The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-12-21
County Meeting,

large number of the citizcus of Rhca comfy
of all political parties, assembled at the Court
house in Washington, on Saturday the 18th inst
Ga motion of james A. Wallace. Esq, DIR. JONI
W. TuoMps0N was called to the Chair and w. E.
CoLvIILE requested TO act as Secretary.
The Chairman then explained the object of the
meeting in few brief and appropriate remarks.
On motion, the following named gentlemen were
appointed by the Chairman, AZ n Committee to
draft resolutions for the consideration of the
meeting, to wit: A. w. Frazier, Jas. A. Wallace,
S. j. Frazier, Franklin Lock. Jas. A. Darwin, W.
I. Gass. r. n. Gillespie and W. L. Colvillc--who.
after retiring for short time, returned and re-
ported tho following preamble and resolutions,
to wit:
WHEREAS, In consideration Of the great excite
mcnt that pcrvudes the whole country. and threat
ems the Union of these States with certain dcstruc-
ton, we consider it duty to declare our attach
mcnt to the present form of government as the
best ever devised by man, and our hostility to all
measures tending TO overthrow or destroy it
therefore,
Reso,ced, That the election of Lincoln is not n
sufficient cause for dissolution of the Union, and
that however much may deplorc it, yet. as it
was in accordance with the Constitution, We will
abide by and submit to his administration so long
as it is just and equal to all.
Rcspiced, That we favor and will contend for
the Constitution as it is-the Union transmitted
to us by orr sres, they intended it should be,
and the execution of the laws cxpoundcd and
interpreted by the Supreme Court; and being i'm
pressed with the belief that in this we are right,
declare that nothing less will satisfy us.
ResDiccd, That when our rights trampled
upon, or disrc -ardcd by the Executive power of
tho Government, that our safest and mo 81 cilectual
remedy lies in the Constitutional power of i'm
parchment, and not in withdrawal from the
Union.
Rcso'red, That those States which have nulfed
the Fugitive Slave Law have violated plain pro-
vision of the Constitution; have attempted to de-
feat one Of the great objects of Government,
namely, the protection and security of property,
and have been guilty OF treason to the General
Government, and have greatly impaired the rights
of the South; but that we believe our remedy to
be within the Union and not by secession from it.
But when we have asserted our rights, and cx-
| hausted all our Constitutional remedies without
| redress, and there is no other hope within the
| Union, then, as u last resort, may revolution be
justifablc.
Resoired That the course of South Carolina
has been hasty and precipitate and uni just to heI
sister States in desiring TO forsake them in theii
| hour of danger and thus leave them with dimin-
ished forces to resist the aggressive spirit oil
| Northern fanatics.
| Resolred, That VIC freely endorse that portion
of President Buchanans message relating to dis
union and secession, and tho remedies proposed
| by him for existing evils.
|
tho Legislature of the State of Tennessee to us,
| their utmost excrtions TO oau n CONVENTION or TIN
| Southern States, for the purpose of devising SOM
means of rcnedyng the wrongs of the South, an'
of allaying the excitement that at present dis
tracts aud divides our country. ID.
| fesoired, That the proceedings of this meeting
| be published in the Athens Post, Cleveland Ban
ner, Chattanooga Advertiser and the Gazette.
On motion, the vote was taken upon the rcsolu
tons separately, when the I'd. 4th, 9th and ST.
were unanimously adopted the LIST, Sd and III
had each one vote against them, and the 9th ha'
three nays. The resolutions were then voted TO
as a whole with but one dissenting voice.
During the absence of the Committee, the meet
ing was addressed by the Rev. G. A. Caldwell, o
Athens in able interesting and patriotic speech
After reading the report of Committee, addresse
were delivered by Rev. ]. W. Thompson, Rev. I
II. McCallie of Chattanooga, Col. W. It. Gass
Rev. 0. Bean, s. J. Frazier and Jas. A. Wallace
| Esqs.
Meeting then adjourned.
JOHN w. THOMPSON, Chm.
| w. Z. CoLvILLE, Se.'y.