The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-02-01
THE GREAT CONTEST OF SO.
TRrom the Richmond whie.l

We IRE already IN the midst of the might, |
contest for the Presidential robes, during the |
next four years. In every capitol of every
state, and possibly in every town aud village
Of the concdrracy. politicians nre Mt work
fixing the wires for the success of their espe.
cial favortcs. At no former period of our
history has there been such a supcrabundance
of nsprants for the vacant honors. The
election of General Pierce, ty reducing the
standard of qualifications, has inspired every
cross road Demagogne with hopes, and filled
him with the conviction of his pre.eminent
fitness for illustrating and adjoining the sta.
ton once occupied BY Washington. State
Conventions and State Legislatures arc en-.
ployed in the same patriotic labor. The
aspirants themselves write letters, make
speeches, perambulate the country and in.
flame the general excitement by the ardor of
their interested zeal.
Mr.. Pierce, the present incumbent, appears
to have taken the field little in advance of
any Of his competitors. His message was a
bid for the entire South, and the expectation
is or was, that the whole would be knocked
out to him without rival. The Charleston
Mercury has responded with the declaration,
that General Pierce is, under the crcun,.
stances, the proper and natural candidate of
the South! That's gun fired across tho
bows of somebody's craft!
Old Buck is nex:in view, at least so far rs
external operations enable one TO Judge His
friends have organized the great State of
Pennsylvania, and for the first time, present
an undivided front. Having fixed things at
home, they ARE extending their operations
abroad, and BY strange sort of combination,
it is said, are playing havoc with Mr.. Hunters
ducks in his native waters.
The Hunte.ites have got an inklng of this,
and have accordingly increased their activity.
But we fear they nre too indignant for sue.
ccsstnl operations. They are indignant with
Pierce, for daring to launch his little canoe
agnin-they are furious with those, whom
they suspect of domestic treaehcry, and who
are trying to trade them off to Old Buck; and
they know not what to think of the Charles.
ton Mercury. But they are game, and will be
heard tell of yet before the fight is over.
Dur Governor has quit writing letters of
lase, and is quietly waiting Till Old Bucks
last card is exhausted.
Gen. Cass and the whole batch of "Old
Fogies" are affecting moderation and forbear.
ance, in the hope that something will turn
up, while their partisans are diligently at work
sowing discord among their more youthful
rivals.
"Live Oak George"is making respectable
demonstration in New York-and if n big
head and great heart can win the day, his
friends have not n fear Of the result.
a u the signfrunts-wnrmed into life
dhope by the extraordinary success of
General Pierce, while their more renowned
competitors are stirring up all creation, are
not idle.
But one and all of these ambitious patriots
have reckoned without their host. While
they are spending slcepl"ss nights and cords
Of moncy-exhausting body, soul and purse,
forming new intrigue here, and II promising
combination there; the game is blocked upon
them! They have forgotten TO consult the
only true oracle! MIR, Bolts, twelve months
ago, could have told them the exact "manner
Of man" the next President would be-, !. e.,
Southern man with Northern principles?-
Now, he can designate not only the "manner
of man" but the identical man, and that is
himself! lie has the Presidency in his
breeches pockets! See him at the corner of
the street, with one hand filed with letters
and the other with papers! Behold him ex-
pounding the law and the prophets to group
of admirng listeners! What energy! What
frrvor! The feathered fates are sped He
has the result of the ballot.boxes! The
Inaugural is already prepared-hus been read
to n select few-and in the opinion of John
Smith q Co., is the most tremendously
powerful document that ever was concocted
for the establishment of the present and the
wonder OF all future ages! Even the Cabinet
appointments are all defnitively arranged,
and ten out of the sepen hal, from the ever
glorious city of Richmond and vicinity!
Alas! for bighted hopes What pity the
many great men, who are now toillng up the
Presidential steep, could not, before wasting
their energies of mind and body, have got n
peep into the hand of Fate and Bolts!
A STRONG TEAM.-The Wheeling Inteli.
gencer states that the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad train, which arrived there on Tues.
day required the force of thirteen locomotives
for the passage from Baltimore to Wheeling.
The road is now clear and the trains regular.
eB- The Supreme Court has dismissed
the appeal in the Fremont case brought BY
the United States, thus confirming Colonel
Fremonts claim to the land in California,
known us "Mariposa," and valued ut several
millions Of dollars.
EFFECT OF A NoE-ORo AsIzATIoN.-Tt is
stated that the Secretary Of the Treasury has
decided that Mr. Forney is Clerk only for