The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-15
Letter from Hon. B. II. Hill.

Prom the Augusta Chronicle.
The following letter from Mr.. Hill, al
though written the 10Th, was post-marked
at Milledgeville on the 9th, and came to
hand yesterday morning. Hence the
delay in publishing it:
MILEDGvILLE, Jan. 10Th, 1861.
Nv Dear Sn:-The deed Is done. Geor-
gia this day left the Union. Cannon have
been firing and bells tolling. At this
moment people are filling the streets,
shouting vociferously. A large torchlight
procession is moving from house to house,
and calling out speakers. The resolution
decaratory passed yesterday, and similar
scenes were enacted last night. The
crowd called loudly for me, but my room
was dark, my heart was sad, and my
tongue was silent. Whoever may he in
fault is not now the question. Whether
by the North or by the South, or by both,
the fact remains; our Union has fallen
The most favored sons of freedom have
written page in history which despots
will read to listening subjects for centuries
to come, to prove that the people are not
capable of self-goyernment. How can
think thus, and feel otherwise than badly?
Do not understand me as intimating a
belief that we cannot form new Union
on the basis of the old Constitution. We
can do it. and ,ee ~W. That point we have
secured as far as Georgia can secure it,
and her will on that subject will be the
| pleasure of her sister seceders. But can
we form one with more inspiring hopes of
perpetual life than did Washington and
his comrades? Despots will say no; and
therefore, if the first Onion lived only
seventy-three years, how long will the
next live, and the next, and still the
next, until anarchy come! 1t will take
an hundred years of successful free Gov
eminent to answer the logic of this argu-
ment against Constitutional liberty.
| Nevertheless, for one, am willing to
begin that reply, and that too, in all sin
cerity and earnestness. You know it has
always been my opinion, that our people
would never submit to the rule of Presi-
dent chosen on the sectional anti-savery
dogmas of the Republican party. For one
section to elect rulers for another section.
on an avowed principle of hatred to the
most important interests of that section,
| whether so intended, or not. was move
ment, in its philosophy, of spIjugation, and
the defendants of Huguenots and Caval-
ers will be exterminated rather than sub
NIT to it. My great fear was that the
| disruption would be so hastily, passionate
| and VIOLENT, that actual war might result
and great damage ensue to our people,
which different policy might avert
Therefore | did appeal loudly for pru-
dence and moderation in firmness, and
for a settlement, if it could be had on such
terms. When | saw the disunion chariot
at the top of a great descent, and every
charger fiery and restless, | did call out
to the reinsmen to pull the reins and
press on the brakes, lest we all be dashed
to pieces. We are at the bottom now
came down Wjty. The extent of the
damage is not yet known. The ascent
| beyond is high, the way seems to wind,
| and the end is not exactly in view; but we
except at the summit, and, therefore |
feel it in my heart already to cry out more
earnestly than eyer-let us all up and
| forwdrd.
The position of our State has been
! taken Let the ammo uncement of the
vote be the knell Of our divisions. Let
us bury and forget the past, and live in
and for the future. In spite of any foe,
we can be great and prosperous beyond
precedent, if in unity and under God, we
wW il. Your friend, b. H. HILL.