The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-06-03


TIE CoSRGREssIoSAL CANvAss.-A friend
at Tellico Plains writes us that the candi-
dates for Congress had q large and attentive
audience to hear them, at that place, on Sat-
urday last. He informs us that the discus.
sions between Messrs. Van Dyke and Smith
are conducted in the most courteous and hon.
orable manner, and that the former made a
very favorable impression at Te!lico and at
Gardens Mill, at both which points he heard
them. We have always had high opinion
of Mr.. Van Dykes abilities, and we are
pleased to learn that he is more than realiz-
ing the expectations of his friends. The
canvass has opened favOrably, and there are
so many good and solvent reasons why Mr..
Van Dyke should be elected, that we cannot
for moment doubt of his success. The
district is large one, has many and varied
interests, and oughtto berepresented by man
possessing more than ordinary ability, inhu-
ence, experience, industry, and tact. In
our candidate is combined all these essen
tal qualifications, and we have the best guar
antee that, if elected, he will labor assidu-
ously to promote and secure the interests of
his constituents. We intend no disparagc-
ment to his competitor, Mr.. Smith; but he is
comparatively young man, and it is no re-
Election upon his claims or merits to say that
he could not command that position and in
huence in the halls of Congress, that would
at once be obtained by one of maturer age,
ripper wisdom, and larger experience This
fact, of itself, pleads strongly for Mr.. Van
Dyke, and should secure his election, if there
We're no other arguments in his favor. The
present is n case when the ordinary motives
which control mans choice, may well be
lost sight of-when the main object should
be the securing Of the greatest amount of
ability and largest experience-the success
of that candidate whose past acts give assur
ance that, instead of devoting his time and
talents to the selfish schemes and intrigues of
the mere politician, he will, under proper APP
probation Of his obligations to the people
and actuated by a broad and liberal national
spirit, be found using his best energies to Sc
cure the public interests and promote the
general good. We do not mean by this that
our candidate is not party man, or that the
"era of good feeling" when there is to be
but one party, sometimes dreamed of by
fools and demagogucs, has commenced
God forbid that the time ever should come
when there will be but one party in ourgovcrn-
ment-when the majority in both branches
of Congress shall be so large that the En-
ecutive may command votes enough to APP
prove and sanction whatever measures am
btion or recklessness may dictate, and
when the minority shall find itself too small
to resist successfully the continual tendency
to encroachments upon the Constitution and
the rights it guarantees alike to all. Power
begets corruption and dissoluteness, and the
lights of history, coming to us through the
political storms, struggles, and revolutions
of the past, warn us, that whenever the "era
of good feeling" commences, when there
shall be but one party in the government, or
the dominant party shall be Overwhelmingly
large and the minority feeble and insignif-
cant, from that hour may we date the decline
and fall of the republic. The dominant par
ty in Congress is already large-sc beyond
precedent; and it is always right perhaps,
desirable, that there should be Il reliable,
working majority in that body entertaining
the same political views rs the Chief Execu-
tive of the Nation. 1t is also right and pro-
per, yea, the safety of our institutions re-
quires and wise regard for the public well
fare demands, the presence of respectable
minority-ever watchful, active and vigilant
willing to approve, sanction, and act with
the majority upon all measures of legiti-
mate and beneficial character but ever on
the alert, ready to resist to the last gasp the
encroachments of power upon the rights,
interests and liberties of the people.
Mr.. Van Dyke is n wing, it is true; but
of comprehensive and liberal spirit, and
above the reach of those narrow and selfish
J leeliuBS NIiiCi CoHtioi tic uctloIl VI toO Hlu-
ny of our public men. If elected we know
his course in Congress will not be influenced
by spirit of factious opposition to every
act of the President; but that he will always
be found as ready to sanction what is right
and good as to oppose and war against that
which he may conceive will result in injury
and harm. Could any wing expect more
does any democrat believe that he or his par
ty could suffer by the election of such man!
one who never has and never will devote
himself to the promotion of petty intrigues
and party schemes, but keeping in view the
responsibilities and obligations of his posi-
ton, will strive solely to serve the wants and
interests of the people of the district, which
he fully understands and appreciates.
Above we havO glanced at some of the
considerations which induce us to support
Mr.. Van Dyke and urge his election, and
which we think ought to have some weight
with the people of the District generally,
andinfuence them to vote for him. There arc
others equally strong, to which we shall re-
fer from time to time during the canvass.