The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-06-29
HON SAIL A. SMITH-PROFESSlONS
AGAINST PRACTICE.

It will be remembered BY those who were
favored with an opportunity of hearing the
discussions between the candidates for Con-
gress in this district two years ago, that it was
mutually conceded by both, COL Samuel 4.
Smith and Mr.. Van Dyke, that the old party
issues were done away and party distinctions
fast dying out, and that new and vital inter-
ests had sprung up amongst us, arising out
Of our system ofinternal Improvements, upon
which all were united and which it was the
interest as well as duty of all to foster and
encourage. Those who attended the discus.
sions then, after these mutual announcements,
were RECALLED with but one all-absorbing
theme-the Rabun Gap Railroad. The man
who could be of most service to this new
and great enterprise, was conceded on all
hands to be the man for the occasion, and
upon this issue the congressional contest was
waged, through this end of the district at
least, in exclusion of all others. The aid
each candidate proposed to bring to this en-.
terprise was an appropriation of large
amount of the public lands for the building
of the road-Mr. Smith proposing to obtain
for thatpurpose from the government, mil.
lion and quarter of acres certain, and as
much more as he could; and Mr.. Van Dyke
thinking be could get, by more liberal poll.
cy than his opponent proposed to pursue,
about two millions for the same Object
while all the candidates for the Legislature
were to render important services for the
same enterprise in procuring liberal charter,
State aid, &c. The friends of Mr.. Van Dyke
claimed for him greater probability OF sue.
cess from his more mature age, superior
ability, and the more liberal policy he was
proposing to advocate; while Mr.. Smith
claimed for himself an almost absolute GER
tainty of success for his proposition, at least
to The extent of million and quarter of
acres, on account of his intimate relations
with Mr.. Pierce, who had just been elected
President and upon whose electoral ticket he
had then lately served-from the fact that so
far as politics eristed he was of the same po.
itica faith with the President and majority
of both branches of Congress; but more es-
pecially from the imposing fact that he had
the ,chole, or portion Of the South Carolina
delegation pledged in advance to the support
of his project Aud when right shrewdly
reminded by Mr.. Van Dyke that the Presi-
dent, as well as himself, had belonged to n
party that had always opposed appropriations
for internal improvements by the general
government, all will remember with what a
defiant air and manner he proclaimed that he
held his o,on opinions; that he did not be-
lieve the President or Congress would OPP
pose his proposition; but if they did he
would Sight for it TO the last, Independent of
any man or any party. Well, the election
came of-the people seemed to think Col.
Smith had the best of it, and he was elected
upon his issue by majority of about fifteen
hundred votes over the ordinary party strength
of the district Then came on, first, the
meeting of the State Legislature. The sue
cessful aspirants for seats in that body went
to work, the proposed charter for this impor-
tant road was obtained, and the aid Of the
State to the extent of ten thousand dollars
per mile for the purpose of ironing and
equipPing the road; and, also, one hundred
thousand dollars for buildinga bridge across
the Tennessee river was obtained. Next
came on the meeting Of Congress. But where
stood Col. Smith upon the issue Of his can.
vass-where his herculean effort in behalf of
his million and a quarter 0facres of the pub
lie land-where the sympathy of the Presi.
dent and the cooperation of Congress in his
fayorite measure, to which he was to devote
himself with such irresistible zeal and ener.
gy-and where was the imposing aid of the
South Carolina delegation! Upon his first
arrival in Congress Col. Smith was met full
IN the face with the message of his Presi.
dent, Mr.. Pierce, denouncing in measured
terms all appropriations for internal improve.
ments by the general government as uncon.
stitutional, and with that message of the
President Col. Smiths favorite scheme in aid
Of the Rabun Gap Railroad, South Carolina
delegation and all, seems to have vanished
into thin air. And from that day to this, so
far as we are advised, Col. Smith has never
deigned to recur to the subject; nor have his
constituents ever been advised of his abors
in behalf of that enterprise. 1t is an en-.
terprise in which the people of this part of
the district have deep and abiding interest,
and in which they have but recently been
putting forth their vigorous and united exer.
tions-it was an enterprise worthy Of an Of.
| fort on the part OF our representative in Con.
gross, even Il he had not been bound by the
most sacred pledges, voluntarily taken for
the purpose Of aiding him in the canvass
Did he make il! If not, was he in earnest in
his pledges to do so, made to the people
while seeking their votes! If in earnest then,
what "change came DER the spirit of his
Dream" and ought such a representative
again to be trusted! We have seen from his
public speech, which was, we believe, his
maiden effort in Congress, that he had lei.
sure and inclination to advocate and vote for
bill giving away, perhaps, millions of acres
of the public domain to foreigners and dedi.
eating the same to squatter sovereignty in