The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-03-16

Ma. EDTroR-I consider myself a temper
rate man and friend Of Temperance. but |
am not in favor Of any law which. by high
fines and Imprisonment, prohibits the use Of
any thing that man has enjoyed during his
almost entire pilgrimage on earth, and which
has been considered beneficial both BY God
and man. desire no debate upon the sub
Ject either, until Prohibitory candidate is
nominated, or fairly out merely thought,
as my friend, L. f., seemed to exercise such
guardianship over the morals of the country,
that he might wish to discuss the merits of
the law; aud as supposed from some of his
quotations, that he considered himself man
Of Scripture knowledge. (knowing that tenn
perance wasa fruit Of the spirit of christiani
ty) | thought nothing could be lost to the
country by friendly discussion Of its merits.
But seeing that he is determined to dodge
the main question aud seems to satisfy him
self by propounding few interrogatories,
wide as the poles Of the issue, | suppose |
will stand fair in the ewes Of all intelligent
men to play the thing off in the same way.
| therefore propound few questions to him:
First, Does Temperance relate to our passions
as well as our appetitesi Second, fit relates
merely to our appetites does it relate TO eat
ing as well as drinkingi Third, If it relates
only to drink, does IL merely embrace spirit
uous and malt liquors; or does it also EN-.
brace wine aud eideri And fourth. if Prohi
bition is your watehword, is not Abstinence
its explanation instead of temperance Now
when these questions are satisfactorily an
sweredo both sides, with few others of
tighter fit. which might PROFOUND before
we would ascend the rostrum of debate, my
friend and myself it would seem were ready
f,,.. l,hi nd nj hay IN
rs to time and place. Ny friend tries to fix
my mind upon the 22d inst. as suitable time
the day upon which we learn from Trough
and Ready" the Athens Division have set to
ratify the proceedings of the Nashville Con
venton and nominate candidates, &c. AS the
Nashville Convention has left them much to
do, | should much dislike to encroach upon
their time, aud suggest to my friend if some
other day would not do as well. | should
like to see by what rule they would proceed
to ratify the proceedings Of that Convention.
If the, can do that, man can. be taken as
well where he amt as where he is A more
complete failure has seldom been heard off,
| have heard of things compared to a noun
tain that labored and brought forth q mouse;
but the efforts Of the Nashville Convention
will bear no such comparison. From the tow
ering strength of that Convention and the
greatness oflhe day upon which it assembled,
we certainly had right to expect it to bring
forth something. Well may my friend begin
to talk about the quart law That is coming
down fast; and the next thing | expect to
hear Of is something by the gill or thumb.
Mr.. Editor, after my thanks for the accom-
mediation your paper has afforded me, will,
at your suggestion, stop writing for the pres
ent, and hope may find no occpsion to take
it up again did intend to publish piece
upon Temperance, but as my views will most
likely become public before long, decline it
Your oft serv't,
-- L. r. HURST.