The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-09-05

THE SPEAKING AT COBB'S STORE


Editor Post TODAY, according to pre-
vious appointment, j. W. Blackwell met
respectable portion Of the citizens of the
twelfth and adjoining districts. at Cobb'i
store, and addressed them upon political is
sues. His Introductory remarks upon homes
ty and fairness in politics, as well as in Other
matters, were such as no man. Of whatever
political creed. could object to. and really
calculated to Sear him make change in hi:
manner of political speaking. but no sooner
was he done with theoretical honesty than
was the whole matter of fairness and honesty
left out of his speech. For he broke off IN
his usual manner of trying to deceive and
make false impressions. by broad assertions
without one particle of proof, and false
charges against Mr.. Fillmore and A. j. Don,
elson. Mr. Blackwell felt strong and indie.
pendent, for he was certain that there was no
person on the ground to contradict any Of
his false charges of Abolitionism against Fill
more. He told the Americans he believed
them, those that were present, to be honest
and honorable men, and he would not say
any hard things about them; but that he had
some hard things to say about the party, and
he would then say it was the most danlning
and damnable party in existence. That the
American party alone was chargable for the
present dangerous aspect Of Abolitionism;
and it had caused all the dangerous riots in
the large cities of the United States and
made great many other hard ard unfounded
charges against the party. He then took up
old Bucks record and showed it to be pure
and spotless for the last thirty years, to the
perfect satisfaction of all such as wanted to
believe that way-but said he would be can
did enough to admit that previous to that
t line he was Federaiist, but had repented-
In this way he went on for two dreadful long
hours, and then said he would give way, and
if any person wished to gainsay any thing
he had said they then could take the stand.
not dreaming las supposed from his actions)
that any person present would cheep. But
to his establishment, W. G. Vaughan arose and
stated he very much regretted that some per.
son nearner Mr.. Blackwell's age was not pres
ent to respond to his speech; that he was well
pleased with Mr.. Blackwell's Introductory
remarks about honestly aud fairness in poll
tics but was somewhat astonished 10 see him
SO soon deviating from this rule of honesty
and fairness. lie then proceeded to answer
the Abolition charges that had been made
against Fillmore. (Which he did in the most
satisfactory manner) and clearly showed him
to be the man for the crisis, and that he had
safely guided the ship Of state through just
such shoals and quick-sands as she was now
threatened with. In doing this he quoted
Democratic authority almost entirely to prove
that Fillmore's administration was able and
satisfactory, and restored peace and quiet to
the whole country, and that he left the Presi-
Dental chair amid the plaudits of all parties,
of we'll done, thou good and faithful servant.
He then proceeded to defend Amercansm in
most able and argumentative mann err
against the calumny and unqualified abuse
heaped upon 1t by Mr.. Blackwell. Some Of
the most Incorporating of the Democrats
after listening to Vaughan a few minutes
turned their backs, as the fire ives little too
severe. Vaughan spoke one hour and fifteen
minutes. Mr.. Blackwell replied forty min
utes, consuming the time in reiteratng his
false charges and denunciations of Fillmore
and the American party. Vaughan replied
about ten minutes, and Blackwell arose the
third time, as if determined to have the last
word, when Vaughan remarked if he did get
the last word las he seemed determined to-
he would have to stay all night. Mr.. Black
we'll took up his saddle bags and broke off in
an abrupt manner and left Vaughan talking.
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