The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-10-05
The Mass Meeting at Knoxville.

nv hnoxVilie ihst week was one OF the
largest and, altogether, the most extraor-
binary and interesting political gatherings
we have ever witnessed. Interesting in
the number and ability Of the speakers,
=-extraofdinary in the deep and earnest
attention of the masses TO the issues dis
cussed, and in the absence Of that noisy
and meaningless rant and enthusiasm cha
ractcristic of popular assemblages. 1t is
evident the people are fully aroused to
the great and solemn fact that the con-
test to be decided in November involves
the safety of the government and the
permanency of the Union, and that they
nre ready and resolved for the duty to be
met and performed.
The crowd commenced gathering on
Wednesday; and on Wednesday night an
immense assemblage appeared in front of
the Courthouse, where they were adj
dressed for an hour and three quarters by
Hon. z. b. VANCE, of North Carolina. Mr..
Vance is quite ayoung looking man, but
soon convinced his audience that he was
familiar with the game, and knew exactly
what was trumps. Indeed, he is trump
himself, and leading one at that.
On Thursday morning the people pour
ed in from every direction, and by 10
o'clock it seemed to us that about all the
world, with his wife and the rest of the
family, was present. a procession being
formed, the immense throng moved to
Methodist Hill, where stand had been
prepared by the Committee, and beauti-
fully decorated by the fair hands of the
patriotic, Union-loving ladies of Knox
vile. Al ii o'clock, the Hon. Ben. II.
HILL of Georgia, was introduced, and
made the best and most effective talk we
ever heard from any man. We mean ex-
actly what we say. 1t was just such an
effort as was expected of one who cor
rectly comprehended the occasion and
the work to be done:-full, pointed, solid,
and every sentence replete with good
sense. There was no attempt at display.
no bursts of imprisoned oratory; but plain
unvarnished facts and impregnable argu-
ments, arrayed and enforced with an ear
nestness and power characteristic of the
honesty and sincerity of the man and the
patriot. In behalf of the cause for which
we are an humble laborer, we thank Mr..
Hill for his work at Knoxville on the 9th.
After Mr.. Hill. Gen. LESLIE COMBS, the
old Kentucky war-horse, was introduced
and spoke for an hour and half. lie
was by turns eloquent and humorous
He read manuscript letter from Mr..
Clay, written short time before his DEATH
predicting the unhappy state of things
that now exist, and warning, with his ex-
piring strength, his countrymen against
the Vaccinations to destroy the Republic.
1t was the voice of the Mighty Dead,
speaking through the living associate, to
stand by the Union and the institutions
for which he had toiled out his noble life.
If there was one who heard that letter
read, or who listened to the patriotic APP
peals of the speaker, unmoved, from the
bottom of our heart we pity such an one.
Gen. Combs, as speaker, retains all the
vigor and fire of earlier days. We couldn't
do him justice if we were to try. He is
one of the "Old Guard" covered all over
with honorable scars, and we can only say,
God bless and long preserve him to bat
tie, as he has always DONE in the field and
at the forum, everywhere and on all oc-
casions, for his country, the Constitution,
the Union, and the enforcement of the
Laws.
When Gen. Combs concluded, JOHN F.
HOUSE, Esq, of Middle Tennessee, was
and for an hour and a half
the attention of the crowd. 1t
was one of the best speeches of the can
vass, and showed that the high reputation
Mr.. House enjoys as speaker has been
fairly won. The audience attested their
appreciation by repeated bursts of ap-
plause.
At night, Mr.. Vance again spoke to
large assemblage in front of the Court
house. He ranks among the best popular
speakers of the country; and if he could
be induced to vary his remarks with an
occasional anecdote, would be unapproach-
able. Mr.. Vance was followed by joseph
7. Campbell, of Virginia, A. S. Colyer, of
w. Y. C. Humes and Moses
White, of Memphis, and others-neither
Of whom We had the pleasure of hearing.
The transparencies, torchlight process
sion, &C., were in admirable order and
and we close our imperfect
sketch with the remark that, altogether,
the Knoxville Mass Meeting, on the 9th
September, 1860, was the most perfect
success we ever witnessed.
Bag The South complains, and Justly
too, that the Fugitive Slave Law is not
always executed faithfully. But why is it
not exc cuted? 1t is the sworn duty of the
President of the United States to see that
the laws are all executed. That's what he
is elected for. The troops, army and ma
Wy, when necessary are at his disposal to
sustain and enforce the laws. Why then
is not the Fugitive Slave Law rigidly en-
forced? Simply because the President of
the United States is President of rarig, |
and not of the people, and faithful ex-
ecution of the laws in certain cases might |
interfere with party interests and .jeopar-
lie party success. The fault is not in the |
of the laws, but in want of
nerve and firmness in the Executive Off
ser, and in the fact that Party has be-
,ome the great one-idea with the men
Who have had control of the government
OR tho lnst iuo.,t, Hama INLn,, Al. 1. 49,.