Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-09-06
John ReIlsS Speech at Knoxville in 1861
FOFeiguerS and Catholics.

On the 22d of September, 1855, the Know Moth
ings of East Tennessee held mass meeting at Knox
vile. ANDREW ]. DoNELsoN, MEREDITH p. GENTRY,
JOHN BELL, MAT. MARTIN and GEORGE W. LYLE were
present and made speeches. We were at Knoxville
at the time attending the Supreme Court, and
heard the speeches made by these gentlemen The
speech of Mr.. BELL was afterwards written out by
him for publication and printed IN the NdSbUale Ban
aerof October 21st, 1855. 1t also published and
extensively circulated in. pamphlet form. We hare
copy IN Our possession IN that form 1oeR in on,
files of tie Bonner. From that copy we made the ex-
tract which we published in our History of Mr..
BELL "as connected with the public service" We
are informed that of the supporters Of Mr. BELL
in Louisiana arc denying that he uttered such
sentiments Mr.. BELL will not deny it and his or
gans here will not deny it. If any think charge
that those extracts garbled or mis:epresent Mr..
BELL in any way, call upon his friends to repub-
fish those extracts in connection with the context
so that we and his friends may where the injus-
tice is done.
The Knoxville Register of September 10th, 1855,
then Know Nothing organ, edited by JNo. NJ.
FLEMING. now prominent BELL man in East Ten
nessee reported the proceedings of the Mass Meet
ing of the 22d preamble and series of resolu-
tons were adopted. The first, fourth aud ninth res
outions were as follows:
First. Americans to rule America, by which Is
meant that Americans shall make and execute our
laws and fill all offices of honor and profit both at
home and abroad.
Fourth Hostility to the assumptions of power by
the Pope of Rome through his Bishops, Prelates,
Priests or Ministers of the Catholic Church as ANU
Republican in principle, and dangerous TO the hoer
ties of the people,
Ninth Onr National Administration by its general
course of official conduct together with the PaPal
power of this and other countries, deserves ana
should receive the united condemnation OF the
American people.
The Register in its report thus speaks of Mr.
Bell:
4" Hon. John Bell whose name is tower of
strength to cause. neNtappeare0 upon the sIahu
and entered into a calm vet bold. mastery and fear
less defence of the American party, but threaten
ing cloud coming up suddenly he was forced 10
deter his remarks and the crowd dispersed Al
night brilliant display of transparencies sgnallzed
the egathering of Sans forces in front OF the Court
House when Col Bell resumed his speech. His en-
tire speech was more than two hours IN length ana
we regret that our space will not permit more eX-
tended notice. We are assured however, that we
will vet have the pleasure Of publishing it, and then
we hope that every voter in the State VIII ponjer
well his arguments.
They who charge John Bell with 'luke-warnlness
in the American cause do both the cause and tle
man injustice. We have not YET nearu d ihCiS "O0
and jealous defense of the American principles IN
every particular than his. After defending The party
on THE FoEEIGN AND CATHOLIC POINTS, he dwelt with
great ability upon the slavery question With eye
compasses the nation at glance and the sagaclty
VI 'lle true statesman, WHO rests not with the APP
pearance of the present but contemplates the pro-
uaOte events OF the future he hesitated not in de-
alllT tte american party TO be the true party for
every Union loving citizen of America"
g. W. LYLE, Esq Of Chattanooqa wound -, tho
oall with lew pointed and appropriate REMARKS.
after which, Sam" repaired to resi- ie'''i MS