The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-07-10
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
WIsHrrsrou. Rhes CO., July Z

ance was small, but as large perhaps as could
have been expected, as the people generally
are engaged in harvesting their wheat crop,
which in this, like other counties have been
in, is much larger than ever before. Col.
Heiskell opened the debate, and discussed
the issues Of the contest with point and
ability, and, 90 far as have had an oPportu-
nifty to learn, to tho satisfaction Of all who
heard him, with the exception, perhaps, Of a
few Of the iron-ribbed and web-footed, who
would not believe the words of truth and
sobefns,s, In matter where party was con.
cerned, IL those words were spoken even by
the lips Of inspiration. The two questions
which Col. Heiskell discusses most promi-
nently, are Distribution and the Compensa-
ton Bill. II is not necessary to detail the
debate, or to follow Col. Heiskell through
his remarks. IL 10 sufficient to state, that
upon the land question he is argumentative
and convincing, and snforces his views and
positions with an emphasis and clesrness Pc
culiar TO good sense and 8 sound practical
mind. Upon the Compensation Bill, he
warmed up my friend, Col. Sam, pretty con-
siderably, showing that ut the time of his
election to the Congress Of the United States,
he entered into solemn contract with the
people of the Third District to serve them
in that capacity for the sum of eight dollars
per day--they elected him upon that under
standing; but when he reached Washing ton
he proceeded TO annul the contract, and
voted himself, instead Of eight, thirty dollars
per day. That act Of our late distinguished
Representative is attracting good deal Of
the attention Of those who were his constitu-
snts, and the facts and figures adduced by
his competitor. Col. Heiskell, are evidently
making an impression upon some of his
wsrmest friends among the masses, which
will manifest itself more plainly at the ballot.
box in August. Col. Heiskell also alluded,
in the course Of his remarks, to Mr.. Smiths
intimate connection with the election of
Black Republican Banks to the Speakership
Of the last Congress-the act which guve
life, shape, substance and hope to the anti
slavery party, and enabled it to take posi-
ton in the last Presidential contest that jeop-
ardized our institutions and shook the Union
to its centre.
When Col. Smith come to reply, he occu-
pied some twenty-five minutes of his precious
time with an assault upon the poor Know.
misbegotten Children of
the Mist, who, at one time, threatened to
swallow up and engulph the universal and
everlasting" Democracy. Sam evidently don't
like his ubiquitous namesake. He first in
timated that it was defunct institution, and
then pitched into it rather ferociously -an
illustration of combaiiveness which forcibly
called to mind the valorous attack of the
ackass upon the dead lion. The Colonel
'aid the Know Nothings were mighty bad
'et Of fellows-thnt they had even approach
ID him 10 the earlier days OF the organizes
and tried to side-line and rope him
INTO the hidden beauties Of the Council
he told them, no! it was
intended to attack and denounce
{, though all the world should forsake him
md If It become necessary, like another
roman, he would leap into the yawning
hasm 10 save his country from the threat
med ruin. Now, it occurred to me, although
may be mistaken in my recollection, that I
lad heard all that pretty display Of flatuIent
from Mr.. Smith upon several
Iormer occasions, and that no was trying to
void the responsibilities Of the present BY
dwelling on the past. Col. Smith referred
% Distribution brieay-don't deny the Con-
Of the proposition to distribute
he proceeds Of the public lands, but deems
/. inexpedient. He admits that the public
ands have been an immense source OF cor.
'uption in and out Of Congress, and proposes
10 give them away to emigrants at twenty
i've cents per acre, which he says would be
Tho cost Of cleaning them out Of the Land
Office. This idea Of the Colonel's is derived
rom Andy Johnson's homestead bill. He
nays he never voted for any Of the land
grants to the Western States, that he never
will vote Cor any Of them, although we be.
isve II is mainly through the fundamentally
,f his party that the new States are made
he recipients Of sueh donations, and the old
States, by whose blood and treasure the pub
ic domain was mainly acquired, are kept
rom fair and equitable participation in this
common property. Upon the Compensation
Bill Col. Smith ls lame and miserable. 1t Is
rue, he marches up to Il with m affectation
IF bravery which finds n parallel in the case
Of the little short tailed bull who bowed his
neck and pitched into the locomotive; but /
I'm disposed to think, from the indications,
hat he will find himself, at the end of this
,ontest, in the condition Of that same little
ndiscrset snimal--off tho track, with his
heels up, and badly crippled, il not complete
y used up. He says that the new law was
adopted as matter Of economy. and that |.
will save the government Ave millions Of dol
lars annually. He didn't tell US how. But
We suppose il is on the principle Of making
money by buying an article at wholesale for
,,co dollars and selling Il by retail for one.=