The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-10-21

TcSlutIltItl
In this important view of the subject we
have already indicated the proper line of
action. Nobody can expect these South
ern opposition men to enter into any coa-
liton with the democratic side of the
House. Nor can it be supposed that they
will capitulate to the republicans as a sim
pie matter of choice between two evils
These Southern opposition members are
the representatives of q Presidential party
and Presidential movement Upon
something analogous to the national plat
form Of the old wing party, they would be
the natural allies of the opposition cle-
mcnts of the North. They have been
separated by the slavery agitation. Re-
move this obstruction, and these broken
fragments will be reunited. The Southern
opposition fragment, weak in itself and
for itself, is yet strong as national bal
ance of power. From its local weakness
it desires reunion with he North; from
its national importance it has the right to
demand some concessions. And as the
concessions which it asks will have to be
made by the republican party to secure,
in 1860 the vote of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, we see no reason why these con-
cessions should not enter into the practi-
cal business of the organization of the
coming Congress.
We may safely assume that, for some
days and nights at Washington before the
momentous first Monday in December
next, there will be some caucuses and
caucusing of each of the several parties
and factions of the House. The republi-
cans, the plurality party, will probably
first proceed to take their soundings for
the plurality rule, which would give them
the undivided control of the organization,
officers and spols. 10 cut Oft this game
Of the Seward managers, it will be well for
the Southern opposition members to be
early on the ground with their overtures
to tho republicans, including the Speaker,
Clerk, Printer and other. House officers,
all well considered and well adapted for
the basis of a coalition. Thus, from the
necessities of their position, and from the
iiumetliate ,anI :. J9snSpaGtixe, I'D vantaq yes
| publican members of Congress in Decem-
Der next may be induced to abandon w.
| ii. Seward and his ''irrepressible conflict"
with the South, for Northern and South
ern opposition alliance upon a practical
and irresistible national PLATFORM
In this connection, the greatest danger
to be apprehended by the Southern oppo-
sition party is the plurality rule; but this
they may ward off by the superior advan-
tages OF powerful majority COALITION
The responsibility first belongs to these
Southern opposition members. We be-
lleve they can effect the ends proposed
We think they can arrange the organiza-
ton of the House upon terms which will
open to them the doors of the Republican
National Convention Of 1860 and thus
give them the power to organize nation
al Presidential movement which will make
either Bates, of Missouri, Crittenden, of
Kentucky, or Bell, of Tennessee, as ac-
ceptablc to the republican party as Banks,
Chase or Fremont.
For all practical purposes we may set
down the anti-Lecompton democratic fac
ton of the House as good for nothing to
either side 1t cannot help the democrats,
and it cannot afford to support the repub-
licans. The balance OF power, competent
to command an overwhelming majority
upon all practical questions, as between
the opposition and the democracy, be-
longs to the Southern opposition mem
bers. With the coalition suggested they
will rise into distinction and strength; but
with the adoption of the plurality rule
they will sink into comparative insignifi-
canoe. Let them look well, therefore, to
their responsibilities for in the 'organiza-
ton of the House they may win or lose
the Presidential election and the shaping
of the party in power for the next quarter
OF century.