The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-06-08
LAST MONDAY.


Last Monday was day long to be rcmem-
bered by Me ci.izens Of this county--not
that there was any thing peeulinr or remark.
able in the day itself, for in fact, IN regard 70
the weather II was pretty much like other
days about this time Of year, but in respect
to some th,ngsit was unlike all the days we
ever witnessed. Being the first Monday of
the month--ths time for holding County
Court--there was, as usual on such occasions,
large number Of persons In town. con-
siderable proportion Of whom we're candi.
dates, or wanted TO be: Congressman, State
Senators, Joint Representatives, and Repre- |
sentatives. We counted thirteen on the
street at one time, eleven Of whom were de-
mocrats. To digress for a moment, we FIRE.
quently hear from dreamy editors that the
Union is in danger from foes without and
professed friends within, but so long ms the
democratic party Of this section numbers in
its ranks so many patriotic souls, all fears are
groundless. The earlier part of the day was
devoted to shaking Of hands, remarks about
the weather, enquiries after the health Of the
voters, their families, crops, &c. &c. About
noon the speaking commenced, and from
high twelve till dewy eve the rostrum was
occupied, and one continuous strenm Of light
and knowledge poured upon the people. II
would be folly in us to attempt report Of
the rirarious speeches, CHATS our word, man.
ufactured for the OCCASION i'm fact, CON-
plete report would occupy more space than
the whole inside of our paper affords, and to
give part would not only be unjust, but
would mar the harmony and beauty of the
whole days proceedings Therefore, we can
only glance at them and say, that those who
were present enjoyed treat, such as is rare
" offered, and those who were absent miss.
ed one. Just think Of it, distant reader
two wings and eleven democrats all speak.
ing in one day, and some of them twice at
that! The like will probably never occur
again in the history Of this county. Thank
God! the eountry's safe.
But to be serious, Hon. J. w. Blackwell
led of, and consumed most of his time in
talking about the Know Nothings, whom he
thinks are a terrible set of fellows, meeting
in dark and secret dens and places where the
light of the blessed sun of heaven never
Notwithstanding in secret, to plot against
the country, to put down Democracy, and re-
build and reinstate the old Federal Wing
party-for all which we are inclined to think
friend Blackwell is largely indebted to his
imagination. Because, as little interest as
We feel in the Know Nothing movement, its
defeats or successes, we cannot and will not
believe, for a moment, that any considerable
portion of native-born Americans would
band together for dishonorable purposes and
raise their parricdal hands to inflict injuries
upon, the land Of their birth. At the same
time, it is not difficult 10 realize that an as
ISOLATION like the Sag NIGHTS, composed prin.
cipaly Of foreigners, men alien to the soil
should meet in secret for the purpose of con.
cocting and maturing schemes to obtain pos
session of the government whose protection
they have sought. And we would stop here
to ask, why is it tina: all the anathemas OF
the democratic leaders are hurled ut the
heads of the Know Nothings, while they
have never a word of reproval for this olhe
secret political organization! Why this vim
dctiveness toward the one order, and sucf
profound silence in regard to the other? |.
it because modern democracy Inns heretofor,
drawn its strength and supremacy from til,
foreign portion of our population, that the,
condemn the one, and pass by the other!-
We disapprove of the secret feature of tn
Know Nothing order, of the veil Of myster
which seems to be thrown around it, and W,
are satisfied that it will never obtain even
temporary triumph at the South unless tina
secrecy is discarded; still when it comes TO
preference between secret organization
composed entirely of native-born American,
aiming at wise and patriotic purposes, and
secret order made up of foreigners and O
those who pander to their prejudices for sci
fish ends, there can be no hesitancy in de
elaring MS to with which our sympathie
must be.
To return, we have no doubt that MI
Blackwell honestly believes all he says abou
the Know Nothings; but that he does SO be
lieve is neither complimentary to his under
standing or experience. He is n gentleman
whom We personally esteem and respect, an
we cannot but regret that he should waste s.
much precious time in battling against an OF
der Of whose real objects, ends and aims h
seems to be profoundly ignorant-especml
when there are other matters which might b
nue., more proftably discussed.
After Mr.. Blackwell had concluded, Co
Anderson appeared and touched upon severn
topics in his usual happy and feIicitons STYLE
In regard to the Know Nothing question, W
understood Col. Anderson as discluiming be
longing to any order of that name, at Oh
same time he heartily endorses the PlatforI
promulgated by the American Party of Ter
nessee. That Platform, we will here remarl
has been published in almost every paper i
the State, and contains nothing which ing
nuity can torture into hostility to our instit,
tons or the best interests Of the countr
but on the contrary, breashes throughout Il
purest spirit of patriotism. But we mu
hasten on. When Col. Anderson conclude
Lieut.. Lillard made his bow and defined h
position. He, too, disclaims being Kno