The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-06-13


Mr.. Editor:-I like the spirit of the .r.i
Gle in your last number, on the subject O,
harsh aud abusive ePithets between editor,
and speakers in the discussion Of political
lSstters That some, who assume to be leader.
and who arrogate 10 themselves the right to
force down the throats of all who presume to
oppose them. the peculiar doetrines-the par.
ticular dogmas Of their class-should some.
times find themselves wanting in argument
and descend to personal abuse, is no good
reason why such mode Of political warfare
should be adopted BY men Of sense or lov~rs
OF Law and order. The idea is too prevalent
with many that might makes right, that lib
erty Of speech is license to abuse. and that he
who makes the most noise is most likely to
succeed; hence our country is often the scene
OF the most brutal outrages Car we trace
from the results the cause Of this state Of
thingsf Fifty years ago, liberty meant free
dom to do right. We yielded portion Of
what were considered personal rights for the
good Of society. We let the law punish Of.
tenders against the ell-being and peace of
society. We respected the rights Of others
and compelled them to respect ours. Il seems
to be different now. Each one is his own
judge; his own executioner, and the law /,
not respected as it should be. Mems passions,
and not their judgment, sway them. In
ollen times, political opponents were con.
vineed by argument or won over by plausible
reasoning; now, they are bullied into subjec-
tion or silenced by personal abuse It is not
the way for men battling. as they proclaim,
for great principles to act. 1t is not right
that brute force and vile denunciation should
be INDUCED in by those who profess to love
their country and to glory in her republican
institutions. We should aim higher. A more
exalted standard Of political morality should
be erected. We should merge our animosity
to men into courteous and gentlemauly oppo-
sition to their principles. But what has
brought about all thisi Unquestionably the
constant and continued agitation of exciting
and dangerous questions of sectional contro.
versy, by selfish and weak minded pretend
ers to reform, and by low, mean, and utterly
reckless intriguers fer political preferment--
men who have talents only for cunning and
chicanery, and having no stable principles
concerning healthful public policy. appeal
to the passions. the prejudices, OF the ignorant
or the vile. Is there no remedy for evils Of
such magnitudei Cannot public opinion,
mighty in influence If excited properly, do
something toward changsi Surely to at.
tempt to whip such men out with their own
weapons is the most egregious folly. Is
not really what they wish all they WANT
They live only by notoriety. and descending
to their level to daub them with mud is only
playing into their hands. for they are adopts
in such practices and always come out best
nothing to lose. they have all to gain. Let
us not bring such men into the notoriety they
,eek by noticing them at al, and ere long
public opinion will hurl them back whence
they sprung with scorn and Indignation. i
would defend myself from personal attack;
would resent personal insult; but I would
answer no abuse-would no6ce no malicious
slanders-maintaining my principles with
decorous and gentlemanly language, and the
best reasoning was capabh Of. II such dis
position and such sentiments are not APPROX
ed by majority Of the thinking, conserva-
tive men Of our country then indeed are'ws
come upon an abyss the depth aud darkness
Of which it were horrible to contemplate.
/ an, as ever, your friend,
sEQUATCHIE-
p.,1J.,, Han. PI,J,o. .n,,at, L,,.1