The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-15
Reconstruction.

f '"N 'N''ehich' VI dIl cOullefn S,ate
IN mass, and then, after certain tim,
to work up reconstruction of the Fec
eral Government. This is either grea
absurdiiy or a great crime. If that 90,
eminent be broken up for such a pun
pose, as vain would be the attempt I
reconstruct il as TO rear again the mos
gigantic of the Egyptian pyramids shat
tered or the plain by some great convul
sion. Both are impracticable. One
down they can never be built up again. =
When separated into two or more comb
nations, preceded, as it is universally
admitted must be the ease, by civil war
% Tsepimosity between the people ofthes'
d delei1sTti rsso implacable as TO ut
thejsreclude their reunion. We vii
tnolmni''refM the wrong we have done
tllsfAe'Yfn destroying the government, fol
1t is II; the nature of man to hate those
whom lie has injured. They will hate us
for that wrong, and for that of the in.
suits with which they have tainted us,
and for those with which we have taunt.
ed them. The warfare also would be OF
a ferocity, in bloodshed and devastation,
to render any future intermingling OF
the parties to these horrors altogether
illusory.
Reconstruction, if any be needed, is
practicable in the Union, because the
fued is not yet so malignant as to deny
salutary efforts 10 that end. There it can
take place, but under no other auspices
could it be effected Make the essay un-
der the broad shield of the Constitution
Of the United States rather than under
the fimsy panoply Of broken and hos
tile factions. When the burning torrent
Of revolution has blighted land and hui
manity, and liberty, reconstruction be-
comes phantom.
The framing an effective government
is either work of time, or Of the great
est political sagacity. 1t is no erection of
house of cards, which the young archi-
tect demolishes in his caprice, and then
rebuilds, or turns his materials to some
other puerie fancy. Weak, rash and
pestilent is the man who follows such an
example i'll the polity of a ration.
r.f -
be made in d day. That of Great Brit
ain was the work of centuries, and has
but recently attained its pl esent liberal
form. Each step tQwards improvement
was taken to correct aspreceding evil, un-
til, finally, the due proportions were
found. But here, happily, we did not
require so slow progress, as we had the
precedents Of the mother country before
us, and of our own free colonial estab-
lishments. These were the models OH
which the Constitution we now enjoy
were shaped. The springs and balances
were all at hand, and the machine was
thus the result Of experience, precedents,
and the highest order of intellect Is
an instrument fabricated by such ingen-
uity and toll to be taken in pieces, that
pretenders may, in their wantonness es-
say to reunite them? Is all the prosperi-
ty it has shed over the land to he held in
suspense until SO frivolous an experiment
be tested2 Are we to continue in de-
plorable and intense suffering whilst
this poor tinkering is going on?
When, as in our case, the foundation
Of government is laid deep and strong.
let no rude hand upfoot it. When the
grand structure it sustains is rashly torn
to the earth it car never be reared again.
In flying from real or apparent evils let
us remember that, in losing sight of con-
servatism and moderation, we may doom
ourselves to others of an hundred fold
greater severity.
Patriotic exertions for harmony are
making, sustained 5y the universal pray
er which is daily going up to the Throne
of Grace. These are backed also by eve
ry prompting of selfinterest. The in
nate desire Of every one to live in secu-
rity, TO enoin the fruits of his labor, and
to have a great, respected and secured
home-hiS co,mty-will stimulate the pl-
cificators in their generous task We re-
quire this Republic to be great unit,
that our heritage shall still give us on
passport and that we be not
unprotected and despised Wanderers
Now if insulted or wronged, q powerful
nation gives US assured redress If sub
divided into inferior dominions we may
sue in vain, and have to Withdraw under
the contumely of the offender.
Honest Talk.
In the subioined expressions of regret