The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-09-28
Mr.. Bell and Disunion.
lE.o... Il,a Nall ...lls naanae

In their desperation, the Breckinridgers
are charging that John Bell, the Union
candidate, and the embodiment of the
Union sentiment of the country, is dis
unionist We have hardly thought that
such a charge was worthy of serious re-
rutal. 1t is so manifestly absurd and ri
diculous that no man of ordinary sense
can for q moment be misled by it.
Every disunionist and every sympathiz-
er with them will perhaps vote against
John Bell, who said in 1882, 81 am no
alarmist, but when reflect upon all see
and hear connected with this subject,
when l look to the growing distractions of
the country, feel myself justified in de-
signaling the sum of what | shall say upon
this question as a plea for the Union" In
the same speech he said. "what is the first
great care of an American statesman? To
preserve our free institutions. will not
so into an argument toshow that the only
effective mode of discharging this great
trust is to preserve and cherish tie Uaion."-
\ "But they cannot close their
eyes to the dangers which stare them in
the face, and they invoke, through me,
their brethren everywhere-ofev every quar-
ter of the country, of every party and of
every pursuit-to concede something to
this greatest common interest, tie safety Of
the Union"
Who said in 1850:
80, sir, if could dictate the course of
Congress in the pending difficulties, l
would say, let the adjustment be made in
the real spirit Of compromise, concession and
cancellations"
Vino said in 1856, in his letter to the
Knoxville Mass Meeting:
1t may be asked in what does the safety
OF the country consist? l answer: IN tie
preservation Of tie Union. In EVERY ASPECT
IN WHICH AN ABLE TO VIEW THE SUBJECT, |
REGARD THE DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION AS
THE DIREsT CALAMITY WHICH CAN DEFALL THE
PEoPLE-THE PEOPLE OF THE SoUTH AS WELL
AS OF THE NORTH. 1t is fashionable to state
some exceptions to the general truth.
am prepared to state none, within the
range OF probable events. l admit the
possible occurrence Of state of things, in
the operation of the Federal G Government,
which would be greater evil than the
destruction of the Union. 4 glaring ty-
ranny-an oppressive and persistent viola
ton OF plain and unqueslionabie consti.
tutional obligations, or similar dlsre.
gard OF constitutional limitations in the
practice OF the majority, on subjects OF
vital interest to the minority, would be u
virtual abrogation of the bonds Of Union
and justify II resort to revolutionary reme-
dies. use the terms, revolutionary remedies
in reference to the possible expressions of
o majority, in welding the Legislative and
| Executive powers oil the Government, be-
| cause | have no faith IN. the political
metaphysics Of those who seek to establish
a peaceful mode OF breaking up the Union,
by deducing from the Constitution IA right
Of secession in tie States. Iregard such a doc-
ti,.e as equaily unSouu,d, deiusire and mjSchicv-
ous. Delusve, because il can hare no efficiency
in precenting crii ,0ar; and miSchiecouS, because
il tends 10 miSiead and Seduce the people Of q
State into revolutionary measure for INSULT
cient cause, under tie false idea Of immupit,
from The ordinary hazard cfa revolt against an
| established Government.