Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-05-24
BIZ W. A. LEE AND HUGH WILSON, JR.
FREE SPEECH v1ND1cATED..s1NGING OF
THE MARSEILLAISE HYMN

The MARSElLLAISE HYMN.
At midnight, last evening, one of the
most astonishing occurrences, that ever
transpired in New y *, took place in
Broome street, near Wallacks Theatre. A
frenchman, one of four or five that 90
about the streets singing different songs,
happened to select the MasssilIaise, for the
edificasiou Of some.sparties who hailed in
Crosby street. A gang of sixteesfor seven
teen Abolitionists, four of them in military
uniforms, rushed across from Mercer street,
and commenced Kissing, hooting and abus.
ing the poor vocalist, with the bitterness of
savages. There were only FIVE of his pa
irons by. He tried to 60 on, with the
most soul.stirring song Of liberty ever COM
posed but perfect storm of misses pre-
vented him. Exasperated by the nngene-
rous and unca!led-for demonstration, he
plaintively protested against the harshness
used toward him: Me be Won free French
man. he said, me always sing di Mar
seilIaise in Nj York, and never no one
make me stop before. Fly you do dis ting?
Napoleon rules you not It's no crime TO
shpeak Won word for liberty
We'll, we don't want id South
ern hymn chanted in these Streets said
tall, lean New Highlander, bolder than his
fellows.
- That, SIR replad stalwort, powerful
man, one OF the five that engaged Frencby
rs the MarseiIlaise, an air welded TO words
which all freemen reverence
'We haint got no objection to the air
ITSELF replied one Of the opposite party,
but the rebels down South make it their
national anthem, and we look upon it as a
Southern tune. and it shan't be sung under
our noses, that's all.
You dare not interfere, you narrow
minded bigot,' cried the big man, be oming
warm; see here, fellows he added, turn
ing to his friends, stand by this poor for
eigner, singing song Of freedom, and the
first tyrant or tyrant's tool that raises a
hand TO harm him, will see stars That's
the talk responded the four individuals;
who came up from Crosby street, and that's
what you should have said an hour ago;
now let them ere lank uigger worshippers
come on, If they feel like il, and d.if we can't
make them dance to the Marseiaise, there's
no Democrats left in Gotham
Thus awed, the Republicans fell back,
eachsof them muttering that people had
better mind how they talk secession hate
I'VE do not talk accession, sirs,' answered
another spokesman of the Democrats. I'VE
speak for individual freedom. Liberty was
the motto on every banner raised instbis
city-in this hation-until our Abolition
President was elected. Who has since
heard in public Il word about freedom9 At
what public meeting, since your Captains
famous Proclamation, has 'liberly' been ad-
vanceda On what late OCCASION las. an
American dared to say one Syllable for lpeo:: :.
PIES r'ghts' Anagew you throw the mask
to the groutld, ahds come out IN your true
colors. You would not heat Southern
Hymn as you call it z
Several 9oices-'No, we would mol
speaker-'Then, what hymn do you
want2 .
All Republicans-'The Star spapgled BaG!1
ner.'
Speaker-'Why, that, too, is Southern
hymn. 1t was written by a Southern man
set to music by Southern man; first sung
by Southern man.
The Republieans-'Ws don't believe
speaker-'Besause your intelligence and
education, like your patriotism, are only
skin deep. tell you what shy is correct.
Why, there is not fire enough in Northern
.blood to give life to songEof freedom.
Even that banner Of the stars, which. You
rant SO much about, vas .oonceNsa BY a
Southern man, first 'mauuGs!dfsd hys a
Southern man. and first f'ew. .6sn = soaih.
er" flagstaff. This took place when: IS your
fathers we're probably sellius,cattis ie the
British army, that it might otaah out the
rebels Of aich one George Washington
Was ths, Chief. He, too, wassa aouihern
man. slsbt old Benedict Arncldtw was not a
s6uthern man. He who sold bis SSuntry
and esiraysdhis aag was New Eoglaudsr
|s-'n spirit and feeling the prototype Of
yax. who now spit upon conntshanl OF
va 'ye',e, beeaese.iis Prea,bA sentiments
too lofty forsour cramped esseep5
Down with the rebak sdowa. With Tiu;,
|sgiya him 6ts,..let Us hayeyIils down. and
such phrases salutedsHe q kd tbs,spsakes,;
tnt already he etisss haa become l Il .sasp
The. .Aye lom Crosby iasSsi had. d.bsssnh 4ssnu.. z.
forced spd tst eaihus;ssti0 nabaer, Il, Is
which the eloqpent Dspoersia batjsied 81.
opponents gained lin hos. pf ;aadmira.ss