The daily Wabash express. (Terre-Haute, Ind.) 1857-1867, 1862-06-04
Parson Brownlow's "Last Dying
Speech and ConfessiOns

Parson Brownlow, in his recent speech in
Boston, alluded to an address which he had
prepared for delivery on the scaffpld when
he expected to be hung in Knoxville. The
danger was imminent. Several Union men
had already been executed, and the infu
rated troops in camp AMI in the liquor shops
abe ut the town were clamorous for the blood
of the Parson. Under these circumstances he
prepared. in prison. the remarks which fol
low:
Fellow countrymen, am shortly to be
exeruted-not for any crime punishable
with death. but for my devotion 70 my coun-
try, her laws and constitution. | die for
refusing 10 espouse the cause OF this wicked
rebellion and glory in il. strange as you
NAV think il. | could have lived if | had
taken an oath of allegiance to this so called
Confederacy. Rather than stultify myself
and disgrace my family BY such an oath,
agree to die 1 never could sanction this
Government, and | must trust that no child
of mine will ever do IL. Look at the past
history Of the leaders and originators of this
Rebellion. There Is not 4 man OF IN
stained character to be found among them.
Yancy Is a convicted murderer, who killed
his uncle DIR. Earl, Of South Carolina). and
instead of going 10 England to intrigue
against this Government he would have
been in prison had he not been pardoned by
the Governor Of that State
wigfall, a Confederate Senator and a
General, fed from his native State OF South
Carolina to Texas TO escape the horrors of
assassination, became a collecting attorney
| for large amounts. and then swindled his
employers Out of their dues numbering "a
many a. two men in Texas.
FLOYD, while Governor Of my native State.
was guilty of swindling the State ont OF
some thirty thousand dollars of the Wash.
ington Monument Fund. entrusted To his
care. while in Buchanan's Cabinet. in viola
ton of his oath, no stole. besides large
amounts Of bonds. the guns. forts, and am
munition of the Federal Government. to aid
in carving out this Infamous rebellion.
SIIpKLL. another intriguer. who never bad
| An honest emotion of soul in his life, assist
al. while in the United States Senate, 10
| pass through Congress that great swindle OF
| the age, the "Houman's Land Grant "A
swinde so gigantic and cheat 30 enormous
| that the next Congress revoked the grant
| BENJAMIN. your Secretary of War. Snd one OF
| tho men engaged 10 deceiving me, was ex
PEELED from New England College for steal
ing money and jewelry out Of the trunks OF
| his fellow students, he Afterwards got into
the Senate from Louisiana by turning from
! A Wing 10 n Democrat and became the part
ner Of Slidell in the Humans .swindle.-
Thompson, the Mississippi member of Blu
chanan's cabinet. while Secretary OF the In
terror, was a partner in stealing some nsian
Trust Bonds. and. when about 70 be dismiss
ed for the offence, fed from the Federal cap
n
Cobb, the Georgia member Of Buchanan
Cabinet. speculated in stocks. using Govern
meut money. and was detected in it-and al
this was az a time when he was acting undel
oath. a. the head Of the Treasury Depart
mcnt Davis. your President, after has State
had borrowed millions. led the way in "a,
work Of Reputation and in defranding Mis-
sissippis honest creditors Toombs the bil
man Of your Government AZ Richmond, wai
the confederate Of Kcitt and Brooks, u
their attempt 20 assassinate Sumner. Swan
your Congressman from this distric., and Al
original Seccssionisf. i the forger of IN.
johnson letters TO Lawrence. with a view 4
swindle the latter out Of ten thousand dollars
These and a host OF Others like them are IN,
men who originated and are carrying on thi
Southern Rebellion. Ought not any sstes
man prefer 10 hang rather than act with sucl
men n a wicked crusade against the mill
sway Of the best Government on earth
But must close. solemn ui3ashii
die with confidence that the United State
Government viii crush out tbs rebellion du
ring the coming spring and summer. Mar
my rrcdicilon' | would like to be livins
when ths; Is done. bat ! must resign mysel
10 nv fate
have a word 20 say as il regards my fam
iy leave wife and seven children Q
the mercics Of cold hearted world. hop
the Union men Of the country VIII be kin
70 them. and try 10 impress their minds vii
What IS true-that they are not disgraced
but honored by my death. Let me b
shronded In the folds Of the Star Spaagle
Banner. and let nv children's children kno'
that the last words | uttered on earth were
Forever Scat that standard sheet
where bresthe< The Zoe that slb before =
VITA Freetora's sell beneath cur feet,
And Frecaom's banner ing o'es a.
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1 o. -. -. - - - q.