The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-10-07
TOWN AND COUNTRY.


Almost every one is apprised Of the fact
that there is little, contemplate feeling Of
prejudice existing between the people of the
towns and country in every county in East
Tennsssee-the more to be regretted be.
cause there is really no cause for it. On the
contrary, there is mutually of dependence
and interests which should lead all to work
together for the general good. The towns
are dependent upon the surrounding country
the people of the country are equally de-.
pendent upon the towns. If there were no
towns, no congregated communities dwelling
together and laboring in diversified employ.
ments, what sort of country would We have
The man who lives fifteen miles from the
Courthouse has as much interest, and ought
to feel as much pride, in the prosperity of
his county town as the man who owns the
best building on the public square-because,
as writer remarks, if the towns grow, the
country grows. Show us an old looking,
rickety, painless, dilapidated town, and we
will show You country of shittlcss and
thriftless farmers near it. Then why should
the country be against the towns, or the
towns against the country? "Did you ever
see the two blades of pair Of scissors wor.
rying and bullying and fighting each other!
1t is not the head saying to the foot, Il have
no need of thee nor the vessel of honor
turning with disdain from the vessel of dis
honor. There is no such inequality of posi-.
ton. If one presents to the eye piles of
brick and stone, with markets and merchan-
disc, the other spreads out fields Of green,
and quiet and peaceful homes; and the land
waves its golden harvcsts in graceful obe-
sance to the traveller from the city, rs if it
would bid him welcome to the spot where
the sustenancc of the world is grown, and to
the families to whom he owes much of his
own prosperity.
No, they nre not head and tail, nor lord
nor peasant; they are rather the two arms of
the lever BY which the world is moved. They
are the two noble steeds, unlike in regard to
color, form, &c., which lift out of the fog
and darkness the chariot of day, while nci-
ther. alone, would give motion to its ponder
GUS wheels. Without the towns there are no
markets-without the country there can be
no towns. The latter do not grow at hap
hazard. They will not extend their busy
streets at the command Of fancy or caprice.
Nor on the other hand, can the country flour.
ish without towns. Where are our rich far
mcrs! Invariably where they have access to
good markets.
In the oldcn times and even in many cities
now scattered over the Eastern Hemisphere,
the nocks and herds which, during the day,
are led ont into the broad fields of the rural
districts, at night arc collected around or
within the walls of the city for protection.-
This is an apt illustration Of the relative pc.
si,ion of the country and the town. When
these shepherds and hcrdsmen are ready to
conspire together to destroy that which pro-
tects them and their hocks-to kindle
blaze under the walls and roofs which afford
them comfort and shelter, then may jeal-
ousies spring up and be famed into bitter
quarrels and angry fghtings, and all contend
manfully for the common destruction Of all
classes"