The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-03-29
Gle Tefil lUbio.
ELKTON. MARCH 90, 1862.
ParsOn BrOwniOw's Speech.


Parson Brownlow after his release by
the Rebels, delivered a speech in front
of the St. Cloud Hotel, Nashville, on
the 18th ms an. The demand for this
speech was so great that the Nashville
papers were not able to supply the
demand, and published it on successive
days:
GENTLEMEN / am in sad plight to
say much of interest; too thoroughly
incapactated to do justice to you or
myself. My throat has been disordered
for the past three years, aud have
been compelled to almost abandon public
speaking. Last December was hrust
into an uncomfortable and disagrceable
jail-for what! Ireoson Treason to the
bogus Confcdcracy; and the proof of hat
treason were articles which appeared in
the Knoruille Wig in May last, when
tie State of Tennessee was n member of
the imperishablc Union. At The expira-
ton of four weeks | became a victim of
the typhoid fever, and was removed to
a room in decent dwelling, and a guard
of seven men kept me company. sub
scquently became so weak that could
not turn over in my bed, and the guard
was increased to twelve men for fear
should suddenly recover and run away
to Kentucky. Becoming convalcscen,
in measure, was removed to my for
mer place of confinement. One day |
was visited by some Confedcra officers,
who remarked, Brownlow, you should
not be here. Take the oath of allegiancc
to the Confedera Government, which will
not only cntitle you to speedy release,
but insure your protection" 1" Sir !"
said |, before | would take the oath
to support such a hell-forsaken institu
ton, would suffer myself to rot or die
of old age"
Why, my friends. these dcmagogues
actually boast that the Lord Is upon
their side, and declare that God
Almighty is assisting them in the
fur herance of their neiarious projec'. -
In Knoxville and surrounding localities,
a short time since, daily prayer meetings
were held, wherein the Almighty was
besccchcd to raise Lincoln's blockade,
and to hurl destruction against the
Burnside expedition. Their prayers
were partly answercd-thc blockade at
Roanoke Island was most ehectually
RI scl reciprocal of their sacriege
dlvinely rendered.
Gentlemen. am no Abolitionist |
applaud no sectional doctrines / am a
Southern man, and all my relatives and
interests arc thoroughly identified with
the South, and Southern institutions.
/ was born in the Old Dominion, my
parents were born in Virginia, and they
and their antccedents were all slave
holders. Let Inc assure you that the
South has suffered no Infringement upon
her institutions The slavery ques ion
was actually no pretext for this unhoy,
unrightcous conAic; Twelve Senators
from the cotton States, who had sworn
to preserve inviolate the Constitution
framed by our forefathcrs, plotted rea-
son at night-a fit time for such a crime
and telegraplcd to their States des-
patches advising them to pass ordinances
of Secession. Yes, gentlemen, twelve
Senators swore allegiance in the day
time, and unswore it at night. a short
time since, | was called upon by little
Jew, who, l believe, is the Secretary of
War Of the bogus Confcderacy. He
threatened to hang me, and expected
no more mercy from him than was shown
by his il!ustrious predecessors towaid
Jesus Christ. entered into a long
correspondence with this specimen Of
expiring humanity, but from mercy or
forgctfulncss, on their part, | was per-
united to depart With all my documen s
in my little vallsc, which L hope to pub
lish at no dis ant day. Gentlemen,
when started on my perilous journey, |
was sore distressed in mind, and exceed
ingly so in body. Blu. the moment my
eyes encountered the pickets of the
Federal army my depression decreased
and returning health seemed suddenly
to invigorate my physical constitution.
Gentlemen, Secession is played out
the dog is dead: the child is born, and
his name is Jeff Davis, Jr.
My throat distresses me to such an
extent that | must decline further
remarks this evening, but shall make
myself heard upon the next convenient
occasion, which will probably be ere the
termination Of the present week.