The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-01-27
Revolutionists and Traitors Re-
buked,


The Rev. br. Hawks, Of Cavalry Church
preached on Thanksgiving morning a,
excellent and et5qaent address on Amer
ican Patriotism. We commend TIL,
following extract to the Abolition writer's
Are there none who openly condemn
the Constitution of their countfy--nonc
who, by the exercise of corruption that
scarcely has shame enough to keep itsel
out OF sight, pervert it from its plain de
clarations and legitimate interpretations
Are there none who have been willing
and ready to convert executive powers
INTO judicial, and legislative into execu.
tive? And how speak some men now OF
that Union, of which our fathers Caught
by revolutionary experience) thought so
much? They had purchased it for their
Nchildren with their blood =, S2.'>- >, rin~-'
owed from Northesis. o. Sugar;
~ i alike; st fhadeOne vt,aglll1nA
upon the battle field; they knew that
upon union alone depended strong,
proud, national existence. Do all their
sons adhere to this opinion of their faith
ers; OF 10 they trapple on their mem.
ories, and despise their Wisdom Let
facts answer. What means the ahgry
and insulting langage of portions of the
press both North ana South toward each
other9 Why do hippant sheers and
taunting insinuations, and insidious af-
fections of candor, and false assertions.
and vulgar vituperation, form so much
of the editorial staple of certain prints?-
Is it thought to show skill of intellectual
gladiatorship? Whether it be quite as
clever writing as its authors suppose may
perhaps admit of doubt but grant that
it is, the sober American who has no per-
sonal vahity of authorship Involved, may
well ask whether it is either patriotic or
wise, thus to furnish fuel to the flame of
mutual evaporation already burning,
alas too brightly or to sacrifice the in
terests and happiness of our country to the
qualification of SOME authors wish to at
tain celebrity as the writer of ihsulting
sneers and trenchant irony.
Our country is surely worth moro to us
than the qualification of the personal van
lty of any man, and while it is cheerfiliy
conceded that the press should be free,
and may ofen furnish information and
instruction to the public mind vet it
would be hard to show ally lawful power
it possesses to assume over it dictation or
control. The mode of saying may be of.
ten more offensive than that which is
said; and there is mode which does not
conduce to Union, because its tendency
is to destroy fraternal feeling. II any
american cHi=en wishes 10 be wuhom a country
that can command tie respect Of the ciriAi-ed
uorhi, let Ian contribute his aid 10 disSolce lie
Union Of these United .States. In the full
fillment of his unpatrotic purpose he will
find his punishment, for he will have
ruined himself. He will be crushed and
bruised under the editice he has assisted
to undermine. Our country is exempted
at least for the presently from the intes-
the convulsions Of revolution,-howlong
it may be before opposing hosts may be
marshalled oh the field of carriage de-
apends, urder God, on thf calmnesS, the
courage, the prudence and the patriotism
Of the wise, the thoughtful and the good
men of all parties of the Union, who love
their country better than they do any
party, and who have the sense to appre.
ciate its value to the world and to them.
selves.