The Lancaster Gazette

Parson Brownlow and S. Carolini.

A committee of Charleston gentlemen have prepared and distributed a Circular, having for its object a Southern Convention, to "resist the aggressions of the Free Soil faction at every hazard." One of these Circulars having been sent to Parson Brownlow, that free-spoken gentleman thus responds to it:

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn., Nov. 22. 1848.

Gentlemen:-

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular of this month, and also the published proceedings in pamphlet form, to which you allude. I have perused both with the attention the grave subjects of discussion demand, and I now hasten to respond, though with more brevity than I would wish on account of my many pressing engagements. In what I may say, I intend nothing disrespectful to you, gentlemen, or the "Citizens of Charleston," whom you have the honor to represent. Nor do I intend the slightest reflection upon the Whigs of South Carolina. I entertain the highest respect for that Spartan band of Whigs, who, against most formidable odds, for a series of years, have maintained their column unbroken, and shown themselves worthy of the principles which they so gallantly espoused.

But with all due reference to them collectively, and to you individually, I must decline, gentlemen, co-operating with South Carolina in anything, or at any time. And in the absence of information, touching any new issue that may be made, in our country hereafter, I only desire to know which side of a question South Carolina advocates; it will be my duty, as it is my purpose, to take the opposite side!

In the recent Presidential election. I discover that your State has voted for General Cass, a notorious Abolitionist—known to be such. He was born an Abolitionist-he was raised one-and he is still one-having avowed himself to be a Wilmot Provisoist, upon the floor of the Senate, in the hearing of Mr. Calhoun, who instructed you to vote for him. I regard Mr. Calhoun, your great leader, as a corrupt politician, and a dangerous man, seeking to dissolve this glorious Union. I regard him as insincere in all pretended concern for the South. The leading politicians of the democratic party in your State, I regard as a band of Nullifiers and disorganizers, who, with all their cheap professions of chivalry, and their affected disdain of the alleged selfishness of the Free States, are as time serving and office seeking, as any set of politicians within the range of my observation. And a belief on the part of Mr. Calhoun, that Cass would be elected, in connection with his inordinate desire for office, induced him to order his understrappers in your Legislature to vote for Cass.

And now gentleman, look at the position your State occupies! Side by side you stand, with the Abolitionists of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois! Arm in arm is South Carolina with the Hartford Convention Federalists of New Hampshire!—Hand in hand, you are, with the Repudiator of Illinois! "Cheek by jowl" you are marshalled among the Murderers and Thieves of Texas! What a mixture! What political associations! For my part I never intend to be associated with a party which expects, needs, or seeks favors of South Carolina!

I regard your proposition for a "Convention of the Slave holding States," together with an expressed determination "to resist at all hazards," what you pleased to style "the aggressions of the Free Soil Faction," as a revolutionary movement, having for its object the dissolution of this Union, and as such, I throw it back upon you with feelings of indignation and contempt.

I am a Southern man, with Southern principles, and will ever be found true to Southern interests, unless the South in an evil hour, should consent to be led by John C. Calhoun, whom General Jackson sought to hang for Treason and rebellion, during his Presidential reign!

In conclusion, gentlemen, my advice to you, and the citizens of South Carolina whom you represent, is, to abandon your mad schemes of Nullification and Disunion and submit, as quiet and peaceable citizens, to the laws and Constitution of your Country. In obedience to the injunctions of Holy Writ, "obey them that have the rule over" and "be at peace among yourselves." If Gen. Taylor is the man I take him to be, and you urge your treasonable schemes of Disunion, he will carry out the measures Gen. Jackson set on foot among you-he will hang some of your leaders, and subdue the rest of you at the point of the bayonet. He will send among you that same sterling Whig, Winfield Scott, at the head of our Regulars, who made his appearance in the Harbor of Charleston, in 1832, under orders from Andrew Jackson!

I am gentlemen,

With great respect, &c.,

W. G. BROWNLOW.