The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-09-21
Who Ought to be Elected.

II tlllS tl1lOn Is W Dc ITescINc't-ph
constitutional Union, we mean, for no
other is worth preserving-it is not to be
done by advancing such men as Lincoln
on the one hand, or Breckenridge on the
other. Neither one of them Of himself
would, perhaps. be very dangerous; but
who would be their advisers, who would
form their cabinets in case of their ele-
vation, by whom would they be surround
ed? Why Mr. Lincoln would be in the
hands of such men as Seward, Chase,
Hale, Giddings, Wilson, Sumner, &C.
These would be the men who would con-
troll him, for these are the men who are
trying to elevate him to power. lie
would be in their hands, and they would
be the master spirits of his administra-
ton.
And, on the other hand, by whom
would Breckenridge be surrounded?-
Why, evidently, by nearly, all the disun-
ionists of the land, for they are the men
who are trying to elect him. Perturbed
spirits; reckless uneasy men; who are
seeking change; ambitious men, who are
apt to think that the government was
formed for their especial benefit; and are
not contented because all the offices, all
the high places, all the power, are not in
their hands.
These are not the men to carry on the
government properly. They represent
extreme factions in the Union, and the
election of either, therefore, would set
tie nothing but would rather unscttle
everything.
What we want at the head of the gov
ernment is calm, consideratc, mature
experienced statesman. One who can
command the confidence Of the whole
people, North and South, East and West.
| Who has seen and understands the prac-
tical working of the government for years.
| That Mr. Bell is such man is evident,
for he is the second choice of everybody
except those who want to break up the
governments: and that is the best evil
dence that he ought to be the first choice
of everybody Mr.. Bell has been in pub
lie life for II quarter Of century. lie
was the cotcmporary Of such men as
Clay. and Calhoun, and Webster, and
jackson. lie has age, and experience
on his side. His integrity is unimpeach-
able. His record is pure and spotless;
and his election would, Notwithstanding
the opposition to him, satisfy everybody,
except those extreme men, North and
South, who want to break up the govern
ment. There is wisdom, then, in pursu-
J ing middle course, and in clectng man
who would produce the greatest amount
of satisfaction; who would settle the
minds of the people; calm down the
great questions which are now agitating
the country, and do equal and exact JUS
tice to all sections. John Bell is that
man.
And these considerations are influcnc-
ing men everywhere. They are potert
for good and are daily producing THEN
effect. But why cannot there be unanim'
! lly III tHlS llutlcI. why 'diiiiOl an ~
together, and present an undivided front
against the black republicans? We think
we ought to do so, and concentrate on
John Bell, for who, of all the candidates
now in the field is so fit a successor Of the
old line of Presidents who formed, and
cemented, and carried on the govern,
ment in its better and purer days!
THE STRUGGLE Is BETWEEN BELL AMI
LINCoLN.-We learn from the San Anto.
MO (Texas) Alamo Express, that Col VIII
cox, who, it will be recollected, says the
n. o. Bulletin, some months ago passed
through this city on his way to the North
to advance the cause of Gen. Houston to
the Presidency, and who addressed oui
citizens at Odd Fellows Hall, has return.
ed from his tour, and that he reports the
Presidential struggle to be between Bell
and Lincoln. Col. Wilcox is distin.
guished Democrat, and formerly q mem
Der of Congress from Mississippi. He
would not therefore be likely to repre-
sent the cause of Bell in light not war.
ranted by the facts. He had good oppor
tunities for knowing, and he gives it his
decided opinion that tie struggle is Jetwee'
Bell and Lincoln, Let patriots, North and
South, choose between them.