davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
The Southern Congress.

The Montgomery correspondent of the
Charleston Mercury, gives us the following
through the columns Of that paper, on
the 9th:
The Congress is working very dligent-
w. 1t met last night at seven p. NJ, and,
i understand, passed the Army bill, au'
thorizing ten thousand men to be raised.
The bill, I understand, contains the same
pay as in the army of the United States,
but Topping off some of the abuses.
The permanent constitution is daily
considered in secret session. How far
they have got in it, and when it will be
finished, your correspondent cannot as
certain. We ly:rd, however, member
of Congress SAW Lthat he though. that it
would be finished this week. Your mem
bcrs are fighting hard for n constitution
such as the people of South Carolina will
approve of but it = doubtful if they will
succeed. II the frontier States were in
the Congress their failure would not ad.
nit of doubt. BY all means let the
black republicans keep them until your
constitution is made and adopted. Bolts,
Andy johnson Co. are unwittingly do
Ing dixie their kindred spirits, the aboll-
tionists,) the South immense service.
On yesterday morning, before the Con-
grcss went into secret session, very sig
nificant debate on the tariff took place.
Your reporter, doubtless, has sent it to
YOU. 1t arose on resolution of instruc-
lions offered by Mr.. Harris, of Mississip-
pi. Mr.. Toombs, the Secretary OF State,
is supposed to have spoken the policy OF
the provisional administration. lie OPP
posed any essential reductions OF the tar
/ iff of 1851, or any essential alterations in
its two thousand determinations. He
advocated large standing army-fifty
thousand men-wth proportionate rev.
enue for its support. This is not very
surprising. Neither Mr.. Toombs nor
President Davis are free trade men.--
Both of them voted for the tariff OF 1851,
and Mr.. Toombs was one of its goliath
crs The President, like most soldiers,
has, | presume, great confidence in a
strong military organization as an instru-
ment of government. Tomorrow, it was
minated. a tariff bill of some sort would
be reported. Mr.. Toombs is Chairman OF
the Committee on Finance, as well as
Secretary of State, and will report the
bill fear it will raise strong opposl-
ton. MS well as intense disgust. But
suppose it will pass.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Letter from Philadelphia.

As indicating the state of feeling in
commercial circles in Philadelphia, (says
the Nashville Banner) we have been per.
mitted TO make the following extract
from business letter written in Phila.
delphia by one of our leading merchants
to his house here:
"rhe prevailing impression here is that
Mr.. Lincoln's address is mild and concl-
iatory, and nothing else This IS the opin-
ion OF the friends of the South in the
North, so far as | have been able to
Judge. My own opinion is, that lie will
keep the peace il he possibly can. The
people here say that il the border States
will hold on until the voice of the people
can be heard. everything they want will
be granted. but that this can only be done
by u national Convention Of the States.
according to the Constitution. My opin-
ion is. that wc-the border States-shOuld
hold on until the people can be heard /;
then and not till then, will all be right
THE North is anxious to settle this thing
and settle 1t permanently, and forever,
beyond all doubt. The only thing they
fear here, is that Davis. or the Southern
Coniederacy. will declare war now exists,
presuminy from Mr.. Lincoln's address,
that it is his intention to bring on WAL
Immediately. II the South cOnstrue his
address to mean this, the North does not,
nor do 80 construe it,"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Ccmmuni0.

