The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-06-07
Vbc 1)ll1Its Of 5sression
ParSOn BrOWnlOw's "Last DYING
Speech and COfession.''


Parson Brownlow, in his receut speech
in Boston, alluded to an address which
he had prepared for delivery on the
scaffolG when he expected to be hung in
Knoxville. The danger was imminent.
Several Union men had already been
execu ed, and the Infatuated troops in
camp and the liquor shops about the
town were clamorous for the blood of
the Parson. Under these circumstances
he prepared, in prison, the remarks
which follow
FeHow Countrymen Il have often
addressed many of you, upon different
topics, but never under circums ances
like those which now surround me, as |
feel that | am speaking for the last
time. suppose have been sentenced
to hang by court-martlal sitting in this
city | say l suppose so, for | have
never had any trial, or even notice of
trial being in progress. So it has
been with those who have been executed
before me. 1t is alike matter of indif-
ference whether l was tried by that
court-martial i'll my absence and in the
absence of witnesses aud counsel, or
whether had been present the result
would have been death. The Judge
Advocate, Thomas j. Campbell, is a
pcrfidous man, as DIES iu of real honor
and purity of purpose as he is Of true
courage and manly virtue.
Associated wi him is James D.
Thomas, a man who was expelled from
the Methodist Ministry for whipping his
wife, and slandering his venerable old
fathcr-in-law! This man Thomas has
advocated on the bench, in open court
martial, the sending of the Union masses
Of East Tennessee to Alabama and Mis-
sissippi, and working them in the field,
under negro overseers, and the hanging
of the Union leaders here Justice al
the hands of such set of men is the
last thing | would expect. Indeed,
there is more glory in being put to death
by such men than in being acquitted,
after going through the forms of trial.
1t is known to many of you that |
left home to avoid personal violence, and
was out of the reach of the mol, who
could not find me, after repeated efforts
by squads sent out, armed, by that arch
hypocrite and would-be murderer, w.
b. Wood, of Alabama. In my conceal.
mem, | was informed, by letter from
Major-G Crittendcn, in command
at this place, that he was instruc ed by
the Secretary of War at Richmond, Mr..
Benjamin, to give me passports and
military escort to conduct NE out of this
bogus Government into the Federal Gov
eminent; and | was invited to appear at
his headquarters in twenty-four hours,
where he promised me that should be
furnished with said passports.
| was there within the time specified,
accompanied by Colonel Baxter; the
arrangement was made, and the Company
of Cap ain Gillespie designated as my
escort. But, that evening, just before
shutdown, | was arrested upon warrant
issued by that disgraccful specimen of
our nature, Commissioner Reynolds,
upon the false oath Of Attorney Ramsey,
u corrupt man, for whom no decent Sc
cessionist entertains any respect. The
charge against me was treason, founded
upon editorials, one of which has been
published, in part, by Ramsey, in the
Knoxville Reg'sterj and although the
miserable man swore that the editorial
was published since the tenth of June, at
which time the Safe was voted out, my
files will show that it was published on
the 25th of May.
Thus | was taken out of the hands of
Major General and of his Secretary of
War by a worthless little Confederate
lawyer, and thrown into the common Jail
of this county refused bail, when the
best the county affords was offered and
up to this cventful hour, l have been
denied trial and an opportunity to
defend myself lefore the court con-
demning me to an ignominious DEATH
The proof of all that Is here charged
will be found in the correspondence cited,
which | have placed in the hands of
friend for publication. 1t will show that
these parties, one and all, have acted
treacherous part towards me, and have
violated their pledges and faith. Their
periidy and treachery are absolutely dis
graceful to their bogus Government, if,