The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-08-15
MAYNARD AND POLK AT CHATTA.
NOOGA.
CHArrANooGA. Aupust I2t


Mr.. EdiiOr:-Yesterday Messrs. Maynard
and Polk commenced the canvass at this place.
Without having taken notes on either side, it
would be useless for me to attempt report
of the discussion in detail. Mr.. Maynard
opened the debate, and led off for an hour
and half in his peculiarly fascinating and
convincing style of oratory. He is gentle.
man eminently qualified by nature, by educa.
ton and his habits Of investigation, to throw
light on almost any subject he might think fl
to turn his attention to. This was evident
from the manner in which he discussed the
questions al present dividing the various
parties in the country. He took up the re-
cord of Mr.. Buchanan, and by facts and argu-
ments that will not, cannot be successfully
controverted, satisfied every impartial mind
that the past history of the democratic nom.
nee affords no guaranty and no reliable clue
as to what will be his future course in regard
to the vexed questions which give the Ameri.
can people SO much concern at this time
The dim, shadowy, blue light, That evinced
his opposition to the war Of 1912 and to the
democratic party; his vascilating course in
reference to the Missouri Compromise, the
Black Tariff and The subject of negro slavery
in the Territories, and the right of Congress
to legislate thereon, rs shown up by Mr..
Maynard, prove to every man not indissolubly
wed to the prejudices of party, that James
Buchanan has ever been mere trimmer on
the political arena; pursuing his own selfish
ends and looking to the main chance with the
unpurturbed air of practiced political gam.
bier. That he has not shown himself worthy
Of the confidence of the American people,
having in every crisis through which the
country has passed and on every question Of
national import since he has been in public
life, acted so as most effectually to advance
his own interests without regard TO the public
veal, is most manifest from his history as
exhibited by Horace Maynard yesterday.
Or the other hand, Maj. Polk, though he
comes with the prestige given him on account
Of his having had brother who was Presi.
dent-a man of talents, stern integrity and
lofty patriotsm-doubtless labors under many
disadvantages, not the least of which, is his
having to carry man justly chargeable with
some of the most grievous sins denounced in
the democratic decalogue. The Maj. frankly
confesses, however, Buchannn's federalism,
but avoids the consequences Of it by pleading
the statute Of limitations. The Bank and
tariff proclivities of the Cincinnati nominee
did not strike Mr.. Polk as being worthy of
notice; his utilization with the Van Burens, the
8entons, the Reeders, ct id omne genus, is n
matter Of so little moment as not to demand
any attention whatever at his hands. The
whole bent and tenor of his argument was TO
show that Know Nothingism is vile emana-
ton from m abolition hot-bed; and that Mil
lard Fillmore is not more sound and reliable
than Fremont. He urged every body, and
particularly old line wings. to vote for Buch.
anan in order TO defeat the nefarious purposes
OF the Black Republicans. His whole nrgu.
ment, except some anecdotes and wittcisms,
was mere rehash of what democratic orators
and editors have been dosing the people of
Tennessee on for the last eighteen months.
IF the discussion here is an earnest of what is
to follow till November, il may be set down
rs fixed fact that the valleys and mountain
gorges in oil the land will become vocal with
the exutant shout of triumph that will be
raised in East Tennessee in November next.
Fillmore and Donelson; the Union; and the
principle that "Americans shall rule America"
will bear down upon the serried cohorts who
have come out to take our fair heritage and
give it to the Philistnes, with such dreadful
force that their most valiant Captains will
flee terror stricken into the wilderness never
again to emerge from their lurking places.
tw A friend sends us the following brief
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