The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-09-26
Great Speech of Senator Browning.

OlOdt OpooCu vi O6uhbOf browning,
Hon. 0. II. Browning, U. s. Senator from
Illinois, recently addressed a large meeting of
his fellow citizens, at Quincy, Illinois. We
copy the following report of hisspeech from the
Quincy Herald, asking our readers to bear in
mind that Mr.. Browning is and has always been
a "Republican";
"Mr. Browning explained his position upon
the confscation question, and did it to the sat-
isfaction and approval of vast majority of those
who heard him. lie said that Congress had no
power to confiscate property, and that confsca-
tion was humbug. If the power of confs-
cation existed anywhere, it existed in the Pres
ident by the virtue of his office, as Commander
in-chief of our armies
The Constitution conferred no such power on
Congress, and heis sworn to support the Consti-
tuition. He could not support the confiscation
bill and Constitution too, so he supported the
Constitution and opposed confscation. Upon
this question he stood with the President. The
same was true upon the question of arming the
negroes.-He was opposed to arming them and
so was the President. He was for the Union
as it was, and the Constitution as it is. In the
utterance of these truly patriotic sentiments,
Mr.. Browning was loudly and enthusiastically
applauded.
Mr.. Browning denounced the aboltionists in
unmeasured terms. He denounced the aboli-
tion leaders in the United States Senate-nam-
ing Sumner, Wilson and others-as disIoyal-
traitors to the country-wild deluded, crazy
fanatics, who were bent upon the destruction of
the government He had no sympathy with
them, and had refused to cooperate with them,
and should continue to do So He had marked
out his course, and should pursue it.
1t mattered not that some of his old and per-
sonal and political friends had turned against
him-he was for the Union as it was and the
Constitution as it is and upon that platform
he intended to stand, though every dollars worth
OF property that he owned in the world should
be sacrificed or DESTROYED.
Hewas interrupted by an Abolitionist present,
who charged him with having gone over to the
Democrats.
Mr.. Browning responded that he was ready
to go over to the Democrats or to any other par
ty, or to act with patriotic men, to whatever
party they might belong, who were for the Uu-
on and the Constitution
Mr. Is. then asked the brazen-faced Abolition
ist it he would be willing to receive the South
back in the Union, with all their constitutional
rights if the rebels would lay down their arms
Tomorrow AS might be expected, the crazy
fanatic replied no-he would not!-he would
not be willing to receive the South back unless
they would first abolish slavery.
MIR. Browning said that was just as he sup
posed-these Abolitonists were not in favor Of
the Union and the Constitution, but would sac
rifice both and bring the liberties of the people
beyond the hopes of resurrection, if they could
but accomplish their wicked and traitorous de.
sign"
Another Abolition fanatic wanted to know
OF Mr.. b. whether he would vote in favor of
emancipating the slaves If he believed such
emancipation would put an end to the war
mo, sir" said Mr. b. II would not give such
vote, because have sworn to support the
Constitutions; under that Constitution we have
mop power to elnaucipate slaves" At this point,