The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-07-04
A Patriotic Plea.
Interview with Col. T. T. Crittenden, of War
rensburg,

! Interview with Col. T. T. Crittenden, of War
rensburg.l
| Andrew Johnson, then a refugee at
| Camp Dick Robinson, near Danville, KY,
| came to Lexington, KY, in the summer
of 1861 to make a speech against the evils
of secession 1t had been announced for
days preceding that the speech would be
made at the Opera House. The city was
| filled with cultivated and elite citizens of
| that unsurpassed country. John Morgan,
| the famous raider, was then organizing
his regiment at Lexington. The secession
spirit was wild with anticipated success of
its cause. At the appointed hour the OPP
era House was crowded almost to suffoca-
ton with ladies and gentiemen-with
those clinging to the Union with unshak-
en- affection, with those undecided where
to cast their lot, with those filled with the
idea of a new government and new or
der of things Mr.. johnson entered the
hall from the front, accompanied by a
few friends, looking every inch man.
He was then in the prime oflife and beau
ty of well-developed manhood, like Paul
defense of the hope and faith that pos
sessed him. AS he entered the house a
shout went up from friend and foe, be-
cause all saw at once in the man
that wonderful power and magnet
ism which made him the pride of
Tennessee and the acknowledged friend
of the people. There was something grand
in every step that he took. Threats had
been made on the streets of the city that
day by young rebel spirits that Mr.. John
son should not deliver a Union speech on
that occasion others declared that he
should-both sides were armed more OF
less. There was dread in the minds of
the more prudent of both sides that a
"bloody drama" was imminent. Mr..
johnson saw at once the danger surround
ing the occasion, and with mastery
stroke quickly qureted the surging, ex-
cited throng of people, with the following
happy Introduction: 81 stand to-day
refugee from home, from my adopted
State, in whose councils have stood as
tribute of the people, from my loved wife
and children, and have sought tempor-
airy home in the grand old State of Ken
lucky, in the historic city of Lex
ington, under the shadow of that
monument which stands IN memo
riam of the grandest man the world
ever saw! Kentucky was the fit home of
Clay, and Clay was the true representa-
tive of such State. Monuments of mar
bel are not necessary to perpetuate their
glory. They are a part of the history of
our common country, and will only be
forgotten when we-fellow-c w-citizens-shall
forget the glory of that country. I am
here to speak in behalf of that country
one and separable-just as our forefath-
ers made it-just as our Clay preserved it
in the compromise measure of 1850, when
he said: 81 may be asked. as l have
been asked, when am for the dissolution
of this Union. / answer, never! never !!
neyerMp' So say I, my countrymen! May
I, Kentuckians, the friends, neighbors
and constituents of such man, give my
reasons to-day why this Union should be
preserved, why war, the last alternative of
civilization, should be avoided Shall 1
be heard for my cause, even by the brave
and gallant men who are to-day putting
on the harness of war under an excite
ment that will yet make many homes
desolate, make many hearts weep over
stricken loved ones! Brave men are brave
on all occasions; no more afraid OF free
speech than of free combat. Cowards
suppress the one and fee from the other!
Shall be heard?" At this point Col.
Tom Buford, who had just assassinated
Judge Elliott at Frankfort, KY, moved
from his seat to the aisle facing the
speaker, and said $50 on, Mr.. J Johnson,
you shall be heard to-day in behalf of the
Union. Kentuckians love brave man
wherever found and under all circum-
stances" Suffice to say that the elo-
quence of the orator and the response of
tu6 dOdtCu uAOdolHCco III tiAO
minds of the fair women and brave men,
and the crowd listened with eagerness to
the plea of the great natural orator for
more than two hours. Few such speeches
have ever been made. 1t was enough
within itself to have immortalized him.
1t was grand plea for peace, harmony,
home and country. Subsequent history
has fully verified his brave words. When
he said: "I am done. God bless Ken
lucky! God bless our whole land!" a
wild burst of applause was heard from
that great mixed crowd of Union men and
Secessionists. Andrew johnson entered
that hall stranger and left hero.