The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-04-01
PARsoN BROwNLOw AT NASHVILLE.
He Makes a Speech.

On the evening Of the 18th inst, Parsou
Brownlow delivered q speech in front Of tho
st. Cloud Hotel, which is thus reported by
Nashville papers:
GENTLEMEN-I am in a sad plight to say
much of::interest-too thoughtly incapactiated
to do justice to you or myself. My throat has
been disordered for the past three years, and
have been compelled to almost abandon
public speaking. Last December was thrust
into an uncomfortable and disagreeable jail
for what? Treason! Treason to the bogus
Confederacy; and the proofs of that treason
were articles which appeared in the Knoxville
Wing in May last, when the State Of Tennes.
see was member Of the. imperlsbable Union.
At the expiration Of four weeks, became
victim of the typhoid fever, and was removed
to room in decent dwelling, and guard
Of seven men kept me company. l subse-
quently became so weak that | could not turn
over in my bed, and the guard was increased
TO twelve men, for fear should suddenly re-
cover and run away to Kentucky. Becoming
convalescent, in measure, ! was removed to
my former place Of confinement. One day /
was visited by some Confederate officers, who
remarked, "Brownlow, you should not be
here. Take the oath Of allegiance to the
Confederate Government which will not only
entitle you to a speedy release, but insure
your protection" "Sir," said ], "before
would take the oath to support such a he'll
forsaken institution, would suffer myself TO
rot or die of old age"
Why, my friends, these demagogues actu.
and declare that God Almighty is assisting
them in the furtherance Of their nefarious
project. In Knoxville and surrounding To-
calites, short time since, daily prayer meet.
Jugs were held, wherein the Almighty was
beseeched to raise Lincoln's blockade, and to-
hull destruction against the Burnside expcdi
ton. Their prayers were partially answered
the blockade at Roanoke Island was most
effcc ua,ly raised; reciprocation Of their sa-
crcgo divinely rendered.
Gentleman, am no Abolition st applaud
no sectional doctrines; am Southern man,
aud all my relatives and interests are thor
bly, identified with the South and South
ein institutions. / was born in the Old Do
minion, my parents were born in Virginia, and
they and their antecedents were all slavebol.
ders. Let mo assure you that the South ha7
suffered no infringement upon her institutions;
the slavery question was actually no pretext
for this unhoIy, unrighteous conflict. Twelve
Senators form the cotton States, who had
sworn to preserve inviola,c the Constitution
framed by our fJrefatLers. plotted treason at
night-a fit time for such crime-and tele-
grapheG to their States dispatches advising
them to pass ordinances Of secession. Yes,
gentlemen, twelve Senators swore allegiance
in the day time, was called upon by li,tic,
Jew, who, believe, is Secretary Of War Of
the bogus Confaderacy. He threatened to.
hang me, and expect no more mercy from
him than was shown by his illustrious prede-
cessors towards Jesus Christ. ] entered into
long correspondence with this specimen of
expiring humanity, but from mercy or forget
fulness on their part, was permitted to de-
part with all my documents in my little valise,
which hope to publish at no distant day
Gentlemen, when | started on my pcrilous
journey, was soreds'rcssed il mind, and ex-
ccedingy so in body. But tho moment my
eyes encountered the pickets Of the Federah
army my depression decreased and returning
health seemed suddenly to invigorate my
physical constitution.
Gentlemen, secession is played out-the
dog IS dead-the child is born, and his name
is jeff. Davis, jr.
Nv throat distresses me to such an extent
that must d cline further remarks this even
ing, but shall make myself heard on the next
convenient occasion, which will probably be,
ere the termination of the present week.