The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-03-10

GEN. CAss ON THE NEBRAsKA.-The New
York Herald contends that the speech Of
Gen. Cass upon the Nebraska question be-
trays n lively apprehension concerning the
probable results Of this agitation upon Presi-
dental aspirants and the political parties of
the day. lie would rather that silent ac-
auiescence in the Missouri compromise had
been recognized in the bill Of Judge Doug
las-hc would have preferred plain sailing
before pleasant brcczes to the dangers Of
what is called in the Mexican Gulf"a Northern
with rugged shore and noisy breakers upon
every side. But as the administration are in
for it, as the Senate is in for it, and as the
country is in for it, he Inns even resolved "tO
face the music" and sink or swim, to risk his
chances upon the platform Of the fundamen-
tai law of the land.
The Herald further says of this re.opening
of the slavery question:
Pass the bill or defeat it, the agitation will
continue until the anti-slavcry people of the
North shall have fully tested their strength
against it. This warfare, rs n natural conse-
quence, must break down the administration,
break up the few remaining landmarks be-
tween the old political parties; and lead TO q
general reconstruction of parties for 1856 up
on the lines of division known rs Mason and
DiXon's line, and the Missouri line. The next
Presidential contest may be between the
North and the South in the open field; and
the result no man can foretcl. But, in the
face of all dangers to parties and politicians
we adhere to the platform of the constitution.
Upon this platform peace may eventually be
restored; but the longer the day of this con-
stitutional issue is deferred, the greater will
be the pcrls of final adjustment. While
we are in for it, though the administration
may 90 down, though cabinets may be broken
up Presidential asprants thrown high and
dry. and the old decaycd parties of the day
scattered to the winds, let us 60 through
with the work. Let the bill be passed.
cB" The New York paper, some of them
at least, arc suggesting that in the event of
congress ofnations in Europe, it is right and
proper the United States should be represent
ed there. One Of them says it SO happens, that
with one single exception our present minis
tiers in Europe are the last persons in the
world from whom we can expect any rclia-
bic information, or any judicious watchful-
ness. One is fighting ducls, another playing
cards, third writing revolutionary letters,
) ever so many more squabbing about their
- - la, al, 10 ho
alive to the fact that the plot now tomcnt.
. ing in the minds Of the Western allies is aim
, cd as directly at the United States MS at Rus
sia. A parcel of school boys would have
equal claims to respect and confidence. There
they are, however, such rs God has made
them: and the only resource left us is to take
their incapacitv for granted, and see that
some one on whom we can rely represents
, our interests at the momcntous crisis whicl
) is approaching. Neither the Emperor Of
France nor the ministers of Great Britain I'M
dcrstand our position and views on the sub
jcct of foreign intervention here. If our del
cgate to the congress of nations discharged
no other duty than correcting the prevailing
ignorance in Europe, and placing the United
States squarely on the platform which it il
:. our duty and intcntiun to occupy, his tim
would not be lost, and dangers looming il
}. the distance might possibly be avcrtcd
J. Posr OrrlcE RoBBEHlEs.--Tho August
q Consttutionalist ofyesterday, says:
a ~.