The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-07-24
THE CANVASS.

we don't recollect when IN tennessee mere
has been 30 little excitement among the peo
pie Of all parties in regard TO elections, rs
has characterized the present canvass from
it's commencement to this time. Wherever
the candidates for Governor spoke, large
crowds assembled to hear thsm-they were
listened to with more than usual atten-
ton; but when the speakers left the stand
the people have quietly dispersed, without
any manifestation of that feeling and ex-
element which too often follows the contro-
versies Of the hustings. It Is this evident
absence of every thing like excitement that
leads Us TO hope for a favorable result to our
cause, and impresses the belief that the peo-
pie are about to cast from them the politi-
clans and heartless demogsgues who have,
by appeals 10 party prejudices and party
names, too often succeeded in deluding the
honest masses and diverted their attention
from the interests and questions at issue.
making availability and self-assurance the
chief qualifications for public office and fore
ing honest merit and capacity to the wall.
The candidates for Governor have travers.
ed East Tennessee, and made speeches in al
most every county. From every point we
have heard, the American candidate was sus-
tanning himself nobly, and advocating the
cause committed to his keeping in a manner
that carried conviction to the minds Of all
who heard him. We cannot but believe, in
view of the great interests involved, that the
people of East Tennessee will come up gen.
erously to his support, and if the balance Of
the State does its duty, that he must be til
umphantly elected.
In respect 10 the Congressional election,
Col. Heiskel is prosecuting the canvass with
vigor, and from the upper and middle por-
lions of the District our accounts argue fn-
vorable result. From the counties of Ma
rion, Hamilton, and Bradley we have no posi-
tive information, though we have no doubt
our friends in each will do all of their duty.
With none other than the kindliest personal
feelings for Col. Smith, and politics aside, We
are confident he ought not to be reelected.
His reckless and unjustifable course in the
last Congress-his thougbtess disregard of
and Indifference to the substantial interests of
the people of his District-his completely
with the election Of Speaker Banks, and his
vote and advocacy Of the Compensation Bill,
ought, in our judgment, if no other objec-
lions stood prominently forth, to consign Col.
Smith to the valley and shadow Of retracy,
at least for season sufficient for Repentance,
il not forever; and we know that such is the
opinion of the more rejecting and dispas-
sionate men of his own party. We say we
know it, because we have heard them so ex-
press themselves. At the same time, how
ever, that many of his political friends so
think and believed portion Of them, under the
influence of party name, party attachment,
and party drill, will support and vote for him.
And what an illustration the act will be of
the worse than slavish chains which party
throws around its victims, inducing them to
do that which their judgment and consciences
condemn! His competitor, Col. Heiskell, 10
plain, substantial, practical man-of settled,
honest habits, and would not be led to the
neglect of the public welfare by mingling
in the partisan struggles Of the House, or by
the Establishments and temptations which
our recent Representative told us in his
speech at Washington, prevail so fatally in
and around the Federal Capitol. He 10 well
with the wants and interests of
the people, and If elected would discharge
the duties Of the station with fidelity to his
constituents and creditaby TO himself He
is in favor of distributing the public lands,
or the proceeds thereof, equitably among all
the States-is in favor of the repeal of the
Bill, by which Col. Smith and
others voted themselves three thousand dol
lars year out Of the pockets of the people;
and he believes that the government ouph:
to he brought back as near as possible to the
more wise and economical policy which cha
ractsrized it at m earlier period of it's OK.
istence.
II is but two weeks to the election. The
issues involved are large and important, and
1t will be the duty Of every freeman to vote
upon them as he honestly believes to be
rght-not as Wing or Democrat, Know
Nothing or Sag NIGHT; but as an American
citizen--as man having the independence
and spirit to think and act for himself, and |
not ut the bidding of the political tricksters
and demagogues, the ghouls who feed and |
fatten on the public interests. It is time this
latter class was kicked aside, and that the
people took more watchful care over their |
own interests and trusted less to the politi. |
cians.
PRor. COOKIES Music CAUSE.-THE Young |
ladies' of Prof. Cookies Music Glass gave
Concert at the Presbyterian Church on Fri.
day evening last. The audience out to hear
them was large. Without any peculiar ca
pacty for discriminating in The science of
music, we can say that the class has made
astonishing progress since their former Con-
cert, many of them evidencing that it only
needs additional cultivation Of their musical
talents to place them in the rank Of first rate
performers. MIR. Cooke has long enjoyed the