The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-09-26
RIGHT AHEAD.


ahead ioithout shadOlc Of turning. The peo
pie are now well aroused in every part of the
country, to the importance of action for the
safety of the Republic. The terrible appeals
to local passions and sensibilities; to !oca
pride and prejudices, has compelled the con
servative national men to action. Residents
of our city, just arrived from tour through
several Northern States, assure us the whole
country is wild with excitement. But every,
where the struggle is between Fremont and
Fillmore. The border slave States are stir
red with degree of feeling unprecedented
Party begins to loose its binding force, and
the country once again seems to receive the
affectionate consideration of the masses.
No man doubts the fact that the Union is
dear to true American hearts. Those alone
corrupted by the spois of office, or whose
young hearts have not felt the glow ofyouthfuI
h erosm as they heard or read the story Of
revolutionary enthusiasm, really desire The
destruction of our glorious fabric Of govern.
ment. But thousands are deceived by tie
wntchwords of party leaders, and rush madly
on to selfdestructon, believing that they are
pursuing the path of true patriotism.
The deusion effected by the arts Of ambi.
ton and demagogueism will pass away from
the minds of the people, both North and
South, If the truth is generally diffused and
enlightened efforts are made for the triumph
Of the cause of the country.
Let the motto of every American be, right
ahead Heed not the artifices which will he
used to weaken hope or palsy effort. Each
man has holy duty to perform, which is
none the less a duty even if his labor proves
OF no avail, The triumph of sectionalism is
certain, whether Fremont or Buchanan be
successful. Fortunately the contest lies be.
tween Mr. Fillmore and Fremont, with posi-
tive certainty that unless the latter succeeds
by the popular vote, he cannot reach the
Presidential chair. For Fillmore, then, let
every man steadily work with the firm con.
viction that upon his efforts depends the safe.
ty of the Union itself Each mans intellect
and heart tell what it is his duty to do. Let
him go right ahead and do it without asking
whether he will succeed or not.
He who calculates chances of success, and
votes in such manner as to be found with
the majority, is unworthy to be freeman.--
He is not made of the material which consti-
tutes m heroic character. He is fit only to
become the tool of others-the contempt of
the noble, the scorn of the good. The power
of selEgovernmrnt implies the ability to un.
derstand duty and the honesty and manliness
10 perform it regardless Of consequences
1t is to be regretted that there are many
who are kind of walters upon providence
who waver with each change of the phase of
a canvass and only strive to throw up their
caps and shout victory with the winning side
They resemble the French villagers, that
Paul Louis Courier tells his pleasant story
about, who annoyed at the frequent changes
Of government which had taken place in
their country, as far as they could see with
out rhyme or reason, and with which they
had nothing to do, except being compelled to
shout the party cry of the day, at last met in
solemn council and resolved thnt-"seeing
the extreme difficulty of knowing at what
precise time either Vive lie Roi, Vive la Re-
publique, Vive rEmpereur, or Vive anything
else, was quite appropriate, it would be nd.
viaable, until further notice, to abstain from
shouting at ALL"
For once let us all recollect the country is
seriously in danger, rand that he,who would not
be compelled to look upon its mournful ruins
must for once act with decision. according TO
the promptings of his own heart We need
not add that nine tentEs of our population
regard Mr.. Fillmore as the man npon whom
they alone can rely; they confess it in their
conversations, they admit it in their argu-
ments, and let them go ahead and vote it, and
the country is safe.