The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-10-04
Communicated for the Post.1
Have We Al 0overnuieYitP


had Their fninds 20 pcisened akSinst tie
policy of setting up new government,
that they seem now. unable TO realize the
fact that the Federal Government has 40.
tually been displaced, and new ore sub.
stituted. They were willing to hazard
their lives in levying wal q gainst the Com
fedcrate states, and SO they enrolled and
organized troops N nearly every county.
Gen. Zollicoffer came with an army to
meet the issue Of favor thus rendered by
the Union" party. lie arrested many
captains aad common soldiers, but, not
wishing to hold them long, he sent for
Judge Humphreys, who is empowered to
hold the Confederate Court at any time
and place in Tennessee. The prisoners
were brought up on variants for hearing.
The captains and those mos, obviously
guilty are held over for Indictment A
grand jury will be empunnelled at NASH
vile, and trials will he had. This govern
inent eau make war and administer the
law, MS these prisoners know. We have
maintained the same form Of government,
and only lave new statutes for new, cases
and conditions brought about BY the
change. Our people should respect this
constitution and government as we once
did the old one. No other is in force
offenders will be treated, here, as they
were in the United States What then
was the old ldw about leyying WARP jus
rice Greer said 1T is not necessary to
prove that the individual accused, was
direct, personal actor in the violence. If
he was present, directing, aiding, aJotting,
'oounsellirg, or coun tenancing it, he is in
law guilty Of the forcible act. Nor is even
ibis personal presence Indispensable
Though he be absent at the time Of its 40
tual preparation, yet If he directed the
act, devised or knowingly furnished the
means, for carrying it into effect, instisnt-
ing others to perform it, he shares their
guilt. In treason there are no accessories.
1. There has boen, fear, an erroneous inn
preston on this subject among portion
Of our people. If it has been thought safe,
to counsel and instigate others to acts of
forcible oppugnation to the provisions of
a statute--to iniame the minds Of the ig-
noraut, 10y appeals to passion. and denun-
ciations of'the law as oppressive, unjust,
revolving to the conscience, and not bind
ing onitlse- sections Of men---to represent
tie constellation Of the land rs compact
of iniquity, whicllit were meritorious to
violate er subyest--the mistake has been
sgrievous one; and they who have fallen
into it may rejoice, II pcradventure their
appeals and theie counselsu have been
hitherto without effect. The supremacy
of the, Constitution, in all its provisions, is
at the very basis of our existence, as ma
ton. He.whose conscience or whose
theories Of political or individual right
forbid him to support and maintain it in
its fullest integrity, may relieve himself
from the duties of citizenship, by divesting
himself of its rights. But while he re-
mains within our borders, he is to remen,-
Der, that successfully to instigats treason,
is to commit it," -..t 81 40
% This was said in reference to the resis-
lance to the Fugitive Slave Law, made in
1851, in Pennsylvania, by which, and 9TH
or lawless and arbitrary proceedings. they
of the North broke up the old govern
ment. 't..u .u.r. A. l.I
Now every Judge and officer is bound
to hold and treat the Confederate Consti.
tuition as the law of the land. At the late
term of the Supreme Court at Knoxville,
Hon. L. II. Ewing presented his commits
sion as pro tem Judge. and Judge McKin.
ney swore him to support this Constitu-
ton, as a matter of course, and without
asking questions. Every new officer will
take it, or he would be indictable for as.
Stunning to act without it. The Legislature
will prescribe it to every officer in the
State in less th,n month from this time.
The revolution would be incomplete with.
out this. The Union" party is therefore
dead. The old Union" party was found.
ed alone upon the sentiment of allegiance
TO the United States. BY the election Of
the Sth of June our allegiance was trans.
fered. Now sach party could only exist
by organized hesility to the Confederate
States, and as that is reasonable and is
being punished in SO many, instance,
around us. prudence and patriotism would
seem torequire reputation of q "Union'
party. We are citizens of the Confederate
States. Disloyalty in war is the. highest
because the most dangerous, of all often
ces. The man is entitled to the creates
respect who swears to support this gov
ernment, especially if he has been misin
formed or laisled as to the right and pro
priety of resistance. No man will censur,
another for taking this oath, unless he il
traitor himself, seeking to inaugural,
war and bloodshed in our midst. If oul
office holders do not intend to cooperate
with our enemies, they ought to avail
themselves of the first opportunity to tax,
this oath, and do it cheerfully. If they
hold back, hoping that Federal armie
viii come to them, and thus save thei
consciences, they only prove their con
sciences to be evil; and they may rest as
,sured their sins win find them out. he
member Ae,t fate of those who sinned in the Rev
dictionary Kwl bsahsN mrs3s
-HAlreminisen ce of our history occurs jus
here, Our fathers were not very kline
towards their internal enemies in that da,
of trials and dlpsefA IS the followin,
court recordshows HOS 46oG