Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-05-25
Speech of Hon. N. s. Brown,
In the National Constitutional Union Convention
May 10th, 1860.
OF TENNESSEE.

OF TENNESSEE.
In the National Constitutional Union Convention,
Nay 10th, 1860.
In response to numerous calls, Mr.. BRowN OF
Tenn, came forward on the stand and addressed the
Convention as follows:
Mr.. President AND GENTLEMEN: Ihave risen, at
the instance of the delegation with which am con-
nected on this floor, TO participate in this joyous
epidemic If may call it SOL [Applause.1 Tenn
essee was determined, if she was among the last,
not TO be the least in the expression of her share in
the feelings of this occasion. There was dispose
ton among that delegation on account of the ante
ceuents of this Union, to leave far it could be
done to the Northern brethren the selection of him
who was to be second upon the ticket and assure
you that the nomination which has been made by
acclamation, has given more joy and satisfaction to
no delegation than TO the one from Tennessee. TAP
plause.
The name of Edward Everett is as familiar as a
household word to every man who has read the his
tory of his country for the last twenty-five or thirty
years, and if were ambitious know of no position
so worthy of ambition that filled or attempted to
be filled by the unsolicited acclaim of such an as
sembly as this There has been no solicitation, no
skirmishing, or arrangement II seems to have
been the instinct of this highly respectable and u-
telligent body, [applausel and with such name
this upon our ticker, how is it possible that the
people of the United States can turn their backs
upon this ardent and patriotic appeal? need not
stand here and attempt to depict who Edward Ever
EFT is. Go search the volumes of your history-go
back and read the hundreds of lectures that he has
delivered from time to time the United States
and win go further and say that in my Judgment
there is no man living to whom the American peo-
pie owe deeper debt of gratitude than to Edward
Everett. Renewed applause.
II was said by some gentleman who preceded me
that so far as human instrumentality has accomp-
lshed anything towards the organization of this
new movement Edward Everett stands pre-euinent
by his steady and nceasing appeals to the character
of Washington and his Farewell Address" and to
his whole life. He has produced an impression
upon the minds Of the people Of the United States
in the midst of dscord, that is as deep as their
hearts
The names of Bell and Everett / did not stand
here to laud John Bell, although know him we'll
Laughter and nppause.1 believe came near
committing rhyme then, although unlike my friend
am no poet. But we will bring poetry out Of this
yet. There is music in our "Bell !" il is good and
solid; It's clapper was never struck that il did not
ring loud and gloriousy [Applause] What has
been his career2 He has always stood on Mason
and Dixon's line; he has always stood upon the
centre of the Union of these States and if any man
ever proved his devotion TO his country it was he
In the midst of that direful struggle, to which we
all recur as the origin of all our troubles he stood
firm while Others receded. And he stood with one
hand upon either side of the altar, with the stars
and stripes in 'front.' meaning that he would stand
there and maintain the honor and peace of his
country or perish In the conflict Great Ap-
plause.1
He has been proven he has been tried, tried in
the fire, and say to you that more fit ticketcoud
not have been selected to represent viii no, say
our PLATFORM for too, have fallen out with plat
forms--no ticket could have been selected perhaps,
that would so fully represent the dignity Of that
expression Of opinion which il has pleased this
sembiy to make-the Constitution, the Union and
the enforcement Of the laws.
What does that implyY That fe Constitution
and the Union, and the enforcement Of the Laws
have been violated heretofore. Yes they have
been-their spirit has been set at naught The
country has had the spectacle Of two great, almost
equally dominant parties in the North and in the
South, struggling for the ascendency. One party in
the South containing in its bosom the element Of
disunon and the other party Ia the North, an ex-
preston offeeling upon certain nameless question
For promised when came here, ne ger TO call the
name Of that thing. [Applause.l
| am rejoiced, and thank God that I have in my
travels foand one Convention where that question
has not been discussed. Applause.1 For hereto
fore, and for five long years-0l how long they
have been TO me-a Union man all my life, despiS
ing sectonalIsm, and stamping upon local ideas OF
government have been 10 no Convention. At no
stump speaking, in no primary meeting for the last
five yeais until this good day but what Ihsye heard
that question rising In soms shape or form fos II
We did not talk sbout Il the Democnh would. II