The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-09-10
A CAPITAL ARTICLE.

We copy the following capital article from
,be PauIding (AIiss) Clarion, the largest
Democratic paper in that State:
Fanaiieism North and Soulh.-There can
moi be doubt that II the South is ever com
nslled TO resort to revolution for the prcser-
yation of her political rights, the event will
he in no small degree due TO the intemperance
and folly of many who assume to be the Pc
cular opponents of her opinions aud the
most Jealous champions of her cause. Alb
olitionism receives no such Strengthening
oliment as that which it derives from the
South itself-from the violent language and
continual clamor against everything North
eru. which q certain class of politicians at the
South make it their daily business TO in
dulpe. The fanatics of one section are, I'M
intentionally, perhaps, but yet really, the CO.
adiutors to the other. What is said by
i,iddinps and Garrison at the North, is re-
heated by the extremists of the South as a
correct expression of Northern sentiment
What is said by the extremists here in their
newspaper editorials, their speeches in Con-
press aud on the hastings. is carried to the
North, reprinted by the Abolitionists and
circulated by the million 10 prove the AFRO
gance Of slave power, and to arouse such
sentiments among the Northern people as
will naturally enough arise at finding the
whole people of their section denounced as
hypocrites, fanatics and traitors, and the
stale Of society in which they live character
lied as immoral and corrupt. Ill blood has
been engendered between the two sections
of the two cOnfederacy, through the agency
of men who are not correct opponents OF the
interests or feelings of either, which il taxes
the efforts and skill Of the sensible, -easona-
able and conservative men North and South
to prevent from boiling over, aud resulting
in the destruction of our federatlve system
and the subvrrson of the Constitution franz
ed BY tho fathers the Republic. II the slave
~ question had never been allowed 10 min
gle in eectons--f demagogues could never
have taken it up rs hobby upon which to
ride into notce-if its management could
have been entrusted to the conservative, pa
iriotic statesmen of both sections, il might
have been settled without creating more than
ripple upon the sea Of popular opinion and
feeling, and without the least danger to the
Constitution or the Union. But demagogu-
ism is an incident of popular Institutions
Nothing is too sacred for its unhallowed
touch-no thought of consequences restraints
the men who resort to il rs n means of bring
ing themselves into notice, and securing n
distinction which they could never acquire
on the score of intrinsic moral or intelectu-
al merit What cares an ambitious aspirant
for Congressional h0nors whether he delude
or correct the opinions of the populace on
questions of sectional nature, so that he
secure his own seat in Congress, ard entite
himself to the name and the pay of mem
Der of that body. What difference does it
make with an editor who expects TO popular
ize his paper BY affecting peculiar devotion
to Southern rights and interests whether
there be any truth in what he says or not, so
that he infame hatred against the North, and
convince everybody that he is the only ed
itOr in his locality who is entitled to be con-
sidered the champion of the South! We
tell our readers, and we weigh the words rs
we write, that Southern ultraist, under
present circumstances, is as dangerous to the
peace of the country and the perpetuty of
Union as Northern Aboltionst.
True as gospel, says the New Orleans Bull
letin, and substantially the sentiments we
have all along held, and the truths OF which
e'S'f u"l Jul tciiu tuc hioiS
strongly TO confirm. Let the people, the
true, loyal, patriotic people of the South put
the stamp of reprobation upon the dema-
gogues md fanatics in their midst, as they
value The safety and prosperity, unity and
glory of the country.
Such articles as the above from the Clari-
on, are by no means unfrequent of late in
Democratic papers Of the highest tone and
extended influence. They are significant for
good, They show that the conservatives of
the party see necessity of checking the ul-
trAism that has been apparent in it for some
years past, and we cannot doubt that these
common sense appeals of the more respect
table, leading presses Of that party will meet
with warm, decided response from the
great mass of the intelligent and patriotic in
1t who achieves its victories.
II is really refreshing to read such articles
from Democratic quarters, sar there they are
the more needed, and there they will do
good.