Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-12-26
A Row Among tho Faithful. Speech
From Frank P. Blair.


 Eryni Frank P. Blair.
 Frank r. D.air was serenaded in St. Louis on the evening of the 18th ult., and made speech He said:
 I have never, like some gentleman, al- lowed myself to dispair of the safety of the republic and the triumph of the Un- ion; and never will dispair of them because some individual happens to be dlsappoh- ted The safety of the country does not depand upon any one man. One man cannot save it, nor can one man subyert It. It rests upon the people and am flrmIiy convinced that they can and wlll uphold 1t. '.
 presume, my friends, that this compll- meDt has some reference to recent events in this city, in which took an active part. On that subject I will say that l have no regrets to express, and no apologies to make. 1 had none to make in the presence of armed power and in bonds; and what ever might have been the issue ot the af- fair. no threat or force could have rung from me an apology or concession. w nat I did" l did from sincere desire to serve God and my country, and believe faith fllv served both. have the satisfaction of knowing that the administration approv- ed my conduct, and am convinced the nation will approve 1t also.
 As to the newspapers in this city, in the pay of the quartermaster's department, that have been bounding after me, 1 have but little to say. If the Republican is a unlon paper, as it proposes to be, It IS due to the fact that one of it's proprletors was arrested at Camp Jackson and made to take the oath ofalIegiancc; and if there is any merit in ifs conversion to Unionism, 1 am entl- tied to share of the credit. And If the proprietor of the Republican captured at Camp Jackson should again become dlSloy- al. it will be owing to his release from his oath by late stipulation for the brave men of Mulligans Brigade
 As to the Democrat, hardly give it thought. It told So many lies in my favor, in the past, that I suppose 1t is trying now to get even, by telling as many against me- But Idonot believe it will elong enough to balance the account But, gentlemen, l will not prolong my remarks; but agaln thank you for your kindness, and bid you adieu.
 Mr. Knapp, the gentlemen alluded to by Colonel Blair, replies as fellows in the ot' Louis Republican of the 2lst ut.
 A PERSONAL CARD.
 Referring to the report of 9 speech, de- livered Teusday night, by Col. r. r Blair, Jr. have to say that the p:ragraphw Inch alludes to me is false--aAd Col. Blalr knows it. True I was ''captured at Camp Jackson" and Col B. is welcome to all the honor he vauntinSly claims for his par ticipation thereill--my own judgement hold ing the advisers of the attack upon Camp Jackson as guilty of the murder ot the thirty or forty innocent persons who tell on that day-but have never been made to take the oath of allegiance, . and never had any, the least, restraint placed upon my political sentiments.
 Equally false are Col. Biair's inuendoes with regard to the hypothetical case of my ogaiD becoming disloyal. never was dis loyal On more than one occasion 1 have refused to accept a release from the parole I dia take, { a copy of which was publish ed at the time, on terms that could, by any inference, be construed into an admis- sion that I had been hostile to the union, or at enmity with the Government. twill not acknowledge that l am, pr ever have been, identified with the southern rebellion; and Col. F. P. Blair shall not assert the contrary, even by hint or vague insinnation, withont being stigmatised by me as a'mal- icious falsiter.
 JOHN KNAPP.