The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-09-28
A Calm Statement.

of the claims Of the country upon parties
of every name is worthy of the attention
of every candid man:
To THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The undersigned, the Central Executive
Committee of the Union party of the State
of Tennessee, deem it proper, under ex-
isting circumstances, to address a few con-
sderations to their rethren Of the United
States, especially those of the Northern
States, founded upon the current progress
OF the Presidential canvass.
From the results OF the recent elections,
from all the information which, from their
position, they have been able to obtain
from every indication, indeed, they are
satisfied that Bell and Everett will receive
the electoral votes of a very large majority
of the Southern States. Nothing, as it
seems to them, short of some powerful and
unforeseen reaction can disappoint this eX-
pectation. In view of such "a result, it be-
comes a matter of gravest momcnt to con-
servative Union men in the North, Of all
shades of opinion, to consider whether it
is not their duty at once to close up in
solid column. and, by adopting this ticket,
put an endSo the struggle. This they
could do, under the banner Of the Constr
tuition, without any compromise OF loyalty
to party, and save the country from dis
cord, from the hazard of sectional ascen-
dency, and perhaps from civil war. If all
the men in the North, who love the Union
and the peace of the country more than
party. would at once give their co-opera-
ton TO the friends OF Bell and Everett i'll
| the South, there Is not u doubt but they
would be trlumphantly elected by the
electoral colleges. Under ordinary Cir
cumstances, such even partial sacrifice oil
party interests and party devotion could
not be expected, nor would it be asked.
| But the present is unlike any contest in
the whole history of the Republic. Never
before was the spirit OF sectionalism in the
North and the south so strong, SO threat
ening, and 50 utterly intolerant. There
can he no truce or peace between the ex-
tremes. They are powerful for mischief,
but Iinpotent for good. 10 check either
or both, the Government must pass into
the hands of those who are governed by
| more moderate and national counsels.
No doubt thousands OF good men ut the
| North have been upon balance as be-
| tween II choice OF evils. They have hesi-
| tateu which side to take III the war OF the
sections; they have seen no available Md
die ground; they have been ready ior
| compromise ana conclilatlon, and ionged
lor peace and harmony, but have looked
| IN VAIN iOr the mettls o! their attainment;
| they have Ieit that Tie election OF Mr..
| Lincoln would be regarded as an insult
I by the South; that the election OF Mr..
BreckinrIdge would but increase the Ia
natlc Jury vi the North; and that the cleo
llon OF Mr.. Douglas would not give salts
faction to the country. 1t Is to these, es-
peclally, that an appeal Is now made. Is
1t not true that Mr.. Lincoln is II sectional
candidate, and that the doctrines OF his
party are repeiled unanimously repelled,
10y the South? Must lie not be elected,
ii vt all, wholly by the North, and Will
not the division into geographical puities,
so much deprecated by the Father OF his
Country, be then complete? In such an
event 1t is in VAIN to nope that Mr.. Lin
coin will have any support from the South.
BY none will his administration be more
than tolerated. If his rule should be ac.
quiesced in, it will be with sullen bitter
ness prognostic Of future evil. And how
would it be at the North should Mr.. Breck.
inridge be elected upon the platform pro.
pounded by his followers? Would the wal
be at an endY The Northern sectional
party would but feel the eager thirst tol
renewed conflict, consequent upon tenn
porary overthrow. They would find con-
tinuous nutriment in the action and ex
ultation Of their opponents. They would
sustain themselves, and even grow, by ap
peals to their Northern breathern upon
event, the evil day would be only post
poned, if postponement were indeed
possible.
But there is good reason to believe that
an available middle ground has now been
found. That which first appeared as q
mustard seed is now becoming great
tree; that which first appeared as the
cloud OF the prophet, no bigger than q
mans hand, is now covering the whole
Southern heaven. The names of Bell ano
Everett have become tower OF strength
to which thousands are tiocking for ref
uge. In their election there would be 6
truce to sectional warfare, and peace might
be expected once more to smile over
now distracted and divided country
Those of the South who are supporting
the Union ticket are doing SO upol
grounds above all sectionalsm, and thou
sanGs will rally TO it who have ever differ
ed from Mr.. Bell on party grounds, anc
who still differ with him upon many ques
tions of national policy. They feel tina
the Union is in imminent peril, and tina
all minor considerations should be sacri
feed to Its security. The undersigned
expressing their own opinions and th'
opinions OF all thoughtful and considerat'
men in the South, believe that the UnioI
is in imminent peril, and they believ'
that, with the aid of the conservative mel
,, of the North, this peril may be averted.-
The South waves to the North the olive
branch OF peace. She asks to be met oil
,, national grounds. Let the Nolth and tn
South, i'll spite OF the extremes, proclaim
"The Truce OF God" and may it be fol
: lowed by peace that shall be everlasting
EDWIN Ii. EWING, Chairman.
: NEIL S. BROWN,
JOHN II. CALENDER,
ALLEN A. HALL,
JOHN LELLYETr,
, HORACE Ii. HARRISON.
r NASHVILLE, Sept. 9TH, 1860.
= SHANE AND DIsGRAcE.-The Athens Ga
S Watchman says: San intelligent Demo
a cratic lawyer who Is supporting Breckir