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

that there was any thing peculiar or remark
able in the day itself, for in fact, in regard TO
the weather 1t WAS pretty much like other
days about this time Of year, bat in respect
to some things il was unlike all the days we
ever Witnessed Being the first Monday of
the month-the time for holding County
COurt-there was, as usual on such occasions,
4 large number of persons in town---a con-
siderable proportion of whom Gere 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-
mocruts. To digress for moment, we FIRE.
quently hear from dreamy editors that the
Union is in danger from foes without and
professed friends within, but so long as 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, tdeir families, crops, &c. &c. About
noon tho speaking commenced, and from
high twelve till dewy eve the rostrum was
occupied, and one continuous stream of light
and knowledge poured upon the people 1t
would be folly in us u attempt a report of
the rirdrious speeches, that's our word, man
ufactured for the occasion, jim fact, COM
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
cd 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 country's safe.
But to be serious, Hon. J. w. Blackwell
led off, and consumed most of his time in
talking about the Know Nothings, whom he
thinks are 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-
bud and reillstate 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 moment, that any considerable
portion of natie-born Americans would
band together for dishonorable purposes and
raise their parrcidal hands to nhict injuries
upon the land Of their birth. At The same
time, it is not difficult to realize that an as.
sociaton like the Sag NIGHTS, composed prin-
ciplly of foreigners, men alien to the soil,
should meet in secret for the purpose of con-
c0cting and maturing schemes to obtain pos.
session of the government whose protection
they have sought. And we would stop here
TO ask, why is il tina: all the anathemas Of
the democratic leaders are hurled at the
heads of the Know Nothings, while they
have never word of reprova for this other
secret political organization! Why this vim
dictiveness toward the one order, and such
profound silence in regard to the other? Is
it because modern democracy has heretofore
drawn its strength and supremacy from the
foreign portion of our population, that they
condemn the one, and pass by the oiher!-
We disapprove of the secret feature of the
Know Nothing order, of the veil of mystery
which seems to be thrown around it, and we
are satisfied that it will never obtain even
temporary triumph at the South unless that
secrecy is discarded; still when it comes to
preference between secret organization
composed entirely of natiye-born Americans,
aiming at wise and patriotic purposes, and
secret order made up Of foreigners and of
those who pander TO their prejudices for sell
fish ends, there can be no hesitancy in de-
clariug as to with which our sympathies
must be.
To return, we have no doubt that Mr..
Blackwell honestly believes all he says about
the Know Nothngs but that he does so be-
lieve is neither complimentary to his under.
standing or experience. lie is a gentleman
whom we personally esteem and respect, and
we cannot but regret that he should waste so
much precious time in battling against m or
der of whose real objects, ends and aims he
seems to be profoundly ignorant--espccially
when there are other matters which might be
much more protitably discussed.
After Mr. Blackwell had concluded, Col.
Anderson appeared and touched upon several
topics in his usual happy and felicitous style.
In regard TO the Know Nothing question, we
understood Col. Anderson as disclaiming be-
longing to any order of that name, at the
same time he heartily endorses the Platform
promulgated by the American Party of Ten
nessec. That Platform, wewill here remark,
has been published in almost every paper in
the State, and contains nothing which inge-
nuity can torture into hostility to our institu-
tons or the best interests Of the country,
but on the contrary, breathes throughout the
purest spirit of patriotism. But we must
hasten on. When Col Anderson concluded