Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-04-04
Speech of Parson Brownlow.

The following speech was delivered al
Nashville on the l7th inst, and so great
was the demand for the papers contain
ing it that they published it for three
successive days
"GEN1LgMEN: I am in a sad plight
to say much Of interest-too thoroughly
ncapacitated to do justice to you or my
self My throat has been disordered for
the past three years, and have been
compelled to alnaost abandon public
speaking. Last December was thrust
into an uncomfortable and disagreeable
jail--for what? Treason Treason 10
the bogus confederacy; and the proofs
Of that treason were articles which APP
peared in the Knoxville Wing in May
last, when the state Of Tennessee was a
member of the imperishable Union. At
the expiration of four weeks | became
victim of the typhoid fever, and was re-
moved to a room in decent dwelling
and guard Of seven men kept me COM
pany, | subsequently became so weak
that | could not turn over in my bed,
and the guard was increased to twelve
meR for fear should suddenly recover
and run away to Kentucky. Becoming
convalescent, in a measure, was remov-
ed to my former place Of confinement.
One day / was visited by some Confed-
crate oil GERS, who remarked, 'Brownlow
you should not be here. Take the oath
Of allegiance to the confederate govern
ment, which will not only entitle you to
a speedy release, but insure your protec-
ton Sir 7 said !, Before would take
the oath to support such a hell-forsaken
institution, | would suffer myself to rot
or die with old age Why, my friends,
these demagogues actually boast that the
Lord is upon their side, aud declare that
God Almighty is assisting them in the
turtherance of their nefarious project.
In Knoxville and surrounding localities
short time since, daily prayer meetings
were held, wherein the Almighty was
beseeched to raise Lincoln's blockade,
and to hurl destruction against the Burn
side expedition. Taeir prayers were
partly swered--the blockad at Roam
oke Island was most effectually raised
reciprocal of their Sacrlege divine
rendered.
Gentlemen, am no abolitionist and |
| applaud no sectional doctrines l am a
Southern man, and all my relatives and
are thoroughly identified with
the South, and Southern institutions. |
was born in the Old Dominion, my pa
rents were born in Virginia, and they
and their antecedents were all slave
holders. Let me assure you that the
South has suffered no infringement upon
her institutions; the slavery question
was actually no pretext for this unholy,
conflict, Twelve senators
rom the cotton states, who had sworn TO
preserve ingiolate the Constitution fram-
ed by our forefathers, plotted treason at
hight, a fit tine for such crime and
elegraphed to their states dispatches ad-
sising them to pass ordinances of seces-
sion. Yes, gentlemen, twelve senators
wore allegiance in the day time, and un-
wore it at night.
A short time since was called upon
)y a little jew, who, believe, is Secre-
ary of War of the bogus Confederacy.
lie threatened to hang me, and expec-
ed no more mercy from him than was
bown by his illustrious predecessors TO-
wards Jesus Christ. | entered into a
ong correspondence with this expiring
pecimen of humanity, but from mercy
II forgetfulness on their part, was per-
nilted to depart with all my documents
u my little valise, which | hope 20 pub
ish al no distant day. Gentlemen, when
started on my perlous journey, was
,ore distressed in mind and exceedingly
70 in body. But the moment my eyes
encountered the pickets of the federal
irmy, my depression decreased and re-
urning health seemed suddenly to invig
rate my physical constitution.
Gentlemen, secession is played out
he dog is dead-the child is born, and
lis name is JEFF Davis, jr. My throat
istresses me to such an extent that
must decline further remarks this even
ng, but shall make myself heard upon
he next convenient occasion, which will ,
be ere the termination of the
resent week.
ca Tom presented his bill TO neigbbor
oe for service rendered. The latter