Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-02-01
BROWNLOW.

On glancing over the late special
message of parson Brownfow, we
were forcibly reminded of the truism,
that man is the creature of circum.
stances. We remember when Brown
low was esteemed one Of the most
jealous advocates Of the sovereignty Of
the States and the rights Of the South.
We remember when be earnestly
taught that slavery was God-ordain-
ed institution, and that the physical
and mental organism of the negro
stamps him the natural inferior of the
white man; when he argued that
slavery was the normal condition Of
the sons Of Ham, and that in no
other condition oan they fulfil their
destiny, or make any progress towards
civilization. To these opinions he
was so thoroughly welded, that he
solemnly vowed he would die in their
defense, or wade, knee-deep, in abo-
lition blood. As an earnest of his
sincerity, he carried the war, not into
Africa, but into Philadelphia, where
he babe defiance to Pryne and the
whole abolition host, and proclaimed
himself the fearless champion Of
slavery and southern rights.
Where stands he now? 1t is sta
ted that, on the eve of the war, he
was about to commit himself fully to
the cause of the South, and the prac-
teal defense of the opinions he had
SO often avOwed; but, elling to the
arguments and solicitations of q few
faithless citizens of our gallant State,
he threw himself into the arms Of
the abolitionists This false. and
unnatural step changed, not the ma.
ture, but the policy of the man, and
to gain credit for convictions he did
not feel, and for zeal that was simu-
lated, it became expedient to surpass
the abolitionists themselves in all that
is mean, mercenary and cruel. How
we'll he succeeded, no Tennessean
need be told. His success is stamped
upon every fragment Of broken
constitution, and upon every stone in
the ruined walls Of the descrated tenn
pie Of liberty. The blood of MUIR
dered victims Of abolition hate cries
out against him as the abettor of the
murderers, and every act Of oppres-
sion that disgraces the statute books,
bears the seal Of his recommendation
and approval.
Heproved untrue to his convictions
and to his State, and this one circum.
stance led to all the crimes he has
committed in the last six years. 1t
made him slanderer, who traversed
the North, whining about wrongs he
never suffered, and pocketing the
substantial proofs of abolition SYM
pathy. 1t made him human hyena,
thirsting for the blood of those he
slandered and betrayed, and it made
him blsphsmsr, denying the word
and defying the laws of the God who
made him, and spurning the doctrines
Of the Savior who died for him, and
whose minister he processes to be.
Nothing but stubborn facts could
make US believe in depravity SC
suddenly developed and so persistent
ly practiced, and when charity would
urge plea in excavation, the black
record stiles the impulse, and sterr
justice overrules the half uttered ap
peal. We pity the poor, decrepid ole
man and would, If we could, extenu
ate his crimes. He stepped aside
from the path Of honor and duty
perhaps in an unguarded moment
and the devil took him by the arm
walked by his side and beguiled hin
with promises Of wealth and powe
and glory-all to be won by the sim
pie process of degrading his own rae
and elevating the negro. The temp
tation was too strong for his low in
stincts and feeble powers of resist
auce, and he fell not like Lucifer
who aspired to the throne of Heaven
but like a grovclling mcrcenary, VIII,
would rather grow rich from the law
less forfeiture Of his neighbours good
than be content with a competenc,
honestly earned who would rathe
hold Office at the hands Of traitor
and negroes than be private anon
gentlemen; who would rather stalk
fend.like, amid the burning ruins q
his native South than witness tn
triumphs Of liberty and peace. 7