Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-04-04
Parson BroWnIOw az Nashville.

Speech Of Parson Brownlow, delivered in
front Of the 81. Cloud Hotel, Nashville, on the
sSseaing Of the 17th:--
GENTLEMEN:-I am in sad plight to say
much Of interest to thoroughly ineapacitated
40 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 thrust into
4an uncomfortable and disagreeable jail-for
whata treason Treason to the ogus Con-
Federacy; and the proofs Of that treason ere
articles which appeared IN the Knoxville Whig
IN May last, when the State Of tennessee was
member Of the impershable Uuion. AT the
expiration of four weeks / became victim of
she typhoid fever, aud was removed to room
II dscent dwelling, and guard. Of seven
men kept me company / subsequently, be-
came SO weak that / could Eot turn over in
~ bed, and the guard was Increased TO twelve
nlen, for fear | should suddenly recover and
run away to Kentucky. Becoming GONZALES
cent, IN measure, ! was removed to my for
mar place of confinement. 0ue day was
visited By some Confederate differs, who re-
marked, ssBrownlow. you should not be here.
lake the oath of allegiance 10 the Confeder-
ate Government, which will not only entitle
yoe to speedy release, but insure your pro-
lection" Sir, said |, s'before / would take
the cath OF allegiance to support such he'll
forsaken institution, would suffer myself to
ROT or die with old age"
Why, my friends, these demagogues aetu-
ally boast that the Lord is upon cur side, aud
declare that God Almighty is assisting them
1 ia the fuFtheFance Of their nefaarious project.
I ID Knoxville aud surrounding localities, snort
j tiae siaees ualiy prayer meetings were held,
/ wherein tae Almighty was beseechsd to raise
IIiaa0ln'a blockade, aud to hurl destruction
agAisisf aha Burnside Expedition. Their pray
ers were parity snswered-the blockade at
Roaheka Island was most etfectually raised; a
reeis zeal of their sscrilege diyinely tender
cd.
/ Gentlemen, am no boitienist-I applaud
no sectional doctrines-I am Southern mau,
aud all my relatives and interests arc thorough
( ly identified with the South aud Southern iu-
situations. / was born in the Old Dominion,
my parents were born in Virginia, aud they
and their antecedents were all slave holders
Let me assure you that the South has suffered
no infringement upon ber institutions; the
slavery question was actually no pretext for
this uuholy, unrighteous conflict. Twelve
Senators from the Cotton States, who had
sworn to preserve inviolate the Constitution
framed by our forefathers, plotted treason at
night--at fit time for such crime-and tele-
graphed to their States dispatches advising
them to pass Ordinances of Secession. Yes,
gentlemen, twelve Senators swore allegiance
III the daytime, and uuswore it at night. a
short time since was called upon by little
jew, who, believe, is the Secretary OF War
Of the bogus Confederaey. He threatened to
hang me, and / expected no more mercy from
him than was shown by his illustrous prede-
cessors towards Jesus Christ.
! entered into long correspondence with
this specimen of expiring humanity, but from
mercy or forgetfuluess, on their part, | was
permitted to depart with all my documents in
my little valise, which / hope to publish at no
distant day. Gentlemen, when started on
my perilous journey was re-distressed in
miud, and exceedingly SO in body. Bot the
moment my eyes encountered The pickets of
the Federal army my depression decreased
/ and returning health seemed suddenly to in-
/ vigorate 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 40 extent
that must deciiue further remarks this even
ing, but shall make myself heard upon the
next convenient occasion, which viii probably
be ere the termination of the present. week.