The Communication cpw comes from
responsible source, iH ionroe county,
with n request that Y publish ~ II
seems to be In reply o letter the
writer had received : y the subject Of
which the Communic( In treats. We
present it to our rcade with the single
remark, that we have idea DR.. BRowS'
Low would accept tn nomination for
Governor were It spon{ neously rendered
him by the people. ,dwhy should he?
As editor and publish Of II more widely
circulated journal thu. any in the South
west, he exercises and enjoys n power
and an influence in the land which he
could not command as the incumbent OF
the Gubernatorial Chair.
Your letter of the Goth February reach
ed me in due time. The country is in
such a disturbed and unsettled condition,
that thought you entirely too prema'
ture in selcctinga candidate for Governor.
Indeed, the idea had not fully entered
my head and really now should not say
anything ON the subject, had ! not seen
in the "Athcns fos," Of the sth inst,
the names of Gen. VIM. b. Campbell and
Col. Vim. II. Polk spoken Of as probable
candidates. readily agree with you that
the next Governor shall not be a wiSh.a-
pasLy and irreliablc man-wlose patriot
ism in the present great emergency was
but little, if ut all known. hesitatng
about everything and fixed about moth.
,ny. Ho should ~ bold, outright and
downright, for the Union, the whole
Union. and nothing but the Union as il
has existed. And such is the man you
describe, the fearless BRowNLow, and in
this suggestion | most heartily unite with
Won. do not now, by any means, in
TEND to present an EXTENDED argument in
relation To his fitness, or the claims he
NAV have upon the community. But
must be permitted to say, briefly and gen
orally for the present that no man has
done more to fix public sentiment us it is
in Tennessee. No man has been more
honest and fearless in his Wowals and
opinions no man more true to the state
and the t'n;on--no man more steady in
his opposition to misrule and misgovern
mcpt, and Il more deadly foe to disunion
the lord never let live. Such n man
then, is Vim. q. Brownow. Again, as you
very properly observed. no man in the
Commonwealth has more common sense
decision and promptncss of action, or
better knowledge OF all the affairs OF the
State. all her institutions and officers. and
more would be more viailant IN keeping
the latte. in their places. now propose
VIM. G Brownlow as the next candidate
for Governor of Tennessee. ! know AN
not forestaling public opinion in E,sl
Tennessee, for AN well assured she will
promptly second my nomination and will
with equal promptress and great una
nimity, aid IN carrying it into effect.
shall say more hereafter. For the pres
en,. aAieu. MONROE.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Collecting the Revenues.

It's currently reported that Forts Sum
ter and Pickens will be evacuated by or
der Of the Federal authorities at Wash
ington. That being done, the only ques-
ton remaining out of which collision
and war may presently ensue, is that Of
the revenues in ports Of the Seeding
States. These, we understand Mr.. Lin
coin to say in his Inaugural Address, he
will collect. But let Us soc. "The Presi-
dent, who is sworn to enforce the law,
must himself obey the law; and he can
collect tho revenue only ut the places
and in the manner prescribed by existing
acts Of Congress. The ports of entry are
established By Congress; the President
has no power to abolish them, or to trans
fer the place Of collecting the dutics.-
The proper proceeding, under present
circumstances, would seem to be to cs-
tablish the custom house on board gov.
eminent vessel; but it does not appear
that the executive has power to do this
without special authorization by Congress
In 1888, when the collection of the Fed
cral revenue was likely to be resisted in
South Carolina, President Jackson sent II
message to Congress, advising that an act
should be passed authorizing the Prcsi-
dent to alter or abolish such Of the dis
trcts and ports of entry as should be
necessary, and establish the custom house
at some secure place within port or
harbor, with various other notifications
of the then existing laws. He not only
thought that there would he less oppor-
tunity for collision, but doubted il the
revenue could be collected in any other
way than by placing the custom house
beyond the immediate power Of the To-
cal authorities. An act was passed in
compliance with this recommendation
but its operation was limited to the close
of the next session OF Congress. Mr.
Lincoln has no more power now than
Gen. Jackson had previous to the passage
of the "force act" and if the executive
needed to be clothed with additional au
thority then, it would seem to be even
more necessary under existing crcum
stances. The attempt to revive this ac'
at the late session, it will be remembered
did not prevail.
The question then naturally arises
whether Mr.. Lincoln will deem it neccs
sary to call an extra session of Congress
As it is impossible to collect the revenue
under existing laws, without an immedi
ate collision between the Federal and
State authorities, it is hardly probable
that the President will undertake it until
he has obtained from Congress authority
to abolish existing collection districts,
and establish custom houses on board
ships"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Hon. r. B. Brabson.

