Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-02-28
A Streak or Lightning In the
Georgia Convention.

Coionsi y. ~. Wauuel, gallant 0mcer OF the
late Confederate army, and Conservative
member Of the body gave utterance to the
following thoughts that breathe and word,
that burn:
Mr.. President-It was not my intention to
trouble the convention with a single word
upon the subject Immediately before us and
should not now, but for some remarks
which fell from the delegate from Richmond
Mr.. Byrant) He complained because allu-
sion had been made to the fact tina. some of
the conspicuous delegates to this convention;
those oftenest on the floor-were recent
residents Of Georgia, and intimated that in
consequence Of that fact prejudice was en-
deavored to be kindled against those dele
gates of Northern birth. | have sat in this
convention nearly,foriy days, and appeal to
those around me to know il twenty lima
tured Hings have not been made at Georgians
where one even disrespectful alluson has
been made to New Englanders. Four
6fths OF the white people of Georgia were
rebels, "so-called," and not q day has been
suffered to pass when those "rebels" have
not been denounced, in some shape or form,
by those who have assumed the task of sin.
grating upon the stock f Georgia ignorance
New England ideas and New England civil
ization." They seem to have an intense
loathing for those who bore part in the strup.
gle for liberty-they denounce them as reb-
els and traitors. No terms of reproach are
rigorous enough to characterize them by-no
punishment is severe enough to inflict upon
them. When we tell them We have surren.
dcred in good faith-we have laid down our
arms upon the honor of soldiers-we have
abandoned what they call the "beresy of Sc.
cession"-henceforth we mean to stand by
the Union under the Constitutional is ali
to no purpose, all without avail. They are
not content. They are greedy for the pound
Of flesh. Nothing short Of ruin, degradation
and eternal disgrace will appease or satisfy
them.
Now, sir, have borne vituperation long
enough. am not ashamed OF my record.
There never was a monument since the
date of my political accountability when l.
was not true to the great principles of pepu
lar liberty, as laid down in the Constitution
Of the United States. II was precisely be-
cause | conceived that that Constitution was
practically overthrown, that its principles
were in jeopardy, that its spirit and essence
were violated by the election to the Office of
President of the United States Of section
al candidate upon q sectional platform, that
| espoused the cause ofGeorgia. Through her
sovereign voice, she commanded me to avouch
my ballot with my sword. | bowed to her
high mandate. Georgia made Inc citizen
OF the United States. conceived she had
the right to absolve my citizenship. She
me to defend her; the Federal
Government commanded me to crush her,
could not obey both masters. elected
without hesitation in obedience to the in
stincts Of my nature, to stand by Georgia;
the home of my childhood; the graves OF my
kindred; the honored ashes OF him whose
name bear. Of whom then shall be af-
raid Of what shall be ashamed Let
me here speak one word for myself alone,
aud if my voice could reach to the uftermost
of creation, creation should hear
the declaration. To-day, poor as am, !
would not exchange the memory of the part
bore, humble as that part Was, in the noble
struggle of Georgia to be free for the crown
the Bourbon lost. would not exchange the
memory of my poor part at Manassas, Getiys-
burg and Chickauauga, dozen other proud
but melancholy fields, tor the best hope
have. If erred, ii was on the side Of my
State and my section---an error, If one IL be,
that stands recorded in Heavens ChanceIy
upon mercy's page. erred, too, in company
with the best, the brightest and the bravest
Of my State. | erred with men whose
names are garnered up in her heart, whose
valor shed unfading luster upon her arms, and
whose fame is among the jewels OF her
crown, and over whose hero dust her most
precious tears have been shed
Mr.. Baldwin here interrupted by inquiring
whether Mr.. Waddell still acid TO secession
VI war. accepted the result. When surren-
dered my sW ord, surrendered that doctrine.
| surrendered to General Grant who is man
Of honor and has kept his pledge. ! have
kept, and mean TO keep mine. Would that
could say AS much for some Of hia support
ers here. My honor was pledged, and that
is unstained. But | will not sit silently by
and hear the memory of those who per-
ished in the effort To make secession glorious
Those Christian heroes, Tom
Cobb and Slonewall Jackson, who baptized
your cause aud mine, Mr.. President, in their
sacrificed life in maintaining it,
over whose graves glory wecps--tney are
denounced by party on this floor rs traitors
TO the country, while Butler, the beast, who
incited ruilian soldiery at New Orleans to
violate deienseless females--who went there
a bankrupt in fortune,as he Is nov bank
rupt 10 hme-who grew rich by plumber,
robbery, rapine and theft--he Is now a pa
triot Put me down among the traitors
Here large number Of delegates on the
" her side OF the house rose To their feet
looking horriled. They knew well that
thry rcss-ssed the numerical strength TO
crush the speaker by force, and consequently
they were furious to ponnce upon him
Some Nad questions TO ask, and others had
points Of order. Alas the arch rebel had
TO suecumb 10 the pressure, and be took hli
seat liks al ree'ls 10 oyerpowered bat uo'