davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19
DISTRIBUTION.


Week before last we published paragraph
expressing qualification that our contemporary
Of the Cleveland Clarion was about to break
ground upon the question Of Distribution.-
We took it for granted, of course, that gen
tleman Of the enlarged intelligence. liberal
views, and laborious investigation Of the
editor of the Clarion-one whom we knew to
be free from party bias-wOuld take the equi-
table side Of the question. But it seems we
were mistaken, for In the last number OF bis
paper friend Collins comes out against Dis.
tribution. According to others the same
honesty of motive that we claim for our
self we have no right to object to the course
of the Clarion on this subject, although we
are willing to confess to little disappoint-
ment. Still, We can say we are gratified.
because, however much we might have de-
sired to have the Clarion with US in support
of Distribution, we now know we shall have
at least one newspaper opponent IN the Dis
trict who is capable Of occasionally rising to
the dignity Of an argument, and Of appre-
ciating facts when they are spread before
him, and who, in the discussion Of all ques.
tions, whether of political, social, moral,
or educational character, will pursue course
of candOr, honesty, fair dealing, and deaency.
We give the Clarion's views on Distrbu-
ton the benefit of our circulation, uDaccom-
panied by comment, knowing our readers
will readily discover whether they are falla-
cious or otherwise. Here is its article:
Tue PUBLIC LANps.--There is scarcely any
subject on which more disputstion has arisen
than on a distribution Of the public domain.
Political parties for a series Of years have
made of it hobby horse.
We shall not retrograde to the period when
a proposition was made for distribution, or
attempt entering into detailed argument OF
all the pros and cone in which disputants in
dulged; but merely remark, that when the
proposal first originated, it could have been
assented to more equitably than at present.
A division of the public lands now would
give but a trihe to each OF the federal men,
bers; would not realize, Thus su6dlyided, any
thing Of importance TO either.
Should the government cease to he an
agent for the States, the lands would fall into
the hands OF monied moDopolists, who, IN
stead of offering the territory at $l,25 per
acre, would establish price far beyond the
reach of the slim purses. not only of the i'm.
mense influx Of emigrants who are annually
vending their way to our country. but from
thousands of native citizens, who with their
increasing families are leaving the densely
crowded eastern portions for the far and fer
tile west.
Let the public lands pass from the hands
of the general government into those Of spec
ulators; the flood of emigration to them would
be stagnated and our AtsntIc sections be
:illed with 4 burdensome population.
Until some new light be thrown on the
subject we shall remain opposed to the gov
eminent yielding its control: not only be.
cause we believe it would be an act Of inius.
lice to the old Southern States, but conscious
that its general tendencies would be PERM.
cious.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19
in useless and improper appropriations of the

in useless and improper appropriations of the
public money, if more farmers and fewer pro-
fessional spendthrifts occupied seats in our
halls of legislation. ] set up no superior
claim from being myself farmer, which has
been my vocation nearly all my life-but il
you think me capable, faithful and honest,
hope you will not reject me in consequence
of my profession. Nor will you expect me,
not having been actively engaged in political
discussion, to meet all the questions that
may be agitated during the canvass with that
t1uency and tact that would be expected of a
practiced politician who had been long in
the service, with every means of informing
misunderstanding nothing to do but to pre-
pare himself for speech.
At the last session of Congress law was
passed increasing the pay of members Of
Congress from eight dollars day, and eight
dollars for every twenty miles travel, to three
thousand dollars year and eight dollars for
every twenty miles travel from their homes
to Washington City and back again, and the
very members who passed it drew the pay
for the year in which the law was passed.
thing perhaps unprecedented in the annals
of legislation. Not only so, bu. the term of
the members from some of the States, those
from Tennessee among the number, expired
on the fourth OF March last. But before
they left Washington they actually drew the
increased pay not only for the whole session
up to the fourth Of March, but up to the first
Monday in next December, when the new
Congress meets; and many who drew the
money for the nine months in advance, dur
ing which time they are at home attending
to their own business, will never go back,
for some of them will not be candidates and
others will be beaten, as think all ought to
he who voted for this law and drew the pay
The Constitution of the State Of Tennessee
would not allow the Legislature to pass a
law increasing the pay of its members and
then draw the increased compensation Cor
that session. The section in our Constitution
which fixes the pay of members, closes with
these words: "But no law increasing the
compensation of members shall take effect
until the commencement Of the next regular
session after such law shall have beln en-
acted" (See 23d Section, I'd Artiele.) 1t
will be recollected that in the year 49,,
Congress passed law fixing the pay Of
members at fifteen hundred dollars a session,
but so odious to the people was this law that
scarcely man who voted for it was able to
be reelected, and at the very next session
the law was repealed, and one fixing daily
compensation of eight dollars day was
passed in its place.
Yours,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

