The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-11-20
PARSOS BROwALUW's FAREWELL
AOOnESS.

PARSON BROWALOW'S FAREWELL
AODnESS.
The indomitable Parson Brownlow has q
length fallen beneath the power OF his secession
enemies. His last issue bears date, Oct. rs, snt
contains bis farewell address, in shich be state
tie has been indicted by toe Grand Jury of th,
Confederate Court, holding it session at Nash
vile, and his arrest and Imprisonment determin
! ed ON. he Gays he presumes be could 20 tre<
by taking an oath to support the Codiederats
Government, but that be vii not do; or hs cou 4
give bonds to keep the peace towards secession
but neither will he do that, nor suffer bis friend.
| 10 do il. Stimulated by Q consciousness of up
rightness, he will submit 70 Imprisonment anG
end bis days in jail, before be will submit to
make any humilisIing concession. He then says
l have committed no offense-I have nol
shO0idered arms against the Confederate Gov.
erhmeht, or the Stale, or encouraged Others to
do SOL have discouraged rebellion, publicly
aud privateiy-l have not assumed hostile stli.
tude toward the civil or military authorities OF
this new government. But have committed
grave, and really fear unpardOuable ofenses
have refused to make war upon the Govern.
ment OF the United States; have refused to
publish to the world false and exaggerated &C.
counts, OF the Q, veral engagements had between
the contending armies; have refused to write
and publish false versions OF the origin OF this
"sr, and Of the breaking up of the best Govern.
ment the world ever knew; and all this will
continue to do, it it cost me my life. Nay, when
agree to do such things, may . righteous God
palsy my right arm, aud may the earth open
AID close in upon me forever.
The real object Of my arrest, and contempls-
ted Imprisonment, is to dry up, break down, ST.
I0NC0 6psfr fhul l.as apA L. Yc:o
lett IN The eleven seeded States, and thereby to
keep from the people OF East Tennessee, the
facts which are dali tran'piring in the country.
After the Hon. JEFF. Davis had stated in Rich.
mond, IN q conversation relative tO my paper,
tnat he would not live in q government that did
not tolerate freedom OF the Press after the
Judges, attorneys. jurors, aud al others filling
positions OF honor and trust, under the per
nanent Constitution, which guarantee Freedom
y the Press; and after the entire press of tie
South had come down in their thunder tones
upon the Federal Government for suppressine
the LOUISVILLE Courier, and the New York Day
Book, and other secession journals-I did ex
pect the utmost liberty to be allowed to one
small sheet, whose errors could be combatted
6y the entire Southern press! 1t 10 not enough
that my paper has been denied q circulation
through the ordinary channels Of conveyance in
gether, or its editor must write and select only
such articles a. meet the approval of pack Of
10 Knoxville, when their superiors in
all the qualities that ad0rn human nature, are in
the Penitentiary of our State! And this 10 the
boosted liberty of the press, in the Southern
shall in no degree feel humbled BY being
cast into prison. whenever it is the will and
pleasure OF this august Government to put me
Lnere but, on the contrary, shall feel proud
Of my confinement. shall 90 to Jail, as John
Rogers went 10 the stake-fOr my principles |
shall 60, because l have failed to recognize the |
hand OF God in the work of breaking up the |
american Government, and the inaugur alton OF |
me most wicked, unnatural, aud uncalled for |
war, ever recorded in history. 60, because l
nave refused to laud t. the skies the acts of ty-
amy. usurpallon and oppression, inflicted upon |
me people OF East Tennessee, because OF their
devotion to the Constitution and laws of the Gov.
'rnment, handed down to them by their fathers,
md the liberties secured to them by q war OF
even long years, OF gloom, poverty, and trial
repeat, sm proud Of my position, and of my
principles, and shall leave them to my children
Is legacy, far more valuable than q princely
ortune had the latter to bestow!
vii. only gay in concusion-for am not al.
owed the privilege to write that the people OF
ms country have been unaccust0med to such
srongs; they can yet scarcely realize them
hey are astounded for the time being with the
Iulck succession of outrages that have come
poE them, and they stand horror.stricken, like
nen expecting ruin and annihilAtion. may not
we to see the day, but thousands of my readers
''ll, when the people Of this once prosperous
ountry, will see that they are marching by
quick time," from freedom to bondage. They
'ill then look these wanton Outrages upon right
nd liberty full in the face, and my prediction is
hat they will stir the stones Of Rome to rise
nd mutny." Wrongs less wanton and outra
eOus, precipitated the French revolution. Cit.
tens cast into dungeons without charges Of
rime against them, and without the formalities
q trial by jury, private property con6scated
the beck of those in power the Press hum
led. muzzed and suppressed. or prostituted to
erve the enemy Of tyranny! The crimes of
ouis XVI, fell short of all this, and yet be lost
is head! The people of this country, down.
'odden and oppressed, still have the resolutions
their illustrious torefathers. who asserted their
ghts At Lexington and Bunker Hill.
Exchanging, with proud satisfaction, the edit
rial chair and the sweet endesrments of home
'r cell in the prison. or the lot of an exile,
ave the honor to be, &C.,
WILLIAM G. BROwNLOw,
Editor of the Knoxville Whig.