The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-12-01
OF NOT MUCH IMPORTANCE.

VI our uTeah IN REGARD 10 the NEBRASKA
question; and intimates that we endorsed
Senator Jones' course favOring the bill and
disapproved of Senator Bells opposition to
it. Of course, 1t is not at all important to the
country what our position may have been, or
whether we have changed it; but we must be
allowed to inform the "Banner" that it is
mistaken in both respects. Without turning
to our files, We think all we ever said in re-
lation TO the position of the two distinguish
ed gentlemen on the question amounted TO
this, and no more: that Gov Jones had made
an able speech in favor OF the Bill, and that
his colleague, Senator Bell, had taken the
anti-Southern ground. Certainly, the "Ban-
ner" has too much candor and sincerity TO
affect to see in this an endorsement of the
course of the one and reputation of that of
the other. But admitting, for arguments
sake, that zee did endorse Gov. Jones' course
TO the largest and fullest extent, and con-
demned that of his able and far-seeing COL
league in severe and measured terms, and
Developments and facts since should have de-
monstrated that the former was wrong and
the latter right-what thenl Why we could
not hesitate single moment as TO the course
We ought to pursue. We trust we shall nl-
ways have honesty enopgh to acknowledge
an error when convinced of it, and Justice
sufficient to dictate reparation where wrong
has been inflicted through erroneous impress.
sions or misformed views. If the Banner"
will permit us, in politics, as in other things,
he only is consistent and merits public conf
dence who has the manliness and moral nerve
to abandon the wrong when convinced of his
error, and to pursue the right though it lead
in contrary direction, and may bring him in
conflict with those with whom he formerly
acted
AS to the Banners question-"th Nebras-
ka measure having killed off Mr.. Douglass,
will it not serve Senator Jones, who gave it
his support, the same wayp-we can only say:
if the latter had been the originator of the
measure, and had sprung it upon the country
as a hobby to ride into the Presidency, de-
signing to deceive both sections, represent
ing it as Southern measure IN the Slave
States and rs favorable to "Freedom," rs it
is called, in the Free States, as Mr.. Douglas
did, and had been detected in the duplicity
as the "Little Giant has been, it is more
than probable he would have went down
under the storm of indignation which such a
course would have raised against him, and
which has Frustrated Douglass and cut off all
his chances of ever attaining the summit of
his ambition. But unfortunately for the con-
clusion at which the "Banner" seems anxious
to arrive, the two gentlemen stand in quite n
different relation to the measure-the one is
its author and responsible for its results, ul-
terror as well as immediate-the other SIM
ply gave it his support because, we presume,
of principle involved for which ultra south
em men have always commended, but which
is perhaps powerless for any practical good
to the South at this time. Under the cir.
cumstances we suspect Jones will survive
his speech and vote on that measure But
poor Douglass, who intended to play into
the hands of both the North and the South,
but has been detected and exposed in both
sections, he is lost beyond the reach of hope,
and he can now exclaim in the language of
another, whose vaulting ambition overleaped
itself and noored him
farewell, a long farewell to all my greatness!
This Is the state of man; To-day he puts forth
The tender leaves Of hope, tomorrow blossoms,
And bears his blushing bonors thick upon him;
The third day comes a frost, killing frost;
And when he thinks, good easy man, full surely
His greatness is rpenng, his root,
And then he falls, as do. have ventura
Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders,
This many a of glory;
But far beyond my depth; my hgh-blown pride
At length broke under me; and now has left me-
Weary, and old with service, to the mercy
or rude stream, that must forever hide me.
Vain pomp and glory Of this world hate YET"
1t is of no use however to contend with the
Banner" He persists in looking at things
political as they existed some years ago, and
until the cloud passes from his mind will ne.
yer believe that any thing good can come out
Of Nazareth, or that Democrats like Douglass
can do any wrong.