CANDIDATE FOR CoNGREss.-ln our paper
today will be found Card, from Col. VIM
HEIskELL, Of Monroe county, responsive to
the call to become candidate for Congress:
in this District Col. Heiskell accepts the
position, and gives his views upon some oil
the more importan! issues before the people
We have only space to remark at present, thai
he will do his duty in the contest, and we cal
upon our friends to give Rim an earnest, cor
dial and harmonious support. He is worthy
ia all respects, of the place for which he i:
candidate, and if elected, will be the honest
faithful and impartial representative Of the
people of the District.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

POPULAR DREAD OF THE CoMEr.-In England
the fear of harm from the approach of the
expected comet has prevailed to IN incredi.
BILE extent. not only among the masses, but
among the cultivated and aristocratic. Many
have believed that the world would come to
an end on the 18th Of June; the scriptures
have been anxionsly searched for predictions
Of the event, and the priests and clergy have
been tormented with questions. Some have
made preparations for the catastrophe by a
course of fasting and prayer; others have
foolishly squandered their property, believ-
ing in good sooth that they would have nc
further need Of it. The belief has prevailed
that on the day named the fiery messenger Of
doom would be seen drawing nearer and
nearer to our earth; that its massive bulk
would spread and fill the whole visible hori
zon, enveloping this globe in utter darkness
drawing the water out of our seas and rivers
and finally converting the world into heap
Of cinders.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19


MAN HUNG BY A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE IN Rock.
INeHAM COUNTY, VA.-Jefferson Randall, who
had been sent from Rockingham county, Va
by a Vigilance Committee, for numerous law
less acts, such as burning barns, robberies
and planning the assassination Of certain
prominent citizens in that county, returned
there on Friday last. lie was Immediately
arrested by the Vigilance Committee and
held in custody TO see II he could not be sur.
rendered into the hands of the law on legal
proof Not being able to accomplish that
object. the committee, on Tuesday, took him
out and hung him on tree until he wa.
dead. Randall was a mar Of extraordinary
physical strength, and when captured was
armed with gun and pistol. but did not Of.
fer any resistance to his captors Jones, a
son+in-law Of RandalPs, was also 10 the Gus
tody Of the committee, and was to have been
hung yesterday.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

tE- Harris defends his advocacy Of alien
suffrage, by charging that Mr.. Fillmore en-
dorsed the same by signing the Washington
Territorial bill. This is an indirect way of
telling falsehood. Alien suffrage was en-
grated upon the Oregon bill, land signed by
President Polk. Afterwards, Washington
Territory was cut off from Oregon and cree
ted into separate territorial government,
and the bill received the signature of Mr..
Fillmore. But alien suffrage had been mp
piled, by democratic administration, to the
whole Of Oregon, OF which Washington was
then part. Mr.. Fillmore simply signed "A
bill for the division Of the original Territory
into two. This is all; and the attempt to
hold up Mr. Fillmore as the endorser OF
alien suffrage, is a species OF demagoguism
to which we had hoped Harris was superior.
But he is democrat, and the Lord only
knows what may BE- expected from members
of that Clarksulle Chronicle.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

