The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1853-03-04


THE MONTENEGRO REBELLION. Not far to
the east of the Adriatic and contiguous to
DaImatia, lies a region scarcely one hundred
miles in circumference, which incIOses high
mountains that are black with the pines and
rocks covering their sides. II is the Mon
tenegro country. The inhabitants have held
themselves somewhat separate from their
for many years. They have been
under nominal subsection to the Turks, but
never were esteemed loyal people, their
religion was that Of the Greek Church; their
habits predatory, and anything but agreeable
to their neighbors. To whatever government
their allegiance has been claimed as due, for
themselves they always claim political indie.
pendenec. In the Businesses Of inaccessible
mountains, they are safe from all invasion.
In battle fighting much after the fashion of
the American Indians, with great caution and
marvellous vaIor, they scatter themselves
about the path Of an invading army, harass
them with continual ambushes, and seldom
come out of an engagement without having
dealt more misc hief than they have received.
The Montenegro, at home or abroad, is
always armed. He is exceeding hardy from
his birth, knowing 10 WEAKNESS SO long as
there is an object to be attained-n mouH-
taineer in fact, with all mountaineer's pecu
liarities. If the enemy come tos strong upon
him, he burns his habitaton and retreats for
the mountains. He cuts off the head of his
captive, and holds one of his people who is
captured to be dead man.
He is ardent in his patriotism; throwing
aside all private animosities, he fights by the
side of one whom he has undisguisely hated,
like brother till his country is safe. What
he takes in war is his and even if war has
never been declared, it hardly yitiates his
claim In these matters he seems more like
a barbarian than christian. Yet to leave the
matter thus, would be giving very unjust
idea of the Montenegrin character. He talks
latterly of schools, and popular education,
and in many respects shows himself a man
of the nineteenth century.
THE CUBAys.-The editor of the New
York Mirror, who is at present on the Island
of Cuba, in a recent letter says:
"Thus far, from what have seen in the
island, the conclusion is forced upon me that
the Spanish portion of the people of Cuba
are happier and more contcntcd than the
citizens of the United States. And it may be
added, regarding the condition Of the former,
if ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be other
wise. 1t is also true that if the people OF the
United States were placed in this paradise Of
Cuba, and compelled to be under Spanish
laws, they would be the most unhappy people
on the earth. Liberty or death, would not
only be their watchwOrd, but their necessity.
"The great mistake of Americans who
preach commiseration of the Cubans is, that
they place themselves in the condition OF a
race of people with whom they have but
little in common. The Habancrus are az un-
like the New Workers, for instance, rs the
climates of the two cities. What care these
luxurious children of the sun for what we call
hbertH' so long as Nature embroidcrs their
path with flowers, and the golden orange and
fat banana beam in the sunshine; and the dia-
mond sparkles upon the beauteous bosoms of
the plump senortes, and the fragrant smoke
of the cigarilla gracefully curls from their
ruby lips. In all they do and say they seem
to be Involuntary swelling the chaunt Of the
beautifed Bayadere:
"Happy am |, from all care I'm free -,
o, why are not all contented like me!"
"The softness of their climate, while it re-
lakes energy, alays also the fretful fever of
ambition; and an indolent, sensuous, satisfied
life, unknown in the North, is the heaven on
earth of the Spanish Cuban. For one, | am
not disposed to disturb their harmless dream
by breaking their shutters to let in a colder,
even if clearer daylight. Poco a POGO is
their creed-little by little. God is not in a
hurry"