The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-10-27
.AFAYETTEs WARNING TO AMERICA.

laIes 10 our welfare. W ashlngtOn loved MN
as brother. When he returned to his native
land to foster there the principles of liberty
he watched our fortunes with the deepest
interest and anxiety: and when, after the alb
scence of many years, he again visited our
shores, it was with thrilling emotions Of ioy
that he witnessed the magnificent growth of
the republic. The counsel and warning of
such man ought TO be well pondered by
American citizens. AMERICAN LIBERTY CAN BE
DESTROYED ONLY BY THE PoPIsH CLERGY" Such
was his warning. "Like veteran Mariner"
says Prof. Morse, the famous inventor of the
| telegraph, Lafayette was ever watching the
| political horizon for the indications of danger
to his beloved America, and the danger to
which his latest warning pointed was this
very covert political attack, which is in full
operation upon our soil at this moment; an
attack the more dangerous because it shields
itself under the mask of religion and cries
! out persecution at every attempt to expose its
true, its political character" And he adds in
a note This declaration of Lafayette was
repeated by him to more than one American.
The very last interview which / had with
Lafayette on the morning of my departure
from Paris, (this was written in 1885, full of
usual concern for America, he made use Of the
same warning; and in letter which l receiv-
ed from him but few days after at Havre,
he alludes to the whole subject, with the
hope expressed that would make known the
real state of things in Europe to my country
men; and the same time charging it upon me,
as a sacred duty as an American, to aequaint
them with the fears which were entertained by
the friends of republican liberty, in regard to
our country If have labored with any sue
cess to arouse the attention of my countrymen
to the dangers foreseen by Lafayette, l owe
it in great degree to having acted in con-
formity to his often repeated injunctions.
Surely such statements, from such a source,
cannot be passed lightly by. Lafayette knew
whereof he affirmed. He spent his days
among Roman Catholics, he understood the
principles of their religion, the character, the
intrgues, of their priests, their sympathy
with European despotism, and as our friend,
having deeply at heart our good he lifted up
repeatedly his voice of warning against the
Popish clergy. And, with all his enthusiasm,
he was a man of moderation, who never spoke
rashly His words of admontion were meas
ured words.
The lapse of twenty years has not lessened
their force of Importance. What Lafayette
foresaw has become in part history. Let us
watch lest it be all fulfilled.
DRUNKENNESS IN CoNGREss.-Ho Gerrt
Smith, in a recent letter to his constituents,
says
AS the friend of temperance, both my lips
and example shall ever testify against any
night of Congress, that is not called
for by the clearest necessity. What if the
majority had appointed the taking of the
vote on the Nebraska bill in dram shop
Would you have me present. trust not
But are you yet to learn that the scenes of a
night session of Congress do not always differ
in all respects from the scenes of a dram shopi
| was present part Of the nght-session in
which the final vote on the Nebraska bill was
taken; and was well convinced that Con-
gress should avoid all unnecessary night
sessions, until Congress loves temperance
more and rum less. Never did witness more
gross drunkenness than witnessed on that
occasion. ] had to remain until IL o'clock
for had to remain until could record my
vote against the pro-savery bill. After that
hurried away, full of shame and sorrow.
1t so happened that Lord Egin, the Cover
nor of Canada, sat by my side, for an hour or
more, during that evening of sad recollcc
TONS The drunkenness was perceived by
him as well ms by myself might rather say,
it glared upon his observation, as well as my
own. 1t was certainly very polite and kind
in him to tell me, as he did. in the course of
our conversation respecting this disgraceful
scene, that he had witnessed shameful disor-
der in the British Parliament Nevertheless,
his politeness and kindness did not relieve
me of my deep modification.
"NoBoDY READS I'VE
often hear this remark made BY business men
who are presumed to possess full share of
sagacity "Nobody reads advertisements"
Don't they? Let us see. An cd advertising
customer recently sent an advertisement to an
eastern paper, which amounted TO so large
sum, and so much in advance of the old rates,
upon which an advance had been lately made,
that the publishers felt it due to him to Civ
ing that information before involving him in
the extra expense. The first return mail
brought his reply, which is printed for the
ediiication of that class who think "Nobody
reads advertisements" lie says
81 am perfectly aware of your advanced
rates. What of it Don't YOU give me an
equivalent! You expect that on learning the
expense Of the advertisement may counter
mand the order. Thank you. 1t was GER
tainly very honest in you TO give me the op.
portunity, but shall not do it--no, not If
had 10 corer cuery type 'oah a gold dollar, for
then should be the gamer.
EXEMPLARY GENERosITY.-It will be re-
membercd that during the prevalence of the
fever at Savannah, the Mayor of that city or.
dered 500 oaves of bread per day from Macon.
The Savannah Republican says that the peo-
pie of Macon obstinately refused to receive
payment for the Dread thus furnished, and
adds: ave trust that the public opinion of
the world will pass such judgment upon their
conduct as it merits. We can only say that
Savannah i0iH remember them for IT,"