The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-11
Emerson Etheridge's speech In NASH
vilie---lts Reception.

Hon. Emerson Ethcridge. Clerk of the House
OF Representatives, having returned to his home
in Tennessee, in company with Gov. johnson,
addressed the citizens Of Nashville on the eve
ming Of March 2sth. His speech was ultra I'm
ion, yet was received with the hcartiest appro-
baton. A correspondent Of the N. Y. World,
writing from Nashville the next day, gives the
following account Of the speech and Of its re-
eeption
"The hall was crowded the enthusiasm be-
yond all our anticipations. Two bands alterna-
ted in patriotic music. Mr. Etheridge was in
troduced by Hon. Vim. II Polk, Of Columbia.
brother OF the deceased President Polk, and
one of the staunch and steadiast Union leaders
Of the State. lie said Gentlemen, have the
pleasure-ycry peculiar under the circumsan.
ces-of introducing to you distinguished
Tennesseean who will tell you, rs he ought to
tell you in the language of glorious old llicko-
~, this Union must and shall be preserved
Hon. Emerson Eiheridge.'
Mr.. Etheridge was greeted with rapturous
plaudits. His sarcastic, witty, and vigorous
speech deserves u careful and orderly report
linclose one, but the crowded condition OF our
columns may forbid. Certain points, howey-
iety, will remember for you.
II there can be such thing, this was an III
ira Union speech-a fact worth noticing. For,
10 say the TRUTH IL the sentiments Of this speech
are digestible-are palatable In this quarter, we
may we'll have hope Of Tennessee.
Mr.. Etherilge called a spadea spade. lie
made this rebellion against this Government
look about as odious, disgusting and detestahle
as loyal lips can describe il. lie put ON the
canvas, Tennessee before the rebellion, and
Tennessee SINCE lie turned the eyes OF the
attentive upon this picture, and then upon
that.
He proved, what seems to need proof IN Ten
nessee even, that the South had never asked OF
the North an act Of legislation that she did not
get, and had never protested against one that
was not defeated. lie exposed the silly little
pretext of Northern Interference with Southern
institutions.
But the huge thing Of the speech was its dec
laration, in this proud slave capital. that when
ever the question arose, the Constitution or
slavery, slavery must 20 down-that every ne
gro would be liberated. lie declared emphati-
cally that slavery would never be allowed to
embarrass the United States Government, or to
prOtract the war.
These sentiments were announced emphati-
cally and explicitly. and were received with as
much enthusiasm as they could have been in
Boston. turned TO a gentleman by my side
with the old remark, the world moves And
il does.
Mr.. Etheridge said also that this war had
made more abolitionists than oil the thirty
years. anti-slayery agitation, and that slavery
could never have the security II once had in this
country. With the wh,le civilized world against
1t, the Government OF the United States had
sheltered and protected it.
He said slavery was much more easily defcnd-
ell as permissiyc than as an aggressive thing.
You have got to live in the Union with your
slaves il you will, without them IL you must.
He specified the nations Of the earth that had
abolished IL. He proved IL an outlaw. These
points were put and pressed with fine force and
frankness-with frankness that as,onished me,
accustomed as | have been to the public reserve
and caution on this question Of questions in the
South country during all my life.
Make a note OF this. Tell 1t In Gath. ruo-
lish il in the streets Of Askelon. Let the histo-
rian take memorandum OF II.
Etheridge il n stakeholder. SO are hundreds
of others in this State who breathe freely and
talk frankly upon this importunate Banquo's
ghost of negro bondage. This war is working
reyiyals. II is the John the Baptist Of ciyiliza-
ton, crying in the wilderness of the U. States,
Repent, return reflect, for the kingdom OF CO.
lumbia is at hand
Indeed, and indeed only just now does II be-
Gin to dawn on me what this war is accomplish
ing. 1t is ripping up the roots OF an old civil
izatiOn and planting new. These men OF the
har,l hand and brown brow are not tramping this
territory with their eyes shut POUNDS, what
land TO live in, says one-to get rich in, says
another. I'll never 60 back, says third. war
only could pour into the South the visitors that
her welfare needed. Five hundred thousand
will come for pain now to tiye that eouid come
for pleasure yesterday. War only, and this
frightful form of il, could make slavery stand
in the powerful presence Of fieedom-searched
by its keen eye, felt by its firm hand, dissected
by its cold economy. 49,,
If this war is protractcd, exclaimed Mr.. Eth
eridgc. then conhscation and emancipation =
And Shareholders shook him by the hand AFTER
wards aud said amen.
have heard and seen enough here to con-
vince me that Tennessee is beyond any border
State on the slavery question, unless IL be Del
aware. have been told by large slave owners
that they would be nightly glad to get rid OF
the institution. They spoke in praise of Presi-
dent Lincoln's late message. They are In favor
of its experiment. One gentleman said u was
born among slaves; / was nursed by them,
brought up with them, and have always owned
them; but | confess to you that | am thorough
~ sick OF the whole institution. When this
army came I called my slaves together and
said IL you have any notion OF leaving me
have only one request TO make-lcayc me alto
gether and forever; stop nowhere within my
reach. IL you turn up around here I'll take
you back and fog you; IL you get out or my
sight I'll not stir u step after you Sir, he
continued, the owner is the slave in the border
States. Free white labor is the best for alice
cerned.'
Upon expressing my surprise at such senti.
ments, | was told they were nothing unusual in
this State"