Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-08
LEBANON, Tenn, Feb. 6. 1861.

LEbANON, 1Cuu, L eD U, lOO1.
Mr.. EDrroR:-Last Monday was day long
to be remembered by the sovereis rs of the
good old county of Wilson. twss County
Court day. EARLY, crowds of the people
might have been seen coming from the North,
the South, the East and the West. They had
heard that great events were TRANSPORTING
they felt that their country was in peril.
Anxious to place themselves firmly upon
the side of right and their country. Such an
opportunity to do so, as that which would be
afforded by hearing her representatives dis
cuss the questions of the day could not be
forgone. At an early hour our little town
seemed to be full to OVERLOOKING; but the cry
was, "still the ycome."
At something like IL o'clock, however. it
was announced that speaking would take
place in the Court House. And Immediate
ly the tide of humanity set strongly for that
point, and soon the large and roomy Court
room was filled to overfowing-many sought
admittance, but found no entrance. JOSIAH
S. MoCLAIN, an old and tried citizen-who
has been called upon to serve his countrymen
in The present critical state of affairs, arose
and proceeded to speak to them.
Though, having never been accustomed to
making public speeches, for real glowing,
heartfelt eloqneuce, sound logic. and fervent
patriotism, that speech has seldom been
equalled. Next arose Hon. JORDAN Stokes,
and though the most of that vast concourse
had been standing for more than one long
hour, they budged not, unless it were to
raise themselves upon tip-toe as they greeted.
by applause, that distinguished gentleman as
be took the stand. As the speaker proceed
ed, however, the excitement died away, and
such silence and attention as then followed
him through the whole course of bis remarks,
fall to the lot of the fewest, of that great
number who essay to talk to the people from
the hastings. He spoke for near two hours.
Surrounded as he was by bis countrymen,
his constituency, be spoke to them as one
who had served them well.
The fervent, patriotic appeal be made to
his countrymen to stand by the " old ship"
will not go unheard. 1t was altogether
grand effort--the best of his life. because,
wrapped up as he is in the salvation of his
Country, MS Soul Iuliy nKeu upon IL, LIS
words were as the :" fire and The hammer
which breaketh the rock in pieces.n The
Uuion cause, The true cause, the cause of our
country. has no greater advocate than the
Hon. Jordan Stokes
Col VIM. l.. Martin was the next to take
the stand, and in brief speech proceeded to
state his position. Col. Martin is a warm
hearted and clever gentleman, and goes his
length to serve his people in the best manner
possible. He was against secession and CO.
ercion, but thought we must have a settle
meut. He explained his course Ia the Legis-
lature and then closed.
Col John K. Howard then took the stand
and though considerably wearied, the crowd
could not leave until they had heard him.
The Colonel is by no means an ordinary
speaker. He chained his audience for an hour
in an eloquent speech. Embracing the doc
trine of compromise upon the Crittenden ba-
sis. yet interspersing his remarks with fire.
brands of Southern ardor, calculated to hasten
precipitation, and consequently did not please
the majority of the audience.
The ball was wound to a close by few
remarks from Col. 4. z. Thompson, which
savored too strongly Of Yanceyism to suit
any except the too extreme. Thus ended the
grand consultation and come what will
let the waves of devastating revolution
sweep over her valleys and her hiIi-tops, or
the bright Sun Of Prosperity gid her harvest
ields--she will be found true 10 her rights
and true TO her country. -.