Union And American

THE GAUNTLET THROWN DOWN.

C. S. Smith the colored orator, who stirred up Bob Harlan and other disciple of Morton and Grant in the National Colored Convention held in this city last spring has recently made a speech in Brownsville, which appears to have provoked the wrath of the Brownsville Free Press (Rep.), edited by Hon. A. A. Freeman. In reply to the strictures of the Free Press Smith says:

"While I am not disposed to be drawn into a political controversy, yet in order that truth may be vindicated, I will agree to meet the editor of the Free Press in the city of Brownsville at any time he may designate to discuss the following propositions:

"1. That the war was not waged on the Federal side for the overthrow of slavery.

"2. That the passage of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution was prompted by motives involving party interest, rather than of magnanimity.

"3. That the Democratic, or no other party, will ever re-establish slavery in this country and that any who says so, states a known falsehood in his heart.

"4. The Republicans stole the colored man's money out of the Freedman's Savings Bank and that the editor of the Free Press has never demanded their arrest of punishment."

As the Republican politicians have demanded the support of the colored race upon the reverse of the propositions stated here, we now have the opportunity of an entertaining and instructive discussion, if Freeman will accept Smith's challenge. We should prefer and would suggest that the place of discussion be changed from Brownsville to the Hall of the House of Representatives in this city. What say the disputants.—Nashville American.