Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-07-12
SPEECH OF COL JOHN. n. IAxss.

Il
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From the Chattanooga Uiies, OF the 2stk
ult, We take the following report Of spssc>
made BY Col John II. Jsmes vhesssysa bic
country faithfully through Me war, at .
Conservative meeting the night bssbss;
FsLLow CIrizxSs: am q member Of no
political party, but am q Conservative IN
the true sense of the word. IL. there q a
true loyal man In the State think am one,
and have proved myself 90. But people
must learn to leave Oh their old prsjadices.
] am not sure that either party y doia6 their
duty towards the people, and think II wosid
be well II new one could be ORGANIZED to
pay more regard 10 the interests OF the peo-
pie and less to those Of the poiiticiAns.-
Brownlow u not competent 10 b Governor.
| wrote an abolition letter 10 Brownlow, in
which praised him as one Of the greatest
patriots Of the day, In order 10 advance tho
interests Of the colored people and allow them
the right 10 vote with the men thAt We fought.
In doing this my object was TO reconcile the
whole people 90 that we might be enc as we
were before the war. But IL was of no avail.
Brownlow claims 10 have suffered from the
war. Now, have heard OF men suffering,
but don't think he did. He u the oaly
man In Tennessee who received any respect
from the Rebel authorities I want 70 know
what he suffered. II II had mot been Or
Gro. Ramsey and VIM. II. Snecd, be woMld
have been as big Rebel @ any man in
Tennessee, and defy him to deny IT. He
may accuse me Of every crime be pleases,
but will say this for him. He wss captured
at Knoxville by his own consent He vas
put in . separate room from the other pris-
oners; q carpet was put ou tbs door, and
when he was not satisfied with The conntry
grub be asked and obtained permission 70
have his family supply him; and the CON-
mander of the prison, General Monsarat,
brought him some more. Then, aflsr while,
he had guard to escort him North, and b
was the only man that ever did.
When be got north he went 10 delivering
bis sanitary lectures in the principal cities,
and paid dollar to hear him. Re talks
about his sufferings now, and wants the
sympathies of loyal men. VII -AelS Mr..
Brow nlow to come mp and ny that be bas
ever taken au active part for loyal man In
Tennessee. He has done nothing but TO ag-
iiate and urge the dhfrsnchise ment Of bis
superiors.
With regard TO his militia, will say that
Il was not the interest Of the Legislature TO
call il into service. II was started In accord
ance with Mr.. Brownlow's representations
that 1t was dangerous to travel through this
State without guard. They fnt passed 0
resolution to request General Thomas 10 fur
nish troops, but this was not done. But
defy Nj. Brownlow to cay that be did not
request Gen. Thomas not to furnish the
troops but let him (Brownlow) furnish bis
own. 4 sao the lett6r.
Now III tell you what he wants those
State Guards for. He wants them to compel
him, or to keep them from voting at all and
Ill defy him 10 deny Il.
He talks about his sympathy for The loyal
people Now III defy him 10 prove that be
has ever extended dngle fAvor 10 any man
tended kin. He imports his very sts6 from
Germany or some other State.
i tell the colored people that whom Blown.
low tells you he Is your savior, n . &sr !
He has never moved q peg or toe nall sd
has never made speech ln your favor IN bic
life, and defy him to show It Before the
war he was your worst enemy and hs never
pretended to be your friend until b wsstsd
yOur Noto W oe elcctcus Auot0 ~ WQOtoWk ~
his dirty little paper Of news or ssnss; only
abuse Of bis old neighbors. and In favor Of 40
one but his advocates. Aud who are his Cd
vScatesL There is Houk, one Of his Judges.
Didn't Houk 20 about abusing Brownlow un-
til Brownlow gave him an Office 10 stop bic
mouth. Now the best thing for the people
Of this State and Of the South d 10 got good
men, who are not mixed up In politics Who
have served with either army, In whom you
can rely, aud elect them 70 olics, and 6x up
good, strong, stable peaceable government.
hope TO see that shortly.
II know that I have been the enemy d
many of ysa here. Bat The var b svss now.
Il We have ooaqhsrsd and yes acksowlsdgs Il.
Let us forget by-goao. and - ftisa6s oncs
more q u cd. lhAPs ~ y - ~ 4sy
when every citizen Of this esan1ey. blask Or
white, without regard to whst ~ nay have
been heretofore, shall have the right 10 vote
and take gart in the government So far a.
tho Rebels are concerned am not afraid 10
trust them. have been, since the war.
through this State and through nearly all the
Southern States, aud am not afraid to trust
them with an equal share In the government,
and we shall never be ~ peace until We do