Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-09-19
Letter rom Governor BroWnloW.


after harmonious and animated session OF I'VE o&ye
and nights All matters connected with the politics
of the present crisis were fully and ably discussed.
Great enthusiasm prevailed throughout Nothing
was concealed but all points, however delicate, we're
freely handled and the reporters of all the papers
friendly and unfriendly, were alike provided with
seats and tables. Crowds of spectators were admit
ted and accommodated with seats outside OF the bar
of the great National Hall, and in the galleries
Copperheads both in the Hall by day and in the
streets at night stood anced before the showing
up of the treachery of Andrew johnson and his in
sane Policy"
There were $50 regularly commissioned delegates
"a gallant and true set Of men-well posted in all
that related TO the past and present of the rebellion
These did all the voting and debating in Conven-
tion, making it what it was proclaimed to be, Con-
vention of Southern Loyalsts. True, there were
one thousand Northern delegates, among whom
were many of the first men in Acknowledgements,
Senators, Representatives, Congressman and Leg
islators These were only honorary, or outside men,
ber sent here to cheer and congratulate the South
ern delegates.
A committee of thirteen, with absolute unanimi-
y reported an appeal to the people of the country,
which was adopted by reclamation. call attention
to this document the most powerful bill of indict
ment ever presented to the world against any Of
fender. 1t is an indictment against the Presidents
policy, which, as literary production, is written
with force, conviction and eloquence withal never
excelled by any political document put forth in
America. Its logic is well grounded in facts known
to the whole country and its accusations cannot be
refuted 1t will be circulated by millions, as one of
the most powerful campaign documents extant, and
It's effect upon political affairs will be telling and
general.
The unreconstructed States presented report af-
ter the business of the general Convention was
through with, representing their own views and
wants. This was an able report, and declared for
negro suffrage essential to their interests in the
rebel States. The border States including Tennes-
nessee did not participate in this action, leaving
TO the unrecOnstructed States alone They called
the ayes and nays and the vote was "a for and 10
against the report. The Convention, as Conven-
tion took part in this VOTE but left it to these in
terested.
The welcome extended TO the delegates by the
city of Philadelphia could not have been excelled
in cordiality, grandeur and enthusiasm. The pro-
cesson on Monday, the first day, extended for miles
The streets and side walks houses and crosssreets
were lined and thronged by multiplied thousands.
The stars and stripes foated from every house along
the whole line Of march. The cheering and enthu-
siasm never ceased, and the very air rang out W it
shouts. Old and young, male and female, alike en-
tered into the loyal spirit of exutation No pen or
tongue can describe the scene. To have been ap-
preciated it must have been seem
On Wednesday evening, after the chief business
of the Convention was through with, the Northern
and Southern delegates met Broad street. in front
of the Union League House, to greet others. 1 got
position on the top of the League House beside
Chief Justice Chase, General Cameron and others,
where had full view of the whole affair If as
grand a scene ever were witnessed in the civilized
world, it never was e9ualed in the United States.
The street is wide three or four ordinary streets
and as far as the eye could reach there sea of
up-turned faces, display of banners torch lights
transparencies bands of music, and the shouts and
songs literally rent the air Old politicians and
good judges of crowds estimated the whole at ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND. Many estimated the
crowd higher. All agreed that the Copper-Johnson
Convention of August was common town meeting |
by the side of this If this Convention were not
success, the term success has lost its meaning.
1 shall not presume to speak of the speeches a. |
they were numerous, able and eloquent. No speech |
delivered at the principal stand listened to with
more profound attention than the speech of General
Burnside. His eulogy upon East Tennessee loyal |
lists, his solemn protest against the mad policy of
the President and his earnest appeal to the Pres
dent to stand by Congress, elected long and loud
applause.
OIL -raaohoc ~,
Hall after the Convention had adjourned, of re-
markable character. Mss A5lna E. Dickinson, |
small young woman of Quaker origin, of respecta-
bity and of superior talents. With fine but pen
Grating voice. perfect in the arts of oratory she
brought cheers from hundreds and produced pro- |
found impression. l can say of a truth she is no
humbug.
The other speech was by Fred Douglas, man of |
color. l had never seen or heard him before and |
remained in the Hall after the adjournment TO hear
him. He did not meet my expectations as al orator. !
but he is sensible and well informed man. and will
compare favorably with half the white men in the
country in point of talents. He was one of the New
York Northern delegates, and was not in the South
crn Convention.
The last night of the Convention, the Copper
League House. building on Broad street which cost
the League TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
As edifce it is ornament to Phi ladelphia and
an honor to the Union party of the most loyal city
in the United States. There is not such a political
club house in the world adorned with such paint
ngs and furniture The damage is about forty
thousand, fully insured, and will soon be repaired
Thousands of members belong to it, and millions of
wealth is represented in its members. They form
party organization that can't be smoked out in this
way.
In Pennsylvania the Radicals will gain three
Congressman, and carry the Governor by thousands.
The Copper-Johnson party will not carry State
North, but will lose all by increased majorities-
Everything is working we'll, and the Union signs
were never better.
W. g. BRowNLow
Jndgp HOUk Threatens tn Disnorso tho |