The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-01-20
ANTONIO !.

The public press OF the country nave Tor
some time past, been alledging that Santa
Anna, President of Mexico, was preparing the
way for having himself made Emperor; and
il is now stated that his plans are all matur-
ed, and that in a short period, he will become
invested with the imperial purple. The New
York Tribune has IN article upon the sub.
iect, part of which we copy below
We have already laid before the public the
manifesto addressed by Gen. Santa Anna TO
the Mexicans on occasion OF transforming
himself from simple President into Most
Serene Hghness with dictatorial powers for
life. As usual with the efiusons of modern
Aztec genius, it was highfown document,
full oi' patriotism and breathing the spirit OF
self-sacrifce for the national good and glory.
We are now told that the General has got
ready to take yet another step in the path OF
mower, having submitted to the people the
question of his becoming hereditary Empe-
ror, with the title of Antonio !. This is but
rumor, which comes by way of Baltimore,
and may very possibly be premature, though
there can be no doubt that the event it indl-
Gates, if it has not yet occurred, will soon be
recorded in history. The people of Mexico
are ready; His Serene Highness is ready; the
| Halls of the Montezumas are ready; and there
is no valid reason why the spendOrs OF an
imperial court should not speedily be restor-
| ed to the ancient capital of the Aztecs.
Santa Anna cannot be pronounced origin
al in his march toward imperialism. He has
| had before him two freshly illustrous exam
pies. Faustin |. rose from General to be
| the President of 'Hayti, and thence to the
throne and the purple, his path was short
though bloody. Napoleon ILL., was first
Deputy in the French Constituent Assembly,
next President of that Republic, swearing
fealty to its constitution, and next perjurer
and murderer he strobe into the TuiIeres
with his country's freedom contiscated and
her name blackened with disgrace. No such
stain rests on the recent conduct of Antonio
! |. He is happier, if not better man than
either of his prototypes, and will cut clean
er figure in history. lie breaks no solemn
oaihs and fills no graves with assassinated pa
triots by becoming the absolute monarch OF
Mexico. We do not hear of reyolts and fus-
blades as the accessories to his aggrandize
ment; there is suppression of all freedom
of course and Punishment for certain reirac-
tory individuals but no such dreadful massa-
cres as marked the elevation Of Faustin and
| Napoleon.
Having thus risen to power with the assent
and on the invitation of the controlling in
terests of the natlon,-for the mass Of the
people have had nothing to do with tive
can only hope that the sway Of the new En-
peror may differ from his earlier career in be-
ing useful to the country. 1t is many years
since Santa Anna began to figure in public
life, and it is impossible through the whole
to recall single act of his having a more
elevated policy or larger scope than the
common run Of intrigues cabas and militia
nv plots which render Mexican historyso bar
rem and drcary. He has done nothing but
degrade and weaken the country hitherto
| We shall rejoice if he does more hereafter.
| Certain it is that he can now carry out any
measure he may desire. There are no OBJ
stacles in his way lie is both Legislature
and Executive. His power is absolute and
his responsibility at the bar of history and
humanity is propOrtionate.
The PRosPECT OF THE BLUE RIDGE r. R.
The prospect for the speedy completion of
this long talked of road is growing brighter
with the lapse of time. Though the Legis-
ature refused to grant the company the as
sistance prayed for, yet the energy and actl-
yity ofthose employed upon it continues I'M
| abated and the work is rapidly progressing.
| On Friday evening last n company of Ger.
mans numbering One Hundred and Nine
reached this place en- route for the tunnel,
where they are to be put Immediately to
work. We understand that arrangements
have been made with Mr.. IIocOmbe for the
accommodation of Two Hundred more, who
are to reach this point on Thursday afternoon
next, and that similar crowds will be brought
up until about One Thousand can be obtain
ed. 1t would seem that the Dutch are not
satisfied with having taken Holland but are
disposed to extend their conquests even to
the mountains of our State. Though this
speaks volumes for the determination of the
company to complete the road, we doubt Sc
riously whether the introduction of this
horde of foreigners into our country will be
of advantage to it.
Many of them VIC learn are citizens of the
first class, while by far the greater number
will be of no earthly use either to church or
state. From our limited knowledge Of the
character and customs of the Germans we
feel well satisfied that such as are good work.
men will find that their services will com.
mand better wages in a city than the compa-
nv can afford to pay, and they will forthwith
leave this section entirely, while the residue
finding themselves about as well off here MS
at home will settle among us very much TO
the detrment of the country. Some benefit
however must accrue to the District of Pick
ems from the enhanced value of grain of eve.
ry description. We predict that fiom the
increased demand for provisions, that before
another crop comes in, corn will be worth
from one dollar to one dollar and quarter
per bushel. Now is the time for our Pick.
ems friends to begin to reap the harvest which
awaits them. Prosperity is already begin
ming to dawn upon the District and ere ma
nv years roll by, Pickcns which has ever beer
regarded rs almost inaccessible, will become
one of the most floursihg and prosperous
districts in the State.-And. Gdz., llh inst
eB- Governor Biglcr, of Pennsylvania, is
sued proclamation on the 9th instant, au
thorizing the Military, if necessary, to aid il
preventingany further destruction Of che pro
perty of the franklin Canal Co., at Erie. Al
was quiet, however, at Erie at latest adyiccs
the arrest Of the two Kilpatricks, DR.. Sher
wine and John X. Jack, having had benefi
cial effect.
~ The man who once wrote letter t.
the Knickerbocker Magazine, in which TIN
bray of mule was described as "an asthm
carried on by powerful machinery" gives hi
experience of violating the Maine Law at din