The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-12-30
w. G.. BROWNLOW,
w. G.. O'BRlEN.
December Is, 1853.

w. G. BROWNLOW,
w. G. O'BRlEN.
December Is, 1853.
The undersigned do not know who are
the members of the Athens Division, but they
have no doubt that there are men of honor,
truth, and picty, connected with it, notwithd-
ing their unequivocal denial of their o,on off,
ciaI acts. The charity of the Bible, as well
rs the "Love, Purity and Fidelity" of our
Order, "the three great principles on which
we rest" requires us to believe that a portion
of the members Of Athens Division, in Civ
ing their sanction to this gross violation of
truth, were not members of that Division two
years ago, and that they were not apprised of
the previous acts of their ''illustriOus prede-
cess0rs."
The Subordinate Divisions of East Ten
nessee, having sanctioned this movement, the
Knoxville Division, October was a year ago,
SER legates 10 Nashville, and by them, a
MeindriaL to the Grand Division, from which
the following extract is taken:
This Division, therefore, in behalf of the
Order, in this end of the State, respectfully
submit to the G. W. P. and members of the
Grand Division of Tennessee that East Ten
nessee is separated from the rest Of the State,
by such mountain barriers, and by such adis-
tance, that it is separate and distinct field
of operation-that Knoxville is the metropo-
lis of the Eastern Division-situated l60 miles
west Of the Virginia and North Carolina lines
-l60 miles east of the Alabama line, and
about mid way between Georgia and the
State of Kentucky on the north and south
and that every consideration of the Order.
requires that we should haye a separate or
ganization, and we most sincerely pray it may
be granted" -. -
A Grand Division, appointed committee
of three able men, citizens of Middle Ten
nessce, to consider of This whole matter, who
made an able and streport, which will be
found on page 4S, of the Journals of the
Session. From that report we beg leave to
submit the following extract ....
"Your Committee to whom were referred
the communication from the Knoxville Divi-
sion, No. 3, asking for Grand Division in the
Eastern Division of the State, would respect
fully report, that, while we would be glad TO
look upon the faces of our brethren beyond
the mountains, yet the disproportionate
length of our State, and the natural barriers,
hold them in perpetual quarantine. There
fore we think their request reasonable and
JuSt, uhu NOuiu ououiib iOilOM luB IcsOlu-
ton:
Resolved That this Grand Division request
their representatives to their National Div-
sion to ask for Grand Division in East Ten
nessee, dividing the two sections by such n
boundary as in their opinion may seem best"
This Report was carried up to the Nation
al Division, in June last, which held its Ses-
sion at Chicago, and was concurred in, and
the Grand Division of this State was order
ed to set us apart, which was done in Octo-
Der last, and Thursday, the 18th of january,
1854, was the day agreed upon to organize
the pew Grand Division. The Most Worthy
Scribe, ut Philadelphia, writes TO an officer OF
the Knoxville Division, that the Charter,
Books and Cards, together with 100 sets of
the New Ritual, have all been forwarded to
Nashville, for the use of this New Grand Di-
vision, and will be handed over in person, by
HUGH CARROLL, the Grand Scribe of the
State.
This is n brief, but correct history Of this
whole affair; from its commencement to the
present time. 1t is, perhaps, proper to state,
in this connection, that Temperance Con-
vention was held in this City, in February
last, composed 800 delegates, representing
t,renty-seren out of the thirty counties in
East Tennessee-AthenS being represented
likewise, which Convention, Dithout one dis
senting roice, adopted the following resou-
ton:
Resolved. That this Convention, composed
of an equal number Of 'Sons" and Members
of other Temperance Associations, alike
friendly to the same great principle, in view
of the fact that a Grand Division is to be
created in East Tennessee, during the present
year. recommend all the Subordinate Divi.
sions in this end Of the state, to contribute
according to their abilities when called up.
on, TO erect large and commodious Tenn.
perance Hall in the City Of Knoxville, which
property shall be decided to said Grand Di.
vision, to be held in trust by Trustees, and
heir successors in office forever being alike
owned by the Subordinate Divisions Of said
new Grand Division and that Knoxville hi.
vision, No. 3, now actively working in this
CITY, be authorized to secure the title-nnd
erect the building through building com
mittee.
The Athens Division now dlRiiBgiy speaks
of our having "run in debt without the means