The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-10-15
MAI. HENRY AT ATHENS.


aroused on Friday last by the eloquent adj
dress Of this distinguished champion of their
cause. Col. Howard, the Democratic Elec-
tor for the Lebanon District, opened the de-
bate, and we will do the young gentleman
the Justice to say that for fairness and libe-
rality, and gcntlemanly bearing he far exceed
ed all his predecessors in the advocacy OF the
claims of Pierce. He is quite an intelligent
promising young man, and had he met and
debated with gentleman to whom he was
in any respect IN equal, would have gone
from amongst us with his reputation en-
HANGED. and himself and friends not quite so
crest-falen and chagrined. As it was, he left
our people, not in anger at anything that fell
from his lips, but more in sympathy for the
man, that talents so promising, and deport-
ment so generous and high-mnded, had so
small an opportunity for display. We know
that the wings all speak in highest terms OF
Mr.. Howard as gentleman, and that the
democrats feel that his star was dimmed and
obscured by the splcndor and brilliancy Of
his eloquent and distinguished opponent. -
And we are sure that we mean no disparagc-
ment to the former, when we say that the
address of the latter as far OutshOnc his, IN
all the clements pertaining to effective popu-
lar oratory, Ms the "moon outshines the lesser
stars" ~ -
We had all heard of Maj. Henry's brilliant
reputation. Many of us had heard his thrill
ling voice in days long gone by. The thun-
ders of his orntory had aroused the enthusi-
asm of tho East Tennessee masses in the
memorable campaign of IA, and his smooth
and gentle tones had wound themselves a.
round the life strings of the Wings of this
mountain land, until his name was familiar to
our people "as household words" His open,
manly countenancc, his piercing eagle eye,
his noble generous bearing, and fine majes-
tic form were fresh in the recollection of us
all, and his appearance amongst us again has
awakened the wing fire which has been slum-
bering so long, and has thrown the people
gain into deep, fervent and joyous enthusi-
asm. The first words he uttered when he
arose thrilled through the hearts of his audi
cnce like an electric shock, and in 4 moment
the mass before him were in blaze. For an
hour and half the delighted crowd hung
upon his words, at times in brcathless sus-
pense and again aroused up to the most excl
ted degree of wild enthusiasm, enchained by
the orator. and swavcd and borne away at his
will. Not a syllable of his lofty eloqucnce
was lost to their ears every outpouring Of
his burning patriotism met with cordial re-
sponsc in the bosoms of his hearers = all his
well.trained arguments = his cogent and I'M
answcrablc reasoning fell, convicting, convinc-
ing and establishing, upon the minds of those
who were candid enough to seek the truth
whilst his fervent eloqucnce, his lashing sar-
casm, his burning wit, and his touching, ami
mating appeals, awakened from their lethar-
gy those who have been slumbering at their
posts, and aroused into \ storm the firm and
fast supporters of the glorious old hero,
whose cause is the cause of gratitude, ofpa-
triotism and Of the country.
His vindication of the old chic!tan and
warrior from the malicious shafts Of his willy
traducers was most eloquent and triumphant.
The insignificant claims of Pierce to the sup
port of gallant people were exhibited in all
their littleness, whilst the unholy associates
and allies of the candidate Of the Democracy
were dragged from their hiding places and
placed before the audience in all their dcform-
ity. Pierce, the heartless and almost headless
man, was shown forth in his true colors,
while the friends of pensions, of the Indian
fighters of the west, of the widow of the
Revolutionary soldier, stood in mute aston-
that such IN enemy of theirs should
be seeking their support Pierce, the bigoted
politician, was introduced to the friends of
Rivers and Harbors, who were ashamed that
such an enemy of theirs should be seeking
their support. Pierce, the friend, ally and
intimate associate of the abolition and free
soil party was depicted to his followers of the
South, while they could not but blush that
so great an enemy of theirs should be seeking
their support. While Scott the great warrior,
civilian, dipomatist and chicftain, in all the
attributes of his great character was delinea-
ted to the admring and joyous crowd. Oh!
it was u glorious day for the friends of our
cause, and one long to be remembered. All
doubt of the support of Scott by the people
of Tennessee was at once dispeled, and the
eagle Orator" retired from the stand amid
the repeated shouts of happy and joyful
crowd.
CHARLESTON Mass MEETNG.-M essrs.
Nicholson and Eastman, came up on the Cars
on yesterday evening, on their return from
the Charleston Mass Meeting, They inform
IL ,,s chat thnra WAS from dOOO IA hOOO Ia