the sovereignty and wrongs
lone the State requires at its hands.
As l said to you in the earlier part Of my
speech, am States Rights man--believing
n the right Of State to command the alIegi-
nee and obediance of its citizens, and there
ore that my allegiance is first due to my
State do not believe in exercising the in
Iividual natural right Of rebellion, until both
ate as well as Federal Constitution are bro
zen and my rights destroyed. If the Federal
Constitution shall be broken and DESTROYED by
he usurpation of Higher Law faction, nv
ight to resist is subordinate to my allegiance
0 my State Constitution. As an iniividual.
beyefore, shall not rebel against Stcb an dec
io for that scottd be rebellion also aqasr,st MAJ
,ca State authority. But whatever course
alabama may take, that course | shall be
onnd by as a citizen, and if it is to acquiesce
shall do so--ifitis to secede, shall cast my
'rtunes with that Of the State. If the Con-
ention shall see fit to go into consultation
nth the other States and act as they agree. 4
shall abide by that action. If shall decide |
/, demand new guarantees for its rights. he
IRE it will remain longer in the Union. shall
cuuiese in that In line, as am bound nv
!, shall Iaequiesce in all that my State NAV
ecide to do.
If my State resiSts, | shall go with her, and
| meet this gentleman (pointing to Mr..
rownlow. marshalled with his bayonet to
pose US, I'll plunge my bayonet to the hin !
rough and through his heart, and feel NO
for the act and thank INV God {
country has been freed from such q foe y
his man forgetful Of his nativity, had uttered
ltricidal sentiments Of hostility towards men
the South who differ with him npon their :
sws Of their rights and the time and manner /.