Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-07-03
Speech Of Ex-Governor Brown.

mt. tddtTUtdN AS you nave announced
that your commi tee viii be ready TO report
In lev minutes, 1 think il improper ths,
should attempt to enter into any discussion
OF the question involved al this time. And
could not do Justice to myself or to any
section, if l attempted to speak without
time. and review 10 some extent, the ques-
tons involved. do not wish TO inirude up
on the proceedings OF this convention.
came here, as it has been said. a recon.
structed rebel (Appiause and cheers 1
was an original secessionist. (Laughier)
At this poin, loud calls were made for
Mr.. Brown to ascend the platform Several
IN the galleries cried out 1--WE want to see
you"
Mr.. Brown left his seat, and ~ hen he
assembled to the stage WAS greeted with
cheer after cheer. When 1t had subsidized,
the President said: Ex Governor Brown, OF
Georgia.
Mr.. Brown then resumed. Mr.. President
and gentlemen of the Convention As re-
marked before l left my seat. was an orig
inal secessionist. was born within the
State OF South Carolina. within Mr.. Cal.
boun district. Charmed with the iascina-
ton of has manner snd the splendor of hi,
intellect, early imbibed his State Rights
doctrines; and i suppose rs religiously
believed that they we're correct as you be-
iievcd that your doctrines were correct. /
believed that had seen for ten years before
the unfortunate struggle through which We
have just passed. that the issue that divided
the North and South must ultimately be
settled by the sword.
There was no common tribunal whose
Judgment We woall respect. 1.-THE Supreme
Court decided q question bearing upon the
great issues. the party against whom the
decision was made refused to abide by IL.
because 1t was regarded as political And
while deprecated the necessity. believed
one day it must come
While Mr.. Clay lived-that great man
and great pacifica,or (applause)-~e were
able to avert this issue. Blu, Mr.. Clay was
called from his field OF usefulness; Mr..
Webster died, and Mr.. Calhoun slept with
his fathers; and. when the storm again
arose, there was no one who could pour oil
upon the troubled waters and stop the
deiuge. Secession was the result. ( wen,
into II cordially as State Rights man and
stood by 1t rs long as there was any chance
to sustain it. When the President of the
Confederate States abandoned the great
States Rights doctrines that we commenced
the revolution upon, differed from him.
when be adopted his oouscript measures.
which gave the entire control OF the whole
army OF the Confederate States to the
President, with the appointment Of every
officer down 10 the lowest Lieuienant-an
took issue with him
But we went through the struggle Twill
not attempt now to review its history, bu,
we OF the South fell, and you of the North
were the conquerors. / think that at the
end OF the struggle had sense enough 10
know when was whipped. daughter
The President OF the United States. i,er
the surrender Of General johnson, ordered
my arrest and imprisonment. After INV
release your forts were opened. and was
LETT free TO act. ielt then that the time
had come when should make nv choice
between this land and this government and
some other land and some other rovern-
ment. stiII love my native land the best.
GOOD. Good.) With your construction of
the constitution established by law | still
prefer the government OF the United State.
TO any other recognized government.
The natural inquiry then was. wha, Is nv
interest and what is my duty believed
that It was my interest and my choice 10
remain IN this government. II remained
there. must seek amnesty of The govern
ment for the past aud must ask ils protec.
ton for The future. II it yielded me that
was IN honor bound 20 return to my allec.
lance and make q good citizen IL / could.
Hence, / have advocated every measure
from that day until this for reconstruction.
When the President of the United State.
proposed his plan, advised our people to
accept II, because we had no other power
TO negotiate with bu, him. lie dad no, call
Congress together
When Congress which had the legitimate
control Of this question, Applause proposed
the constitutional amendments 10 the South.
ern States, advised such friends as sought
my opinion on the question. that IL was
better to accept it. But the tide Of ling
was so overwhelming against it that nc voice
could stay it. Unwisely. the Southern
States promptly rejected those terms. /
did not then suppose we would ever &c,
better terms. was satisfied we must sub
NIT to worse ones. Wha, was the con.
stiiut'onai amendment There wa. but
one living issne In n and ihnt va in ~.