Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-21
let no such man be trusted.
IApplause. Il


shall not follow the example of gentle
men in making protestations of my devotion
to the South or to my State. If my home,
my wife. my children, my property, my hon.
Or-all / most love and most prize-if these
are deemed insufficient guarantees of my
loyalty to Tennessee, and of my willingness
to share whatever of burdens or dangers may
be in store for her people, no empty declama-
ton in which might indulge here, would
be more satisfactory.
l will not say that am wholly free from
that shameful weakness which leads man.
kind to watch and follow the popular breeze.
No, sir, but if, at this time, with my convic-
tons OF duty, should bend before the an
CRY storm that is sweeping over my State, /
would despise myself, and bring dshonor
upon my children. 1 ,ciU not do il. I may
be overwhelmed. Such is the probable re-
suit. Be it SO. The cause is worthy of sac
rifce. In no event, however, though those
whose appreciation and good opinion, should
regret to lose, shall, on my return to them,
frown upon me; in no event, repeat. can /
be robbed of that richest of earthly blessings
the consciousness of having done what my
carefully informed judgment told me was
right.
Mr.. Speaker, the voice of passion is not
always the voice of duty, aud the public
good is often sacrificed to an unreasoning
liupulSc- DufIuR Tue SSCOHu TERM OI TeOERe
Washington as President, you remember that
the French Government declared war against
England, and it became her undisguised pur-
pose to draw US into an alliance with her in
her stupendous schemes of revolution. The
popular mind became excited. Sympathy
for France was enthusiastic, and threatened
TO sweep to- destruction every opposing senti-
ment, and to immediate upon the altar of pop
ular vengeance all, who dared to pause, ere
VIC Had tbair nj 80
tors in that tragedy of mankind.
Washington stood almost alone, vet he
TODD firmly. His cool penetration detected
the true character of the sanguinary assas-
ins of France. Rebuking faction from his
presence, spurning from him its venom and
lis vengeance, enthroned in virtue and con-
Seions rectitude, he breasted aud weathered
mt the storm, emphatically stood in the
breach, and saved his country from the curse
Of a wanton war with England, alike secur-
ing the peace and safety, and maintaining the
dignity and good faith, of the nation. When
passion had subsidized, the whole American
people commended his course.
Mr.. Speaker, because General Scott has re-
fused to give countenance to what his judg-
ment condemns, men who were
'sMewiIng and pukng in the nurses arms"
when he, amidst showers of bullets, led our
forces to victory at Chippewa and Lundy's
Lane-yes political fedglings, who were not
born for score of years afterward, are now
perverting his language, ascribing to him
opinions and purposes which he has emphat-
ically disclaimed, and denouncing him as s.a
traitor to the South.n
AS an American, having property in the
riches of this old soldiers glory, thank
God, that. as in physical stature, like Saul Of
old, he towers above any of the people .from'
his shouldaFz rrnx ord ,, 40 IN off ri
butes of virtue and integrity and patriotism,
he rises so inconceivably above his silly and
malicious revilers, their poisoned arrows fall
harmless at his feet.
But my time is nearly exhausted. I have
spoken freely, candidly-I will not say bold
ly-my honest convictions. 1t has been my
purpose, IL possible, to throw into this great