The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-05-11
THE CONGRESSIONAL CANVASS.

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The candidates for Congress 10 thisDistrict
Hon. J. NJ. Anderson, Hon. J.W. Blackwell,
and Lieut.. VIM. C. LlIard--alI appeared bs-
fore the people Of Bradley county on Mon
day last-not TO make regular speeches, for
there was no time for that but merely to let
the people know they were candidates, that
they would like very much to be elected, and
would address them at length on some fu.
ture occasion. Col Anderson and Mr.. Black.
well consumed twenty Eve minutes each, and
Lieut. Lillafd had barely time to announce
himself, when he had to give way for the
meeting Of the Court Col. Anderson occu.
pied the most of his time in speaking of the
Bounty Land Bill of the last session, and ex-
pressed his regret that all who were called
out (iDcluding some fourteen companies) in
1896, were not included in the provisions of
the bill. He thinks that the men who re.
sponded to the call of their country, march.
ed to the place of rendezvous, remained ten
or twelve days and were furloughed home
and ordered 10 hold themselves in readiness,
have claims as strong as those who served
fourteen days. To this belief we agree with
him. He also alluded to the fact that there
were good many old soldiers in the country
in want and destitution, and believes that it is
the duty of the government, rich as it is in
money and lands, to provide literally for
| these men, who have so strong q claim upon
the gratitude of their country. He also al
luded. incidentally, to the policy which has
prevailed for the last few years Of giving
away millions of acres Of the public lands to
the new States for works of internal i'm
provement, while the old States were denied
any part or parcel in this the common pro-
perty of all the States. He reiterated the
opinion that the latter should be equal par
Elephants in the benefits arising from the dis
posal of the public domain--an opinion
founded in equity and Justice. Col. Ander-
sons twenty-five minutes being up, he con-
cluded by thanking the people Of Bradley
county for the very hattering vote be received
at their hands when before them on former
occasions for the same high Office.
Our townsman, Mr.. Blackwell, then appear
ed upon the stand. tits years since we heard
him in debate-great changes have occurred
in politics and in the condition and exigences
of the country-mucb of the prominent poll.
cy Of the democratic party has been lost sight
Of or merged into q mere scramble for
power, and that once impregnable column
is scattered and broken--still our friend Mr..
Blackwell soon convinced us that the old
leapen was there. He said that he was in ia
vor Of distributing the lands as proposed by
Andy Johnson's Bill, but against the dis.
tribution Of the proceeds. We thought we
also heard him mention limited States
Bank" and indulge the apprehension that If
the wings ever got into power again the first
thing they would undertake would be the
establishment of such an institution. He
soon, however, went back to federalism, the
days of the elder Adams, and the alien and
sedtion laws. We believe it is utterly i'm.
possible for Tennessee democrat to talk
fifteen minutes on any subject connected
with politics, without recurring to Federal.
ism. We have no time to follow our friend
in his remarks Of Monday; but he seems to
be laboring under the double delusion CON-
mon to a good many intelligent men, that
the party who sustain the present administra-
ton is identical in principle and feeling with
the party that elected and supported Thos.
Jefferson, and that those who oppose the
present party in powe: entertain the identical
views about government that were entertain
ed by the opponents Of Jefferson, and are
actuated by the same motives--in other
words, that modern democracy is Jefersonian |
democracy, and that opposition to modern
democracy is Federalism in its most oppro-
brious sense. Now this is the worst sort Of
delusion, and so far from being correct, quite |
the reverse comes nearer the truth, as can be |
shown to the satisfaction Of every unpreju.
diced mind. Mr.. Blackwell alluded to Know
Nothingism, and we understood him to dis. |
approve Of their principles 80 far as he com.
pretended them. But we will not attempt to
report him on this subject until we hear him
more fully, as we might do him injustice, n
thing we wish to avoid toward all men. We
desire to see the canvass in this Congress.
sional district conducted upon high and hon.
orable grounds, and free from all that bitter.
ness, acrimony, and littleness that character.
lied contests of the kind in times of high
party excitement, and in reporting the re-
marks Of candidates and commenting upon
them, we shall endeavor to do justice to all.
We regretted very much that Lieut.. Lillard
had not an opportunity of giving his views
upon some Of the questions likely to enter
into the canvass, but we trust to have the
pleasure of hearing HIM next week at Madi-
sonville.
W- Fat canes are now all the rage 10 New
York. II Is said they are hollow and will
contain something" This something" is
sucked out Of the handle through n quill
hole. The snobish mode Of sucking a
cane handle, will now be turned to some
account.