THE CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTHERN STATES; The Breckinridge Movement in Tennessee; Great Speech of William L. Yancey at Memphis (8/21/1860)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 8/21/1860

[Homer_J_Simpson]

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Wednesday, Aug. 15, 1860. Hon. WILLIAM L. YANCEY addressed the citizens of Memphis, last evening, on the political topics of the day. He had an immense audience, and was listened to with the profuondest attention from the beginning to the end, although he spoke for over four hours. The meeting was held in a vacant lot on Jefferson-street, opposite the theatre. I send you a full report of his speech -- the only report, by the way, that was made of this most remarkable and eloquent address. FELLOW-CITIZENS OF TENNESSEE: -- If you will give me your attention to-night I will endeavor to address you as one honest man ought to speak to another -- frankly, truthfully, fearlessly. I know where I stand and in whose presence I am. I know too what has been said, in relation to my humble self and my opinions, in this State, by the Press and by influential individuals. What I have to say to you to-night will be in behalf of the Democracy, of the Constitution and of the Union under the Constitution. Of those who have been opposed to me, possibly whose minds have been prejudiced, whose ears have been filled with unkind sayings (to speak of it in the most charitable terms), I only ask a patient hearing. Of the patriot, who wishes his country well and who would himself, willingly or willfully, do nothing that would be injurious to the interests of that country, I ask a like candid hearing. Of all, to all and about all, what I say, as I said before, I shall endeavor to say with frankness, with truthfulness, and, I trust, with a proper respect for them and for myself.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The speech of William L. Yancey was arranged in part by Nathan Bedford Forrest. It was the subject of the excerpt from the Bedford bio posted on August 14 (see reply #5).

The Campaign in the Southern States; The Breckinridge Movement in Tennessee; Great Speech of William L. Yancey – 2-6
Disunion Project---Curious Correspondence – 7
Mr. Lincoln Declines to be Catechized* – 7
Editorial: Mr. Yancey’s Speech – 7
Arrival of the New Mexican Mail – 7
Base Ball: Excelsior of Brooklyn vs. Empire of New York; Baltic vs. Manhattan; Mutual of New York vs. Atlantic of Brooklyn – 8
Thurlow Weed in Reply to Horace Greeley – 8
Burglary and Recovery of Stolen Goods – 8
The New Pipes over the High Bridge – 8
A Lady Rescued - 8
Common Council – 8

* It is probable that this letter was signed by John G. Nicolay, not John G. Nicholas.

[rustbucket]

I will archive that Yancey speech. Thank you for posting it.

[rustbucket]

Just clearing my tagline, which became contaminated with “[rustbucket]:” which I inadvertently used in another post.