WASHINGTON RIoT VERDIor.-The Intelligent
Ger gives the following as the verdict of the
inquest on the body of one of the persons
killed on Monday week last:
The Jury summoned, sworn, and charged
to inquire into the cause of the death Of Cor
nelius ii. Alston, "do cay. upon their oaths,
that the said Cornelius II. Aston came to his
death by gun shot wound, received while
standing peaceably and quietly at the corner
of Seventh street, opposite the Northern Lib
critics market, (recently his place Of business,
from detachment of United States Marines
acting under the control Of the Mayor Of
Washington and the Jury do further find
from the concurrent testimony of all the wit
nesses, that the firing by the marines was all
subsequent to the obtaining possession of the
swivel. l.. HENsBAw, Foreman"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

MORE DEsERTIoSs.-We notice the aban'
donment of Black Republican politics by the
New York Times. The New York Herald
has followed its example in cutting loose
from the black party, of which il says:
One praise is certainly due to the Repub-
licans Of this State. They are without
question the most corrupt set of politicians
we ever had. We have had good many
corrupt parties and party leaders in thi'
State; but party 80 ready to sacrifice every
consideration of public welfare and abstract
justice to private gain as these Republicans
we never had before, and we do most earn
estly hope we shall never have again.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19
DEMOCRACY AND THE DISTRIBU-
TON.
IRON the Memphis Ners.l

| From the Memphis News.l
We believe that it is a universally recog'
nized dogma of the democracy" that, "Con-
gress cannot do indirectly, what il cannot dc
directly" A legitimate deduction from this
principle is, that if the National Legislature
possesses the power under the Constitution
to dispose of portion Of the public lands fol-
any other purpose than to raise revenue, il
has the same power to dispose of the phole;
in other words-if Congress may constitu-
tionally distribute the public lands, or the
proceeds of the same, indirectly, by grants ia
particular States, il can surely dispose of the
whole of this common fund.-" by direct legis-
lation for just and equal distribution among
all the States. 1t is therefore a self-evident
proposition, that every Democratic member
of Congress, who votes for an appropriation
of public lands for Internal improvements in
any State or Territory of the Union, con-
eedes the unlinited constitutional power of
Congress to pass laws for a general and
equitable distribution.
For the purpose of showing that the right
of Congress to distribute the public lands
among the States indirectly was recognized
by majority of the Democratic Senators in
Congress on the 10th of May, 1850, We quote
the ayes and noes, on the passage Of the bill
to grant some thirty millions of dollars worth
of land to the State Of Illinois to enable her
to construct her "Ceniral Railroad" (See
Congressional Globe for 1850, page $685.
Ayes-Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Bell, Ben
ton, Boriand, Bright, Cdss, Cortpin, DAVIS,
of Mississippi, Dodge, Of Wisconsin, Dodge,
of Iowa, Douglas, Townes, Foote, Houston,
Jones, King, Nangum, Morton, Sebastian,
Seward, Shi.!d,, Smith, Sturgeon, Under
wood and Walker-26.
Noes-Nessr& Bradbury, Butler, Chase,
Clark, Dawson, Dayton, Hunter, Miller, Nor
ris, Phelps, Pratt, Turney, Wales and Yulee
IA.
Eighteen Democrats 10 favor of the Bill!
and six against i. And yet our Democratic
contemporaries who profess to adhere to the
doctrine that "Congress cannot do indirectly
what 1t can do directly" would persuade
people that distribution is an unconstitutional
and anti-democratic measure.
1t strikes US forcibiy-that our anti-dstri-
button friends must take either one or the
other horn of the dilemma, ard admit that
democratic platforms are mere gull traps to
catch votes for a party whose leaders do not
recognize the binding force of the principles
they procam-or confess that the vote on
the Bill making appropriations Of land to the
Illinois Contra Railroad, affords good ground
Cor the assumption, that distribution, is good,
sound, democratic doctrine.
While on this subject, we may as well, re-
call the attention of our readers to the fact
that among the votes recorded in favor of Mr..
Clay's Land Bill, in the Senate in 1886, is
that of James Buchanan.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

NRw York June l2.-It was Iumored that
the Chincha Islands (the three small guanO
islands in the Pacific, off the coast Of Pern,
and belonging to it,) would be placed under
the joint protectorate Of England and France
Col. Crabbe when mastered in Sonora
was led out alone, and his hands were lied
to post above his head. His body W"
pierced by hundred bullets. 1t was arpree'
hended That the Calfornians to avenge his
death, would adopt some general plan OF 70,
venge against the Mexican settlers OF shss
State,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

