The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-04-09
GEN. LANE ON ANDY JOHNSTON OF
TENNESSEE.

In the course Of his disgracefu submission
speech in the United States Senate, weeks
since, Andy Johnston, of Tennessee, alluded to
Gen. Lane, the gallant old Senator from Oregon,
in a way that brought out that old war horse in
this wise:
The Senator, on that occasion, looked at me,
pointed in my direction, and made remarks not
becoming Scnator-remarks that have too often
been made on this floor, and that no gentleman
would make. He said he had struck treason a
blow The mighty Senator from Tennessee struck
treason a blow! 10 whom did be allude? He
said he saw the commotion on this side of the
House; he saw the books being brought in, he
saw that was to reply to him. Sir, if the word
treason was to be applied by him, or any other
man, to me, l would say, you are a coward, who
cannot maintain it. Sir, l cannot express my con-
tempt of the man who would so insinuate even in
thought 4 drop of treason never ran in my
veins. At an hours notice, when working in a
corn field for the support of my family, when l
heard that Indiana had been called for troops,
offered my services, and did not look upon my
family from ten minutes after had received the
notice until had gone throug IN bloody battles un-
til | had carried home with me the evidences Of
my devotion to the Union. Does the Senator dare
to charge treason upon me? l think not, for no
gentleman would have the temerity to do it. 1
might 90 on, and say that entered that service
was mustered into the service as private and [
came home out OF the service with the rank of
Major-Gcnera in the army. [ earned it on the
battlefield On the battlefield lost almost the
last drop of my blood, without murmur, in the
service Of my country. Who, then, is he that
would dare have the efrontery to charge ME with
treason to my couutry-a country which | have
loved from infancy, which my father fought for,
and which have never failed to fight for myself?
never will fail to meet the foe of my country, or
to bleed in her cause, while [ am able. Though
my arm is not strong as it once was, though my
limbs may not be supple elastic, in youth.
| am yet able, when my country shall need my ser
vices to offer them and I shall be the first to do
it on any just occasion, but never against one of
the States of this Union, who has left it because
justice has been denied to her. No, sir, never
Then, sir, whom could the Senator from Tennes-
see refer to? Could he aude to my friend
Davis? Sir. I saw him the battlefield. I
was looking right in his face when he was wound
ed. l saw shudder pass over him as the bullet
struck him, precisely at the side end of his spur,
and passed through the centre of his heel. There
was perceptible simply shudder, but not MUIR
muir; Just shudder for the instant, when struck
by the bullet; but for a moment did he
lose sight of the enemy or the flag, but struggled
on through the battle to the end following the
glorious stars and stripes-that emblem of the
Union-that emblem of protection to every State
Of the Confederacy under the Constitutions gal
lantly ever did mortal man; and yet upon this
floor there some base enough to allude to him
traitor. Mr. President, have not words to
express my contempt for any that can apply
such a term to such a man as Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis traitor Treason applied to
him He, the purest and bravest of patriots He
fought for his flag and country when the towards
and poltroons that dare villify him were su-
pinely at home He will live gloriousiy when
they under the earth and forgotten. Sir, this
"treason" of our seeding brethren does not fall
within the definition given by Hudibras to that
crime, for the South fourishes and prospers. The
people who have seeded from the Union, and
have formed Government Of their own are chare-
ed with treason. will tell the gentlemen they
will have more than ordinary difficulty to contend
with when they invade the rights of that Govern