The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-02-16

To TIE PEOPLE OF McMIYY.

gives the politicians quite raking down.
Not considering myself much politician. |
might pass his remarks in allusion to them
unnoticed But feeling myself rather pledy.
ed to notice the movements Of these friends
Of Prohibition, ! suppose 1t will not lie con.
sidered out of place to, make few remarks.
must in the first place. acknowledge my en-,
tire ignorance MS to who this Mr.. 7. F. is, and
without the slightest knowledge as 10 the cut
of his pants | shall set him down as 'tigh,
! fit" indeed, to speak so harsh about any set
Of men who choose to differ with him upou
any subject considered worthy of legislation.
! have been accustomed to believe that every
citizen in this boosted land Of freedom, under
a government that acknowledges all power
inherent in the people. and that recognizes
the freedom of thought, Of speech and of the
press, might think upon any subject for him.
self and differ from another without having
it thrown in his teeth tina: he lacked the NOR.
al nerve to advocate the truth; and nothing
to my mind is a stronger symptom that man
feels weak in the accomplishment of his dur.
pose. than tn hear him break out in abuse Of
those who choose TO differ with him in opip.
ion. 1t should certainly be the pride of eve.
~ American citizen that we enjoy the free.
dom Of thought and speech, that all subjects
presented to our consideration my he fully
canvassed that our conclusions NAV he cor.
rect and our action for the happiness of our
ow-citizens, and the good OF our country:
and the public should rt'ard the pretension.
OF no man of rcspeetabiliy with Indifference
but should rather elicit all the arguments
that could be had in calm and dispassion.
ate manner upon both sides of any question
that might be drought into the legislative
canvass reserying to themselves the Consti-
tutional right at the ballot box, 10 vote as
they may think conducive TO the prosperity
of their country. Possessing as do, mind
curious as 10 any thing new, | shall certainly
feel myself under obligation to my friend to
cite me to the place in the proverbs of Solo
mon, or any other writer in the Scriptures,
who mentions either whskey, or whiskey'
hobby, and until he does this, think may
reasonably expect him to quote no more
Scripture outside Of the chimney corner. lie
says, 'let all men know, particularly aspi-
rants for the Legislature, that we are respet:
table IN point Of character, numbers, and req
olution.' suppose he considers me of course
an asprant for the Legislature. am sure
no one ever heard me say any thing disre-
spect(ul of the friends OF Prohibition, either
as to character or any thing else, (among
them have many personal friends and some
old school mates who Will hate to vote against
mel but to the contrary !. consider them, so
far as my knowledge extends men of high
moral character, and against whom have not
the first unkind feeling, and this much GER
talny comes with q better grace from me
than from him, as Solomon SAYS ''let nm
other man praise thee and not thine own
mouths stranger and not thine own lips"
notice an account in the ATHENS Post" Of
the 18th July, of a Sta'e Temperance Con.
vention, held Mt blurfreesborouuh on the 4th
OF July. at which resolutions were adopted,
declaring it right for the Legislature to pas.
Proinibitcry Liquor Law. Among other
things they suggested, or recommended, that
the friends of this measure should meet this
Spring, CT earlier, at each county town in the
State and nominate candidates for both
branches of the Legislature, who would
pledge themselves. if elected, to vote for q
Prohibitory Law. They also pledged them
selves, as Wings and Democrats to support
| the rOhibitory candidates without reference
to their party politics. In pursuance of this
suggestion of the State Convention the
friends Of Prohibition in Athens met on the
2fth oil December last, and declared that tho
| interests OF the people of Tennessee demand
ell the enactment OF Prohibitory Law upon
the liquor traffic, a: declared to support
candidates for the Legislature who would
commit themselves and the 22d Of February
was appointed to make it distinct and tan:
gible issue. Nothing then said about adopt
ing platform and inviting the cooperation
OF candidates. thought, and was promised.
that candidates would be nominated. ! was
not uneasy fearing would have no opposi-
ton, bnt | did not wish to fight man in the
dRrk-Iwanted the question fairly test e1 as
they were determined 10 make it an issue
Am now to consider this n backing out =
And why now talk of adopting a platform l.
Why not take up the Maine Law ut oncef II
will not be denied that the statutory probi.
bition is the movement of the Sons Of Tenn
perance, and that law their first production.
1t was the production of their minds, free
and untramneled and certainly speaks their
full desires upon the subject. To speak Of
notifications now is only to concliate pub
lie favor and when it would gain sufficient
strength, this Maine Law would be riveted
upon us at the last. And to talk about q law
with proviso to leave it to the people
for their adoption is only an attempt to place
the people between us and responsibility
Would man after voting for the law in tho
Legislature, sworn to vote for no law that
would in his judgement be injurious TO his
constituents, come home and and vote against
1t. Why not come out then Mt once and take
stand either for or against it. before the peo-
plei Money is wasted in legislatng upon
it. | am opposed to this law, l consider it
unconstitutional and subversive Of the liber.
ties of free people. ] am honest in this
opinion aud speak it in due Difference to the
opinions Of others. Iplant my orchard, raise
my corn, dig my potatoes, eat my apples and
drink my wine and cider, when please, and
| acknowledge no accountability to any one
for what eat or drink but my Creator, and
| want my children to be free as am free,
] md ne ON r.
If liberty was worth a struggle TO obtain, Il
is worth 1t to maintain. l. r. ii.
SALE OF NEGRoEs.-The Courier, publish