Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-26
Etheridee,s speeck !.

The Cincinnati Gazette (LINCoLN,) is in ecstaces
with ETHERIDGE S late speech. Itsays:
The Hon. Emerson Etheridge of Tennessee made
a speech in the House of Representatives yesterday
which, for boldness, for power, for patriotism and
for elOquence, has not been exceled. The position
of tins of the South is in striking contrast with
that of the driveling demagogues who pretended to
represent the Democracy of Ohio in Convention at
Columbus yesterday. We rejoice that IS IN our
power to send out in the same paper report Of the
speech of Mr. Etheridge and the proceedings of the
Democratic Convention. The people Will strike the
difference and make up the verdict
From this time the name of the Hon. Emerson
Etheridge of Tennessee will be warmly and favor
ably canvassed in connection with Mr.. Lincoln's
Cabinet.
The Geographic correspondent of the Commercial
(LINCoIN) says
1t has been another exciting day in the House.
Emerson Etheridge, of Tennessee, made grand
speech for the Union as it is. As an argument, it
was perfectly u3answerabe and Overwhelming.
He examined, one by one, all the pretexts for dis
union, and proved them all fnsy, shadowy and I'M
substantial He said the seeding States had gone
out because of imaginary evils, which had never
taken place, and never would take place if they
had remained faithful to the Union, and their Rep
resentatives had not ANONYMOUSLY deserted their
posts. He defended the Republicans against false
charges of violating laws and unfaithfuness to
constitutional obligations. He showed That all our
most fertile ana valuable Territory .laQ Dcen &C
qured at the demand of the South, and the North
had paid the bills. He mercilessly ridiculed the
secession of little Florida, which could hardly de-
fend herself from the algators without the aid of
the Federal Government. lie showed how the North
had helped the Snnth acquire TaYaS another PmPino
dotted all over with negroes, which now proposed
to secede. Every acre OF the most fertile regions
of the continent was already in possession Of the
South, yet they demanded more. The cotton States
declared they wanted no more territory, but more
negroes, and must have them, from Congo and Da-
honey He drew sublime picture of the glories
and advantages of the Union told the seceders this
was the Union that was to be destroyed On such
weak specifications as personal liberty bills and I'M
possible protection of slavery in imaginary Terrific
ries, which no Southern man was yet to found to
introduce bill in Congress to effect He said to
the South, you need expansion, and if you did,
you couldn't have it, until you had repealed the
laws of emigration and population which gave new
territories to free labor" Etherdge exposed with
thrilling effect the fasehoods propagated all over
the South, about Hamlin's mulatto BIRTH &c.
The speech was gall and worm-wood to thesils-
uniOnist. Etheridges reply TO Leake's question-Un
which side he was speakIng?-" am speaking on
side which has few champions on this foor-on the
side of my country was crushing, and drew out
loud and irrepressible applause. His Grafton was
in the highest strain Of patriotic eloquence, and
electrified every auditor He said If the worst
come to the worst, and Tennessee was dragged to
the fatal precpice of disunion, he would go with
sword in one hand and a torch in the other and
fight to the last breath for the flag of our common
country. Eheridge's speech clInches all the nails
Clemens drove yesterday. If such speeches had
been made weeks ago, they might have prevented
many evils which have happened.
1t is understood among secession leaders here, that
Jefferson Davis will be elected President of the Pro-
Visonal Government TO be established at MOntgO m
cry Ola the 4th proXimo. 1t is thought by reason
able Southern here that if the majority of the
free States send Commissioners to meet Virginia
here the 4th proximo the border States may be
kept in position Overwhelmingly for Union.