The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-12-30


of paying out"-says it will "stand aloof
and let the high contracting parties sue eacl
other, or compromise, as their respective in
terests may demand" &c. The undersign
ed, who constitute, majority of the building
committee, take this public method of releas
ing the Athens Division from any and all in
debtedness to this Hall, growing, either out
of their response to the printed circular
their sanction of the action of the February
Convention, or any pledge of "FiieiitV to
the solemn and binding obligations" they
took upon themselves, including their "hon
ors as men," when they were Initiated We
feel perfectly confident that we shall be able
to meet all demands against us, without the
aid of Athens Division; and if we are not, il
would be humiiating to receive money from
a repudiating Division. The Grocery Keeper
Of this city, has contributed S25, to aid us
and on this account, we release the Athens
Division!
Referring to the part the Rev. Mr.. Cald-
well, of Athens, acted, in the February Con.
vention, this egicial Proclamation, by the
Athens Division says:
"a citizen Of Athens, Rev. G. A. Caldwell,
was in attendance at the Convention; but dis
claimed being the representative of any body
or association, and entered his name upon the
express terms of being recognised as standing
in his individual capacity"
This unfortunate statement is wholly at
variance with the truth on the subject it
treats. Mr. Caldwell was on the committee
to prepare business for the Convention, and
served without objection. He did not open
his mouth upon the points set forth in the
foregoing extract, but was one of many, who
came forward and signed his name in book
purchased for the purpose, approving the acts
and deeds of the Convention. And this was
among the last acts of the members. The
Athens Division ought to have submitted
this miserable statement to Mr.. Caldwell, for
rs persons at distance may sup
pose that the statement was made with his
sanction!
The Athens Division concludes its mani
feStO in these words
1--WE earnestly urge the Divisions to send
delegates to the meeting of the State Grand
Division at Knoxville, on the goth of Janua-
ry; and we also call upon all such to refn6&
to enter into the Grand Division of East
nessee. This Division will utterly refu %
take part in the movement Our determina-
ton is to adhere to the Grand Division of
1tHneSsee. We never sought new arrange
ment, and We will not be transferred.
The Grand Division of the State, convenes
in Knoxville, on Wednesday the 18th of Jan.
uary, and the Grand Division of East Ten
nessee, meets on Thursday the 10Th of Jan.
uary The Athens Division has called n
meeting of its own, on Friday tho Goth it
would seem! As the Hall was built for the
use of the new Grand Division, and as it can
not get through with its regular business in
one day, the Athens Division will not think
hard in our refusing to surrender the Hall,
for their usel
The undersigned cannot resist the convic-
ton, that the members Of the Athens Divi-
sion who issued this document, desire to be
released from their obligations, as Sons of
temperance, and that they have taken this
step, rs the means of getting out of iie Order.
They must have more sense than to suppose
hey can live within the bounds of one Grand
Division. and be attached TO another. If this
5 a trick Of theirs to dissolve their connection
With the Order, we hope, for the honor of
hc "cause of all mankind" that tfiSaEil
Ibstain from the use Of "Spirituous and Malt
liquors, Wlnc or Clder.
If they are in earnest about attending the
irand Division here, on the 18th, we cordial
y invite them TO marshal their forces
o burnlsh their armor, and prepare their am
and meet us here and defend them
elves. We promise them they shall be heard,
With open doors, and they have now arrived
t point in this controversy, when, in the
Judgment of the public, defense of them
elves is necessary, If they will meet US be-
ore the citizens Of this town, and the mem
'crs of the Grand Division, we will give them
n opportunity of acknowledging or denying
he seal of their Division! They have a few
Individuals Of surprising genius in their
Division, and if these will meet us here we
viii aid in erecting fit monument to their
baracters !. ..s .s4sss.. .s..
The Athens Division, in boastingly de-
laring the purpose of its members not to
AVE anything to do with the new Grand Di-
ision, has shown some more ingenuity than
meets the eye of one, not acquainted with
he principles of our Order. The undersign-
d expect to be members of the new Divis-
on, and they may deem il their Duty to object
o the initiation Of certain men under certain
Y
eem and confidence of Sons of Temperance,
o vote for the election into their Divisions,
whether Grand or Subordinate, of gentlemen,
nd to extend to them "a brothers hand and
brothers welcome ~ In the language of
document with which all tho Sons are fa-
niliar, and which we regard as both solemn
nd binding, it is our duty "to exercise the
most rigid scrutiny into the CONDUCT Of those
cho aspire 10 become associated toith as. In
hal same document we are taught, that
neither the wealth of an individual-his in
luential position in society-nor the most
talents-can enitlc him 10 ap.
roach our crcle--if, with all these, he is
wanting in integriety' If, in the judgment
,f the undersigned, those who have de-
lounced our New Dvisop-rcpudiating their
iolemn and binding obligations, voluntarily
aiken upon themselves, al Athens, or else
where are wanting in ntegrity-if they have
lot been "courteous, aflable and brothery,"
vc, who have pledged our honor, rs men, to
defend the reputation of the Sons of Tenn
,erancc, will feel bound to oppose their re-
eption into our new organization
Different objections have been urged to
he new Division, at different times, by this
association ut Athens, but we have
he proof ''clear and unquestionable," that
hey were inSincee in urging those objec-
ions. A prominent member of that associa-
ion has stated the cause of tier opposition,
which Is wholly different from hm they have
tated, and will reflect but little credit on
hom when, made public. IL they will meet
IS at PhiAippi, on the 10Th Of January, they
AZ n A.