MORE ABOUT THE KANSAS COSsPIRAcY-
The Chicago Times, organ of the Democratic
party of the Northwest, has the following in
reference to Gov. Walkers inaugural, and the
prospect OF Kansas being Free State. 1t
will be observed that, for so glorious a con-
summation, the Times claims especial credit to
what it calls the "National Democracy"
We publish this morning numerous ex-
tracts from Gov. Walkers inaugural address
to the people Of Kansas. 1t is replete with
sound argument, excellent advice, and evnces
a strong determination to bring Kansas
through her troubles. The new State is
about to be formed. Land grants will follow
Tor schools and railroads, all of which are far
more beneficial to the country and the people,
than senseless wranglng about slavery. We
hare no doubt but Kansas ,eiH hare a COnsti-
tuition prohibiting the introduction Of Slavery;
and with that Constitution will he admitted.
She ,oiH not one her ".freedom" 10 the Adolf
tionistS, but to the National Democracy
Northern and Southern.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

w Ex-Governor Bebb, of Ohio, who re-
Gently fired upon a party of serenaders, at his
residence in Winnebago county, Illinois, and
killed one of them and wounded others, has
been honorably discharged, after full inves.
tigat;on of the matter. The serenaders, il
appears, were gang Of rowdies, who sur
rounded the house of the Ex-Governor, and
insuted his family, until he was compelled to
fire upon them, after begging and coaxing
them to leave.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19
ew- The man of the Cleveland Bann


Ey- The man of the Cleveland Banner,
who seems to have full appreciation of the
fact that the chief business of locofoco
editor in this world is TO misrepresent and
lie, says 10 his last the Athens Post charges
that the law creating the office of Tax As
SCISSOR "was n democratic measure" Now
ignorance and impudence never gave publicity
to a more wilful perversion. The Post never
made any such charge, or uttered any thing
that any man having a legitimate knowledge
Of words or language could so construe.-
All We said on the subject was in reference
to paragraph (from correspondent in the
Nashville Union and Amsrican, which para
graph was designed to make the impression
that opposition to the Assessor law was
principle with the democratic party, and not
Of recent date. Here is our paragraph:
"As the Tax Assessor net is of democratic
origin the offspring of democrat and was
pretty generally supported by the democrats,
as weH as by The Americans, in the last Leg
islature, we would like to know what the
true democratic gospel is on that subject
noto."
That's all we uttered on the subject, and we
put 1t to any one possessing common homes
ty whether there is any thing in the language
employed or in the construction of the para
graph to justify the assertion that we said the
law "was n democratic measure" On the
contrary, the fact that we said the law
was generally supported by Americans as
well as democrats, by all rules of fair and
legitimate construction forbade any such
conclusion as that at which the Banner man
pretends to have arrived. We do not know
how the term "measure" is defined in the
locofoco vocabulary, but we are certain it
must necessarily have very different signii-
cation from the word "origin," which is I'M
derstood 10 mean "beginning, source from
whence any thing comes" &c. Our under
standing is, that the bill was the offspring
of democrat, aud that il was supported by
the talent aud intelligence of both parties in
tic iNgISiutuTts US tHc DhIneT Cuii tdsHy
learn by extending its investigations into the
House Journal or by making enquiry of the
democratic candidate for the State Senate in
the Bradley district. But il is unnecessary,
If not useless, to pursue the subject. No
one possessing an ordinary knowledge of
language will put the construction on the
paragraph in question that the Banner does,
and we have no hope that any amount of Ia.
Dor we might bestow upon it would educate
that paper out Of its errors, or cure it of its
propensity to pervert, malgn and misrepre-
sent. 10 fact, there is good reason to believe
that a course of fair dealing and honesty
in any matter of controversy, would ruin the
Banner in the estimation of the leaders of its
party. Locofocolsm lives, fourishes and
grows ia. On falsehood and misrepresenta.
ton, and IL is the business Of the party edi
tors to furnish food for the animal. Let us
not censure them too strongly for faithful
discharge of the appropriate work assigned
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19
w-The Chnttanooga Advertiser

