The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-08-23

|
a remark with regard 10 the Father of out
country. You must know that speak OF
| General George Washington. was
taught from my cradle to call him by that
name.
In The production Of Washington, it does
| really seem as if nature was endeavoring
to improve upon herself A Caesar could
be merci'ul--a Scipio could be content-a
Hannibal could be patient, but it was re.
ser7ed Tor Washington TO blend them all
in one. He was wise in peace, terrible
! in war, great in humanity, and humble ia
devotion. A conGueror. he was untainted
with the crime OF blood A revolutions
Isl, he was free from any stain of treason}
for aggression began the contest, and his
country called him TO the command. Lib.
~ unshealhed his sword. necessity
Sized II, md victory returned It. But
the last glorious act I shall meu.ivu,
crowned his career. Washington, after
having emancipated the American colos
MES, a glorious hemisphere, resigned ito
crown, and preferred the retirement Of do.
mestic life to the alteration Of land hs
nigh, be almost said to have creatsd.-
He was the boon OF Providence TO the hu.
man race; creation was his residence-his
fame is eternity
But to return. In observing the condi-
lion of our country for the pas, fifteen
years, have often been shocked a, the
:avings and madness Of its rulers. Pres
sidents seemed TO be but tenants for an
hour; Statesmanship seemed to dwindls
into vassaage; and the whole political
globe appeared TO culver as with an earths
quake, and who could tell wha. venerable
monument was first TO be shivered beneath
the splendid, frishtful, and repo,eless hear.
ings Of the political volcano! But what
has Brought US toge,her-what has so sig
naly united Us amid this palsy OF our
representatives? the people! the first aud
last, and best and noblest, as well as safest
sincerity Of a virtuous government.
Although there are tears, there are hopes
also. see the union star blazing in the
Congress OF the United States. The great
question will be settled as we believe; II
ought 10 be settled The act would bs
proud, the means would be christian-mus
iual torbearance, mutual indulgence, mus
lual concession; | would say TO the North
concede. would say TO the South forgive.
would say 10 both, though your localitiss
are different. you have one common coun.
try. This hostility between localities has
been the rupture and disgrace Of our pos
lIlica faith.
But the ccns.itutionality Of the subject
is not for me to argue; it cannot be 10 bets
ter hands than some OF those Of our states
men; and l can have no doubt that when
they bring their rank, their learning, their
Il. ia 4, teNA
deIlberatlon, all portions Of the Union will
share equally in their action. d hope IL
from their wisdom; expect it from their
policy; lclalm it from their justice.
make my appeal peculiarly at this mo.
menf. when all the illustrious statesmen Of
America are assembled in the metropolis
ofhe nation 10 pronounce upon the rights
Of the Union, All we ask is equal rights.
For many years we were silent and OF
course neglected. The consequence was
mos, natural. Why should Congress
grant right. and privileges to men who did
not think those rights and privileges worth
the solicitation But the evening and
the morning have changed the political
feature Of our condition. BY the continued
assault of the North, she has been made 10
assert and claim her constitutional rightS.
The first successful exertion in our favors
was made by Senator from en- abolition
State. Our enemies fled the field. The
hear; whitening term. disunion. was blown
from our councils by Daniel Webster.-
The whole land seems as if it were wa.
tered from arch fountain Of peace. We
see all our countrymen. from the mountain
to the sea shore, marching in the same
Iine---a unity OF teellng-a unity OF
unity Of interest, fills up the
whole land with prospects most refulgent
and llaltering.
But we must keep some Of our best feel.
ings fUr the toast, when we shall hear
that Congress will have settled the quss.
ton.
Oh my coun,rymen. does not look At
tins wide spread land of freedom. give new
lie and energy TO every American heart:
Her brow blooming with the wealth OF
science. Her councils marked for talent;
piely, and patriotism. Her flag moving
her ample folds in the breath OF heavsn.-
The extreniiies OF earth acknowledging
her name as superior. Her hills and VAL
ic. Her plains clittering with the offerings
OF art. E1eT HeIuS WaVeiOg Win tH6 uOSS
exuberant fruits of agriculture. Her ports
animated with the contributions Of com.
merce. Her temples vocal with uurs.
strlc,ed Pieiy.
Oh! happy proud America, the light
nings of heaven yield 10 thy philosophy;
nor can all the temptations Of earth sedues
thu patriotism. Yes, and she continues to
grow as the horid plan. in the middle Of
summer.
Look Il, the immense territory, lying on
,ur Southwest, which is claimed and
owned by this republic. When these
older States become SO densely populated
hat we cannot find room for all their 10.
nabiants. there will be homes for all
" no seek them for the next two hundred
years. For IN the wilderness where the
human eye never saw, where the savage
foot never irod. where nature lives and
blooms alone, where the bird sings only
for the comfort of her companion, where
the fish play unbridled In the darkened
stream that rolls through the unbeaten for
rest. will vet be peoped aud cultivated BY
us or our descendants. There, nv coun-
,rymen. our children, or our childrsn's
children will walk and talk. and sing and
play. and breathe the same republican ait
that blows upon US to-day. We learn that
there are most salubrious climes-,hat