The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-10-24

Mr.. EDITOR - mere - ""e 'u'"s "e'"S
allowed, IN our community, when IS,
think, as repuenant to reason and right as
il is 10 good feeling ard good taste. | al
Jude to the CO finempnt nt that most
strange and unhappy man, DR.. Hawk, in
our common Jail. Now II is moi tor the
purpose of finding fault with those who
have acted n the case, that this unpleas"
ant subject is called mp. am well aware
of the difficulties which have met and
embarrassed the action of the men RpoaA
whom has dpvolved the duty Of consider
ing, and providing for this singular case.
And my sole object now is 10 enquire,
whether, in view of all the circumstances,
some, hing cannot be done, and done al once,
TO better the condition Of this miserable
man, and relieve the feelings OF the COM
mnnty. II is not our province, nor isl
in our mower 10 determine the actual a.
mount, or character, of arrangement or
disease existing in this case. Sill 1t may
safely be affirmed that It would be quite
improper and unsafe for him TO run at
large. The question then Immediately iol'
lows, What should be done? What is due,
under all the circumstances, TO HIM and 10
ourselves? Reason. policy, humanity, an.
SWeT, w UdIcVtT WIZ tDOst w ~"
presen, comfort and Ultimate recovery, and
at the same time 10 the safety, the peace,
and the generous christian character Of our
community, should receive our prompt at
tpn,ion. In admitting this. as we all must,
we as plainly admit that our course, upto
this lime, has been improper. inasmuch as
its direct and inevitable tendency is towards
results just the opposite OF these. Upon
these points. doubt not. we all feel very
deep and lively interest, and would most
willingly lend our aid TO better the condi-
ton OF things. But we claim il to be The
duty of age and experience 10 lead the
way-to point us TO the means and mea-
surcs most likely TO secure the ends con-
ternpared. Only let them do this, and we
are quite sure there is enough OF magnani-
nous. humane feeling amongst us to ac~
complish the object. II have been cor-
recty informed It has cost the county even
more to-keep him here--wrelChed as that
keepiEg has been-than it would have
done. for the same length Of time. had he
heen sent to tho Asylum at Nashville
Must il not be matter OF deep regret. TO
every man OF proper feeling and consider.
alton, that alter the necessary expense had
been incurred in establishing an institution,
adapted TO the wants OF ,hi- unhappy class
of beings, the same body thus providing
Tor them, should, by its own deliberate en-.
aclment, virtually close its doors and ex-
clude them from its benefits? Such, at
least, have been the rrac'Ical workings Of
the law relating to this malIer. in the pre-.
sent instance. And it is with pleasure
learn that steps have already been taken
,L- H. ha ~
tina, portion of law, which holds the com.
~ sending more than one Lunatic, ac-
counrabe for any damages such Iunalic or
luEalcs NAV occasion-requfing the c. air.
man OF the County Court 10 sign bond,
for large amount. 10 that effect. bPfore
one of these rery men far uhom the instiiu-
ton ,rns expressly prepared. can gam adj
miiiance. Nav II not be hoped this matt
Ter will be lcuked to, and so adjusted, as
that the original desi gns OF this benevolent
undertaking may be fully secured, and the
claims oil humanity promptly and efficieRt>
ly met, without any section or county be.
ing forced into The dangerous necessity Of
placing itself 10 In attitude TO be oppres.
sed or injured. For what to the whole
Stale nigh. be very light matter. would.
falling upon single county, be sufficient,
literally TO ruin IL. But while in common
with all good and true citizens, we are sim
cerely solici,ous that all our laws mavrs
wise. impartial. sautary, and of easy and
equal application, and especially those re-
lalne to and regulating the subject under
consideration. we confess that as member
of this community. we feel more immedi-
arelv and strongly concerned for The speedy
relief ct the unfortunate msn, whose pre.
sent dep'orable, DEGRADED. suffering si,ua.
ii"n. constants US to seek this method of
urging the considera'e, the generous. the
humane. to examine into. and act upon his
case. And let it not he forgotten that chil.
" November is almost al rheidoor. and that
miserable as his condition now is, it is dai.
" becoming moIe insupporiable. And must
he still suffer. suffer, suffer, and must this
be the beginning. The ending-the entire
Of every days experience. And without
mitigation or sympathy. must he suffer on
and on. and denied the generous warmth,
and liGh, OF Heaven, which is shed alike
upon the evil and upon the good. he
doomed to endure. and pine, and perish,
uncheered by single ray of hope, except
the faint, forlorn one, Of uncerinIn, snail.
paced legislative action! A thousand
tongues, moVeu Nv the gushing Firth of
tender, manly sympathy. declare. "These
things ought not so TO be-" Angels, as
they wipe the falling tear at The sight of
nodis'inciion being made on earth between
misfortune and crime. respond in accents,
deep and touching as Heavens own pi,y.
".rhese things ought MOI so TO be-" While
He who has said "Thou shalt love ,hy
neiehbor as myself" and "Do unto ali
men. as thou wouldst have them do unto
thee" repeats, with startling and terrible
emphasis, "These things ought not so 10
be-" Let the whole community, as the
heart and voice oil one man, determine and
declare. g. These things shall not longer bes"
.a"d the object must, wiH be accomplished.
J. w. MILLER.
Athens. Oct. 2lst, 1851.
every man can be really great, IL he
Ill La,