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

copy of speech which delivered on the
Goth of this Instant, at a meeting of both
political pa rites in Benton. Ever wishing
to crafty my friends, have consented u
comply with your request a, as early pe'
riod a. may SUIT my convenience.
Yours. &C.,
Most respectfully,
JAMES r. BUCHANAN.
SPEECH.
My Counirymen:-We have assembled
to-day, for the purpose OF making pub.
lie expression of our anxletes and hopes
for the preservation of the Union. We
have seen. for many days, convolyng
clouds hang heavily over the councils OF
our country. This mighty gloom seemed
to lower over the whole land, but let US
i0y TO day, that the more retulgent sun
which rose on the morning Of tine 4th Of
July, l776, and gave birth TO land OF Lbs
er,ie., has again burs,ed forth in his mid.
day powers upon this republic, and in his
superior blaze IS rapidly dispellins the iogs
OF dIssension from The mind OF the country.
Well cen we boast, in the midst OF this
nineteenth century, . Clay,a Cas.. Ber-
rien, and q Websler-while these gigantic
spirits concord, our county cannot be dlvld-
rd-wh'le they live our coantry cannot die.
We This dav. my coun,rymen, live in the
same hemisphere oi freedom, which was
given by Washington, cherished by a
Jefferson, and malntaihed by Jackson.
America, name which has never failed
to fill me with the most lively emoions.-
Ia nv earliest infancy, that tender season
when impressions at once the most pow
trful are likely 10 he excited. the story Of
her first struggles for liberty raised a throb
OF The love Ot country in my heart, which
continues 10 beat cOexIeDsive with every
thought upon the subject OF liberty. by
a look 10 the history of ,hls proud repub-
lie, saw her spurnng alike those luxuTes
that would enervale, and those legions Jhat
would lnl,midale; dashng frcm her lips
the poisoned cup Of European servltude;-
through all the troubles and viclssitudes Of
a long rrolracted conflict, displaying a
bold magnanimny that deteG nislot, Ine.
and calm moderation that geve new grace
10 victory. II was the first vision, the
first thou.,ht of my childhood; it will des-
cend with me 10 the grave. Search crea-
ton round, where can you find a country
that presents SO sublime a view, so inter-
ps,lnc an anticipation? What compre-
hensive policy Is ours! What a wise
+uualisallon OF every political advantage
and every religious right! The Oppres-
sed OF any and every country, the martyrs
of every creed, the innocent victims OF des-
pOtIc arrogance or supersIlious phrensy,
can here find a refuge; their industry en-
couraged, their pety respected, Their am
buIon animated. with no restraint but the
laws which are the same 10 all, and no dis
,,ncliOn but that which merit originates.
Who can deny that the existence OF such
a country as ours. with its present pros
pects, presents a subject for human con-
eralu!a,lon Who will deny that its si-
pantic Advancement offers a field for the
mos, reasonable conjecture. Al the end
OF the present century, if our country pro-
ceeds as she seems 10 promise, what
wondrous spectacle will she exhibll!-
When the iolies or crimes OF the old
world will have inferred all the pride CT
its power. and all the pomp and splentor
Of lis civilization, human nature will ind
It's destined renovation on tolumblan soil.
have no doubt that when the temples
and trophies OF the old world shall have
moulded INTO dust-when the glores OF
their name shall be but the legend OF ira
dlion, and The light and blaze Of their
achievements only live IN song, phlloso
ply will rise again m the sky OF our coun.
iIy's Franklin. and glory rekinde a, the
urn OF our counrry's Washington.
This is not VISION OF romantic fancy
II is not improbable look at the events.
which Tor the last twenty years, have roll
led like iempeslOus lides over the surface
of The European world.
appeal To history! appeal TO the rev.
erend chronicler Of the grave; If all the
illusions of ambition realized, il all the
wealth Of an universal commerce, II all
the achievements Of successful aeroism.
or all the establishments Of the worlds WIS
dom, can secure to empire the permanency
of its possessions' Troy thought so once.
vet the land OF Priam lives only in sone!-
At one time Thebes thought so, yet her
hundred gates have crumb,ed. and her
tombs are but as the dust they were lnten-
ded 10 commemorate. So though, Pal'
n,yra; and ask where is she2 Persepolis
thought so too, look nj her now. Deneath
yon waste where roaming Lions how'll
The countries Of Demoslhenes and the
Spartan, acted and rested with the same
faith, ye, Leonidas is uamplel as dust by
the umId slave!
Athens insulled by the lifeless. servle
Ottoman! Time has swerr over all their
vanltles, from the palace TO the tomb =
The days of their spendor are as ii they
had never been; and this land, which
was then a rude speck IN the barren ocean.
nov rivals the ublqul,y oi their commerce,
the glory OF their arms. the tame OF their
philosophy. the eloquence cf their cnun>
clls, and The verse Of their bards. Then,
my counlrymen, while We continue to
make ourselves glad. under the happy in
Auence Of Arm assurance, iouaded upon