Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-08-28
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Groat speech OF Senator Browning OF
Illinois.

Gro1t speech OF Senator Browning Of
Illinois.
We find the following notice in the Quincy
Herald, of speech recently delivered in tha,
city, by the Hon. Mr.. BRowErNo, Republican
United States Senator from Illinois. and the in-
innate friend and right hand man of President
LINCOLN. It 10 too good to be lost.
Pursuant to notice an immense crowd Assem-.
bled at the Court House, on Saturday night, 10
hear an address from Senator Browning. The
court room was filled 10 overfowing, and we
are assured that hundreds were compelled to 10
away because they could not gain admission.
Mr.. Browning explained his position on the
oonfiscahon question, and did II to the salisfac-
tion and approval of vast majority OF those
who heard him. He said that Congress had no
power to conf,cate property and that conAsca.
tion was bumbug. II that power of coDfsca-
tion existed anywhere 1t existed in the Presi.
dent, by virtue of his Office os Commander-in
Chief OF our armies. The Constitution oon-
ferred no such power upon Congress, and he
had sworn to support the Constitution. He
could not support the Con6scation bill and the
Constitution TOO, so he supported the Consiitu
ticn and opposed confscation. Upon tbis cues.
tion he stood with the President. The same
Was true upon the question Of arming the ne
groes. He was opposed to armiDg them and so
was the President He was for the Union 90 1t
was, and the Constitution as it is In the ut.
terance Of these truly patriotic sentiments, Mr..
y was loudly and enthusiastically applauded
There were few persons present who did noe
join in these demonstrations Of approval. But
they we're open, avOwed, ultra Abolitionists.
Mr. RrnwniuO dannnnnad tho Ahol;kion niat l.,
unmeasured terms. He denounced the Aboli.
ton leaders in United States Senate--1sming
Sumner and others-as disloyal-traitors to the
country, wild, deluded fanatics, who we're bent
upon the destruction of the Government. He
had no sympathy with them, and should contin
ne to do 30. 1t mattered not that some of bis
old personal and political friends had turned
against him-he was fer the Union as IL was
and the Constitution as It is, and upon that plat.
form he intended to stand, though every friend
he had should desert him, and though every
dollar's worth OF property that he owned in the
world should be sacrificed or DESTROYED He
was interrupted by an Abolitionist present who
charged him with having gone over to the DEM
oorats. Mr.. Browning responded that he was
ready to 20 over to the Democrats, or to any
other party, or to act with patriotic men to
whatever party they might belong, who were
for the Union and the Constitution. Mr.. B.
then asked this brazen-faced Abolitionist if 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 to NOR.
roW2 As might be expected, the crazy fanat
10 replied no-he would not be willing to re.
ceive the South back unless they would ars
abolish slavery. Mr.. Browning said this was
just as he supposed-these Abolitionsts were
never In favor of the Union and the Constitu.
ton, but would sacrifice both, and bring the
liberties Of the people beyond the hope Of res.
direction, if they could but accomplish their
wicked and traitorous designs.
Another Abolition fanatic wanted to know o
Mr.. B. whether he would vote in favor OF eman
cipstion, If it would put an end to the war. "No
cir" said Mr.. B., 81 would not give such
vote because have sworn to support the Consti
tuition; under that Constitution we have nc DOW
er to emancipate the slaves"
At this point the Rev. Mr.. Ring, VINO was
in the audience, was heard to Say that Mr.
Browning "is 9 traitor to his country" Mr.. B
did not probably hear the remark, ss he dIC
not condesoend to notice It,. Mr.. B. comment
ed at considerable length upon the course o
some Abolition journals that have devoted 81
much Of their time ard space to denuncation
Of our Generals in the field, and 80 little o
their space TO the denunciation of the rebe
commanders. Among these journals we're tn
Chicago Tribune and the Quincy Whia. HI
was particularly severe upon the editors of tn,
Tribune. He read an article from the I7ibuH
and denounced it as the most infamous treason
that had appeared in any paper publlahed il
the United States einoe the war began. Of tn,
editors of the Tribune he had the most con
temptible opinion. He did not believe them K
be loyal, and il they should take ON oath /,
support the Government he would not believ
their oath. As to the Quincy Wing, he couldn'
expect much from that source--it was incapabl
of utteriDg the truth about him, and had per
sistently misrepresented his position from th,
beginning. He read extracts from the VIII,
to show that he had been outrageously misrep
resented by that paper In regard to the war
he was for its vigorous, energetic, and success
ful prosecution. He told his Republican friend
thst they could not bring the war to q success
full issue II they made 1t war for the negro
| The Democrats, he said, would not co-operat
in a war of that sort. But confne It to its le
gitimate, rightful object--let 1t continue to be
as it had been from the beginning, O war 70
the Constitution aud the Union, and the Dem
oorats would work and fight shoulder to should
er with the Republicsns-indeed all the patriot
Of Whatever party would work together.
Mr.. Browning throughout was listened :
with great attention, and with interest. Dur
ing HE speech he was frequently interrupte
with the enthusiastic applause Of his audience
| His positions, as he stated them and explsne
them on this occasion, are indorsed and approv
ed by large overwhelming majority of tn
people of this city and county. He talked lik
an honest man and true patriot, and his posi-
tions are broad enough for all loyal men Of al
parties to stand upon. We congratulate MI
Browning and the country that he took this oc
cssion to make himself understood aud to pre-
vent Misunderstanding for the future as to hi
real position and purpose. That he stands wit
the President upon the questions he discusse
we have no doubt-indeed, he 90 stated in hi
speech. Mr.. Browning 10 understood TO be th
most intimate and influential adviser of Presi
dent Lincoln that he has. In indicating, as b
has In his speech, the policy the President In
tended to pursue, Mr.. Browning has reneWe
the confidence Of the people in the integrity Q
the Government and the stability of our insti
tutions. 1t 10 to be regretted that no stenc
graphic report OF this speech was taken, an
that 1t cannot therefore be published in full =
Il would prove one Of the most acceptable an
popular speeches with the patriotic masses Of q
parties that the people have been favored Wit
for many day.
|
| lFrom the Harrisburg Patriot and Union.