The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-07-22

and measure Of ability above rnediocrity.
We have detfacted nothing nom his char
acter as hisll-toned and chivahous gem
tleman, and do not intend to. But we
have ovcrcstirpated his powers and abili-
ties as a statesman. We have been
deceived both in his knowledge Of the
principles of Government, and the com
prchensiyeness Of his views IN respect to
their practical application and operation.
A more careful review OF his career, shows
thatwe have committed an error in ascrfb-'
ing to him any Of those exalted qualities
which mark the true Salesman and dis
tinguish him from the politician. The
two characters are aIn oftasholly diverse
It-aost generally hsppens, especially Of
late years, that the politician is seminently
successful in his own advancement, and
but little so in promoting the great inter-
ests of the commonwealth, while the pro-
found statesman is more distinguished by
what he accomplishes for the State, than
for what he achieves for himself The
fame and the glory of the latter is purely
incidental; it lives after he dies, and hal
lows his memory in the hearts Of his
conntIymen. That of the former is di-
rectly personal, and dies when he dies.
The one is faime-the other, notoriety.
i The one looks to the future as it's APP
preached through the pathway of the
present-the other hassbut single eye,
and that beams exclusively ON the present,
regardless of the future. Usually the
statesman is deficient in the attributes of
the politician--almost always the poll
tician is deficient in the attributes of the
statesman. Both are endowed with abili-
ties, but vastly differentin their order.
Gov. Harris is pre-eminentlya politician.
In the Legislature and in Congress his ca
reer is is singularly barren. He has been
content to fall into the lines of safe party
precedents, and follow in the lead of
others at cautious and safe distance.
He has never, within our knowledge,
originated measure Of principle or been
the leading champion of q measure of
policy. All his acts in these fields seem
to have been prompted by prudent re-
gaad for the interests Of number one. He
has exhibited a never-varying watchful-
ness to keephis own skirts clear, whatever
might happen. His achievements are all
negative. His merit, such as it is, consists
not in doing any great good, but in not
not doing any great harm. lie never
committed great blunder, because he
never risked the responsibility of attempt
ing an act of great wisdom. The track he
has pursued is well-beaten one-and hc
has encountered nothing outside of it.
In his canvass two years ago for the seat
he now occupies, he displayed "a shrewd
ness in debate which proved formidable
and perhaps rendered him successful
though in reality we esteem his competition
in that race as his superior in the higher
E powers of argument. As Governor, fol
the past two years, he has not improved
upon his course as legislator. His in
, augural and messages are eminently com
mon-place. There is nothing to be founC
in either above the milk-and-cider states
manship Of the newspapers. He followed
at respectful distance, in the footsteps
of his immediate predecessor on the sub
ect of the currency-reiterated some 0
the hackneyed tenets Of the party whicl
had elevated him to place-and the re
mainder of his acts could have almos
, been performed by an automaton. Hi
> friends state, in. most felicitous phrase
that his political adversaries canr t poin
, to single objectionable act Cha. ne ha
, performed But they fail to recount an,
4 official act which, either now or hereafter
: will live to make his name admired.
a But his present canvass for recollection
Q has brought out, in still bolder relief hi
4 distinguished traits. II has served I,
establish fully his lack of those high quail
I ties which belong 10 the statesman. TAX
: his speech, as delivered in this city at th
|. outset, which has been Substantially re
. peated ever since, hatis it2 On tn
! slavery question it is AN elaborate euloe,
of the enational Democracy" and a Ia
: bored effort to prove that his adyersarie
! in Tennessee are in league with the abe
/. litionists. Now, he knows that the Demo
I cratic party differ ON the proper rule 70
the government q the Territories in re
e spect to slavery. Ie has learned, fror
u aVonts occurrin,, within the last two wear,