The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-06-29


which all were united and which II 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 m,n
who could be Of most service this new
and great enterprise, was conceded on all
banda to be the man for the occasion, and
upon this issue Tie 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 nm appropriation of large
amount Of the public lands for the building
of the road-AIr. Smith proposing to obtain
for that purpose from the government, a mil.
lion and quarter of acres certain, and as
much more as he could; and Mr.. Van Dyke
thinking he could get, by n more liberal poll.
cy than his opponent proposed to pursue,
about two millions for the same obje"t-
while all the eYdidates 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-
ltical faith with the President and majority
Of both branches of Congress; but more es.
pecially from the imposing fact that he had
tho mhole, or portion Of the South Carolina
delegation pledged in advance to the support
of his project. And when right shrewdy
reminded by Mr.. Van Dyke that the Pres.
dent, as well as himself, Ind 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 own opinions; that he did not be-
leve 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 off-lhe people seemed to think Col.
I b.l H.. - 70 L.. Il I
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 nspirnnts for seats in that body went
to work, the proposed charter for this impor-
tant road was obtained, md 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 building a 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 herculcan effort in behalf of
his million and quarter of acres of the pub.
lie land-where the sympathy Of the Presi.
dent and the cooperation Of Congress in his
favorite measure, to which lie 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 Carolin,
delegation and all, seems to have vanished
+ into thin air. And from that day to this, 81
far as we are advised, Col. Smith has neve
deigned to recur to the subject; nor have hi
constituents ever been advised of his labor
/ in behalf of that enterprise. 1t is an en-
terprise in which the people of this part o
the district have deep and abiding interSs,
, and in which they have but recently bee
putting forth their vigorous and united exel
| tions-it was an enterprise worthy of an e
: gress, even i! he had not been bound by tn
t most sacred pledges, voluntarily taken fo
, the purpose of aiding him in the canvass
Did he make it! If not, was he in earnest i
+ his pledges to do so, made to the peopl
while seeking their votes! If in earnest ther