HThe Chattanooga Advertiser de-
nounces Hatton for having supported the
Assessor law, and is supporting Burch, for
the Senate, who also voted for it. The same
paper Genounces Hatton for having taken the
Know Nothing oaths, and is supporting for
the Legislature, one Key, who took the same
oath; but afterwards won his way into de-
mocratc favor, BY an act Of t,eason. Such
an editor ought to be "bored for the sim
PIES" or cashiered for moral delinquency
Ciarksuille Chronicle.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF UrAH-We
learn, says the Charleston Courier, of yestcr.
day, from reliable authority, that General B.
Hopkins, of Jacksonville, Florida, has been
offered the appointment of Governor of Utah
territory. General Hopkins is known as a
famous Indian fighter, and if man Of reso-
luton and nerve is needed to deal with the
disciples of Joe Smith, it would, perhaps, be
difficult to fix on better choice.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19
WILLIAM HEISKELL.


PRENTICE as A LECTURER.-Ws preceive
that Geo. ID. Prentice, ESQ.,, has been lee
turing at Hartford, CT. His subject was
The Political Aspect of the Country The
Hartford Free Press gives the following rs O
passage Of the discourse:
THE nation is bristling all over with re
pngnaneies. Who shall arrest these evils!-
The race of statesmen, of giants, has depart
ed, and no successor appears. We have pub
lie men in abundance, but no statesmen
Three fourths of them are reckless dema-
gogues, who regard first themselves, and
then-nothing. Across the polished brass
of their souls not the most distant thought
of the good Of the country ever fits. There
is not enough moral courage in hundred
politicians to stiffen one upper lip. They
dare not stand up and say their souls are
their own, or If they do, they append sub
;eet to the Constitution and the Minority
Back boneless, they stand up like empty bags,
or basey PROSTATE themselves at the feet of
faction, instead of being leaders of the multi
tnde. They represent only the pot-house
and the club-room. Its easy 10 flatter our
national vanity, but the truth must be told.
The North and the South are piling up CON-
bustibles which the lightning may fire.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE meeting Of
citizens To night, to endorse the action Of tho
Mayor and President in the late riot, was
SHINY attended, in consequence OF the i'm
preston that the call for il was issued by q
few politicians for selfish purposes. Sc.
res of moderate resolutions were adopted
but none unanimously.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

ST. LOUIS, June l3.-Sir George Gore anu
Suite returned yesterday, having been a6sen,
3 years on hunting expedition to the new ea"
waters of the Missouri. They report That 'n0
country was never in a worse condition fe,
specting the Indians. The Santees ana
Sioux were committing atrocities agNlns'
the whites. Since the removal Of the troops
from Forts Cendale and Lookout the 10
dams in the neighborhood have assumeoS
hostile attitude. A party Of troops ha''
marched on the Saptees.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

e9- The extent Of the corn scarcity in
North Carolina, may be inferred from the fact
that the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad
Company will, until the LIST of October next,
transport over the Road all corn and proyis.
ions intended for delivery on the line Of the
North Carolina Railroad, west of the county
Of Johnston, at onehalf the rates establish.
ed by the present tariff of charges.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19
ES-The

R- The convention Of southern railroad
men recently assembled in Bristol (on the
line of Virginia and Tennesss-e) appointed
the Hon. William Ballard Preston commits
sioner to Europe, with q view of bringing
about, if practicable, direct trade between
European ports and the southern States, and
MIR. Preston has accepted the appointment.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

CINCINNATI June l3.--This forenoon wh'Ie
four of the U. s. Deputy Marsbas were az
resting a fugitive slave and his wife, The fo''
mer stabbed J. Z. Elliot, one of the Deputy
Marshals, with long sword, whereupo,n a,,
other Marshal shot the slave in the abdomen
four times. The negroes were then taken
into custody. The Marshal's wound IS .
dangerous one, and the negro's isthough'"
be mortal.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-19

DAILY MEssENGER-We acknowledge the
receipt of neatly printed and well filled
daily with the above title, from Montgomery,
the furnishing and handsome capital Of Ala
bama. p. b. IL. Britain, editor. Terms, So
per year, in ADVANCE