The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-02-15
COL. WILLIAM HElSKELL.

TO this worthy and excellent gentleman
are the people Of East Tennessee greatly
indebted, for his zeal and enthusiasm mani
tested in their behalf, during tie session o.
the LEGISLATURE that has inst closed It's Ia
hors. In the prosecution OF our Internal
Improvement interests before that body,
many have been the difficulties against
which our friends have had 10 con'enu'-
There was the stupidity Of ignorance the
bigotry Of preconceived preJudiceS--'he
bitter opposition OF men determined to OPP
pose everything looking in It's results to the
good of the community--these were things
hat had to be me-, quietly. and to be over
come with patience. A false public opIn-
len had been created by Influential, design
ing men, for the purpose of CONTROLLING the
Legislature. and 10 cause them TO withhold
from US any extent of assistance whatever.
THIS had to be met, modified and corrected.
An attack was made upon ourCompany BY
the notorious Senator from Oeerton, who
has rendered himself peculiarly. famous by
his connection with the subject. This at
tack had to be calmly met and disposed Of.
AT the opening OF the session all the ele-
menrs seemed to be auayed against us
Upheld and Supported ty that overwcening
love for the people, whlch, iase TO Their
true interests, would always endeavor to
put money in the public purse without per-
hitting even ajudiciols expenditure Of it.
A gainst all this, and much more, had the
friends Of our Road to contend. which du-
ty was discharged by none with more deyo-
ton than by Col. Heiskell. 1t has been an
interchangeable struggle from frs, to last. and
Col. II. is entitled TO the thanks of the en-
tire community, for his constant unremit-
Ting efforts in our bc.alt.
Col. VIM. NJ. Biggs, iIoater from Polk,
McMinn and Monroe, Col. Upton Of Brad
lev, Mckinney of B!ount, Parsons Of
Knox, and Lane of McMinn, have all
proved themselves e,rnes, and untiring
friends of our Road, and have faithfully
commended for the interests OF their con
stI,uents, in that respect a, least.
We annex a paragraph or two in this
connexion from late number of the Nash.
vile Union:
"The Legislature has authorized Cover
nor TIousdaIe TO issue six per cent coupon
bonds Of the State to The amount Of three
nunrcd and Gtly thousand dollars, to aid
in the purchase Of iron and equipments ne
ces>ary for the East Tennessee and Geor-
gja railroad. The part Of lhis road from
Dalton 10 the Tennessee river, when com,
pleteI. will cost million and a.half of dol
lars. The interest of the State in it is four
hundred and twenty six thousand five hun
lred dollars: which will soon become an
active interest paying fund.
One and a-half per cent interest on the
whole capital invested, will pay the inter
sst on the loan; and dividend Of eight
per cent. will give the State more than
.ix per cent on her stock. paid for in five
per cent bonds.
We congratulate the whole people Of
East Tennessee upon the intelligence, yea
md unanmi,y which their Senators and
brought into their service
n support Of this measure. 1t is true thai
hey have not yet obtained an approprial
ion in aid of the road, from Knoxville to
lie Virginia line; but they may be certain
hat when the cars once reach the former
point, they will not stop there. 1t will be
Is difficult 10 do, as TO prevent the wa.ers
If the Mississippi from flowing into the
Gulf of Mexico. II &e people of Eas,
Tennessee are true to themselves, they will
ellizc results very quickly, which will g'adI
len the heart of every citizen within her
widespread borders.
1, would be unjust to close our remarks
upon this interesting topic without stating
hat Judge Reyes, the president Of this
and Messrs Heskell and Smith,
directors on the par. Of the State, have re-
moved strong prejudices and made friends
o their enterprise of enemies. Ii is i'm
possible that any men could have been
more anxious and unlling in the discharge
IF their trusts, and in doing good for the
benefit Of the great and prosperous COM
nunily, oi which they are distinguished
md honoreI members"
If the questions which now agilate the
political circles IN relation to slavery in the
abstract, are not settled shortly by the GA
ors by trade-lhe aglators for talks sake
the indications are that the people will
settle it, by settling them! GlddIngs s. Co.