The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-08-17
The Union.

4 & The effect of Lincoln's election upon
the country is thus portrayed by one of
the ablest and most conservative journals
of the South.--the Savannah Republican.
Let it be read by Union men, by Demo-
Gratis, and by all good citizens who wish
well to the country:
Whatever we may Niak about disunion,
uoRaan kno,os what will be the immediate
ofFthe ultimate result of it; and there
fore wisdom, prudence, common sense,
interest and patriotism all unite to urge
us to preserve the Union of the States, so
long as neither our Constitutional rights,
our interests nor our 1Ioifor are Invaded.
Will any reasonable man say that there
is now any existing, sufficient Just cause.
why we should dissolve the Union, and
risk the hazard of the consequences |?
Surely not. We do not regard the cleo
ton of Lincoln such cause nor do we be-
lieve q majority of the Southern people,
could the question he left to them, would
consent to make the momentous expert
ment, big with the fate Of millions of
people and of treasure. But we are salts
fled that the arrangements have already
been consummated for attempting disso.
luton, should ainceln be elected, con-
1rary to the wishes of the people; and
we feel satisfied also that the attempt will
be successful, whenever made. Let Lin
coin be elected next November, and be-
tween that time and March, we shall see
cotton at five cents, negroes at five hun
dued dollars, railroad, bank and all other
stocks, North and South, down among
the dead men, business destroyed, oredi-
tors unable to collect their dues, and
debtors ruined, and every thing COM
p.etely disorganized. Who wishes TO see
such effects? Surely nobody, except q
few reckless and dangerous politicians.
1t becomes then the imperative duty of
every patriot Of the land, TO labor to pre-
vent Lincoln's election, and to avert such
dreadful consequences as will, in all hui
man probability, flow from it.
But how are we to work? In the North,
n sectional, aggressive, revolutionary,
minority party, which cannot poll one
third Of the popular vote, is marching
steadily to dominion, and that solely be-
cause the elements Of opposition to it are
not concentrated. 1t is patent to all
men that the Southern vote can not de-
feat Lincoln; but the South can still aid
in the good work, if we will speedily and
judiciously 60 to work to crush the sec
tlOnallsW III our OWL nluSt, tluS strength
ening the hands of the conservatives of
the North in their desperate struggle with
the Republican monster. 1t is clear that
the Breckenridge movement is now the
only serious obstacle to the route of Lin
coin; and it is equally clear that Douglas
stands the only chance of beating the
enemy. Patriotism requires that all con.
servatives of the North should aid direct
ly or indirectly.
Other questions of difference sink into
insignifcance beside the great issue now
pressing for solution" Shall we preserve
the Union and the Constitution as they
are?" That is the issue of this contest,
and we thank God that the Bell men of
the North have conquered prejudice, and
are working to attain the great end.
At the South, it would seem to be both
the policy and the duty of the Douglas
men to aid John Bell, in whatever man.
ner may to themselves seem most effee-
tual. The Douglasites are beleagured on
every hand by q rebel faction actuated
by no principle. seeking no good, but in
tent on the life-blood of their chief,
whom they call so fiippantiy traitor, rene
gade, free-soiler and abolitionist, and ap-
plying the same epithets to his supporters.