The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-02-23
rHE 2RoGREss or INrIpEuTY.
IFrOm The \. y. Journal Of oommeree.l

It is most earnestly to be deplored that so
few who are bornin this land and love Ameri.
can traditions are aware of the rapid hatred
of Christianity and its comitants, which in
spires the vast numbers who are yearly in
creasing our population from the continent of
Europe. We do not speak of the convicts
and paupers that are smuggled into our ports
from Genoa, Hamburg aud Trieste; but of the
tens of thousands Of Germans who from year
to wear come from provinces of Europe, CON-
pletely pantheizea. and with whom freedom
is considered synonymous with the downfall
Of the kingdomsoi the Redeemer. We called
attention some months ago to the fact, that
large numbers OF fyGsrmans who have come of
late years, to this conntry, are disciples of the
anarchist school of Heine according to whose
creed "there can tt-Eo true freedom until
Christianity is bloodily abolished" ]. e., until
persecution by infdes of Christians is in
stituted, with ends similar to those of Do
cetian OF Sapor. We showed that elections
had been made to turn upon the single point,
whether prayers should be offered to God in
our Legislatures; whether the Lords day
should be kept, and religious oaths be MAIN
taine1.
One of the most Influential German papers
in this city, published simultaneously, articles
warning the better class of Germans, of whom
there are so many in our city, against en-
couraging these excesses. Our remarks were
republished in various parts Of the United
States, and we trusted that a good result
might be produced. Since then, however,
another anniversary'has recuued of the birth
day of Thomas Paine, and it has filled our
hearts with shame 10 learn how the natal day
Of this enemy of God, of his Saviour and of
his country, has been celebrated. The Ger
man language constitutes barrier whieh
prevents the most Of our people from imagin-
ing what takes place behind the screen of
that unknown tongue. The Teutonic dialect
ensures the existence of the Anti Christian
legions, whose large numbers are reinforced
continually from abroad, as vast secret So
ciety to which none can have access who do
not 90 through an ardu9us and pains taking
apprenticeship of study, which in the end
leaves them when initiated, only among the
first class of novices. Yet its members are
easily naturalized,s become as speedily as
possible citizens Of these States; carrying
Atheism to the polls, and receiving the hon.
age of demagogue politicians to obtain few
miserable suffrages. 20
A few of the reforms demanded by the
.Freimaenner' sIzss sfhey call themselves
WHO have set y fisS'nhJnlas ? Aine as theirapos-
tie, and who strive to gain strength to revo.
stionize our free government by the estab.
lishment of the tyranny of anarchy, are
abolition of the aws for the observance OF
the Sabbath; abolition of oaths in Congress-
abolition of oaths upon the Bible, no more
prayer in our legislatures; abolition of the
Christian systems of punishment; abolition
of the Presidency-of all Senates, of all law
suits, involving expense; the right OF the peo'
Pile TO change the Constitution when they like
a reduced term in acquiring citizenship, &c.
These things are not sought after as mere
shadows, nor are they the dreams with which
visionaries amuse themselves, but which dc
no harm. They are seriously inculcated prin.
cipes, earnestly iustiled for the propagation
of which there exists several chief and many
minor societies, TO which hundreds of thou.
sands of foreigners are affiliated, who are in
constant communication with each other, and
act in concert, and who are beginning to be
felt in every corner of the land, but particu'
larly in the West, where their efforts are
greatly aided by the growing RIGHTEOUSNESS
| of Abolitionism.