The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-07-21
A MODEST MAN.

of the Columbus (Ga.) Times and Sentinel is
modest man. There is no doubt of it, The
fact is beyond peradventure. No one can
or will say nay to the proposition after read
ing the following. After commencing call
for Convention of the Wings of the South,
our Georgia contemporary, with exquisite can
dor, ingenuousness and diffidence, proceeds
to remark:
"If the object is to remain in the Union and
control the action of the Government, then
cooperation with the Democracy is the only
alternative. If we allow that the Southern
Wings can carry the whole South into a
separate sectional organization, of which
however there is no probability, they would
still be in minority and the Government
would be in northern hands. The South
must have allies ut the North, then, to enable
her to protect herself from the aggressons of
the abolitonists. We cannot do without
them if we would. But why should we turn
our back upon our friends? There are many
Northern Democrats who have stood by us
in every issue and struck blow for blow and
received wound '''w und with US in every
battle with theGa.4tionists. They have
richly won our confidence. Why should not
the whole South go into the next National
Democratic Convention? We have fought
and won side by side great victory on the
Nebraska bill, and with the same forces we
can win like victory on every field. IL is
true there are Freesoil Democrats who will,
in all probability, assert claim to seat in
the Convention. Let them come. We will
make the platform and if they accept it, we
certainly will not refuse their votes in carry
ing out our true policy. We write in all can
dor and earnestness, and cordially extend the
right hand of fellowship to the Southern
Wings. What say our Democratic cotempo-
raries! Is there not room enough in the old
wigwam for all true hearted Southern men?
"This is momentous issue now before the
Southern Wing party. BY joining the De-
mocracy in body, they can give the South
the control of the Government, preserve the
rights of the States and perpetuate the Union.
We have divided long enough. Our interests
and duties are the same. Let bygones be
bygones."
We have quoted the above in order to
prove that the high praise we have bestowed
was not unmerited. The modesty of the
Georgia "Crackers" is proverbia; but our
Columbus contemporary out Crackers the
Crackers, and stands prominently before "all
| the world and the rest of mankind" the mod
ell modest man of the Empire State Of the
South.
Were there not several objections we have
no doubt the Southern Wings would eagerly
accept the invitation proffered them, and rush
| forward and enrol themselves in the rank Of
the unterrified and subterranean. But the
objections we have limited at are very awk-
ward, and difficult to get over by men Of
principle, who are devoted to the interests,
honor and character, first of their section, and
then of their whole country.
First, among the objections is the one that
our worthy contemporary starts out with
false assumption. He asserts that "co-opera.
tion with the Democracy" by the Wings, is
the only way n which the South can be ena-
bled to 'control the action of the Govern
inent." Immediately after he argues that If
the Wings carried euery Southern State, ''the
Government would be in Northern hands''
II this latter portion of the proposition be
true, we cannot see any necessity OF the pro-
posed fusion of parties. If the South, in the
hands of the Wings, cannot 'control the Gov
ernment," we are unable to see how such
"control" can be obtained by the joint action
of the two parties. Here is II distinction with
out difference. 1t amounts, to use COM
mon phrase, to "six of one and half dozen
of the other"
But the South must have Northern "allies"
to "protect herself from the aggressions OF
the Ab0litonists," coOlly saith this Southern
supporter of the present Administration! How
refreshing. How candid, straight forward and
manly Our contemporary must be nearly re-
lated to the distinguished Democrat who said,
on memorable occasion, that he always
"carried his heart in his hand" A queer place
to carry the heart, but as the statement was
not contradcted we suppose it was true
| Here is an awkward question: Where VIII we
find those Northern Democratic "allies" that
are to "protect" us? They are not IN federal
offices, for President Pierce has filled them
with Freesoiers and AbolitiUnists. "iard
National Democrat stands no more chance at
the hands of the present Administration than
would a thorough paced Wing. Whenever
one is found, he is at once kicked out. We
| do not believe the South needs such "allies"
rs the Administration and its officials. Here
is another objection.
But, our Georgia contemporary, in the ex-
ceeding liberality Of his soul, after inviting
| the Southern Democracy, holds out encour-
agement to the Freesoilers. "Let them come"
into the camp as brethren, says he. We will
not "refuse their votes" or course not
| Whenever and wherever did Democrat re-
| fuse vote! II such an unparalleled moral
phenomena can be found, he would at once
make his fortune by calling on D"rnuin. lie
would "draw," on exhibition throughout the
United States, larger crowds than ever hung
entranced on the ravshing notes of the Swed-
ish Nightingale. Our Georgia neighbor show
ed good policy in not leaving the t'reesoilers
out of his invitation; for exclude them from
the Democratic party, and there will be no
such party North of Mason and Dixon's line.
They are vastly more important to the "Un-
versal Democracy" than Southern Wings are
ever likely to be
We might enumerate a great many more
objections, but we believe we will abstain for
the present. We think we shall not accept
the invitation so courteousy extended u.s.
We are willing to grasp the "right hand Of
Fellowship" lraiernally, but not democralically,
according to Southern modern usage. If we
did, we would not know when we retired at
night in whose company we would awake in
the morning. We might find ourselves among
| Freesoiers and Abotionists. We might be
surrounded by Sectonists and disunionists.
We might find Repudiators on the right and
| Dorrites on the left hand, with the disciples
of the .higher law" and contemners Of the
Constitution scattered thickly around! No,
we cannot accept that invitation just now
| We decline it most positively.