This gentleman, the late Representa-
tive from the Third Congressional Dis
trict, reached our town, on his way home
from Washington City, last Saturday, and
remained until Tuesday. Col. Brabson
reports affair, at the Federal Capitol MS
comparatively quiet, and that public SEN
tincnt in that direction is assuming n
healthier and more pacific tone. In re.
gard TO mr., of which we have heard, and
feared, a great dcal lately, he thinks the
contingency not very imminent, for the
present at least. We learned, through
him, tina, the opinion was pretty general
nj Washington that the policy Of the new
administration would be conciliatory, AID
that no attempt would be made TO cocrcc
the Seeding States back into the Union
10y the employment Of military force or
to rctakc the government property now
in their hands. so much is understood
and asserted by those presumed to be in
the confidence Of the President; but be-
yond thi, all is speculation and iumor
Col. Brabson' constituents will he graft
fed to learn that he Is recovering rom the
injury received last Fall and which pre-
vented his attendance at Washington in
the earlier portion Of the late session, and
we know he will receive their hearty ap-
probation for the true and faithful manner
ia which he has represented them through
the s,ormcst and most important period
our country has ever witnessed.
We are not authorized to say that Col.
Brabson Is a candidate for reelection, but
We have no doubt he will consent to serve
another term if the people Of the District
desire ii. And we will add, that wc know
Of no one more likely to be generally ac'
ccptable to them, OF better entitled to the
race. Indeed we think it clearly the poll
cy Of the Union party Of the State, which
comprises nineteen twcntieths Of the vot
ing population, 10 return to Congress all
their late Representatives who stood in
opposition to ianaticism North and scccs
sionism South, and struggled successfully
against the mad schemes Of both. Had
the Tennessee and Kentucky members
,ivcn way under the pressure that was up
IN them, instead Of the better prospect
which is beginning t. dawn, the country
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Office Begging.

1--WE are sorry to hear that the Beggars
have fairly come to town in Montgomery.
Let President Davis swear by the horns
of the altar that no man who asks Office
of him shall get it, and the evil would
abate. We shall charge nothing for that
prescription"
We copy the above from the Macon
Telegraph AMI most heartily say amen.
But, per contra, in conversation on the cars
few evenings since, with a gentleman
just returned from Montgomery, and IN
answer to our suppositon that Montgom-
cry was Washington on smut scale, he
assured us that twas Washington enlarged,
but not improved. The name Of Office
seekers is legion. A"yusta (Ga.) Chronicle.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Later.

A report was current here, Thursday
morning, that or, Sumter had been cvac-
uated By the Federal troops under the
orders OF their Government. All right.
We now begin to see into Iincoln's poll.
cy. lie is going to get the sccedcrs down
very bad by just letting them alone. If
we were not afraid some il-natured fool
would suspect us of Black Republican
procliyities, we would propose three times
three and tiger for Abraham. Wonder
if that Floating Battery at Charleston
wont be for sale in short time.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
VIM. H. Seward.

On the evening of the 4th, large num-
Der of New Workers called on Mr.. Sew.
ard in Washington. He made them a
brief speech, closing as follows:
"The Administration which you have
come here to inaugurate comes into pow
err under circumstances of embarrassment
and peril never before known in the his
tory of the Republic; but believe know
the character and purposes OF the Chief
Magistrate; ! believe that, while he will
be firm. he will also be Just to every
State and every section, and every citi-
zen; that he will defend and protect the
rights and interests, the peace and the
prosperity, of all the States equally and
alike, while he will pra, ticc the modcra-
ton that springs from virtue, and the af-
lection that arises from patriotism in Con-
federated States. Under his guidance,
and with the blessings of God, believe
and trust, and confidently expect, that an
Administration that is inaugurated amid
some distrust and painful apprehension,
will close upon n reunited, restored, pros
porous, free and happy Republic. The
State of New York, the greatest and most
powerful of the States, will lead all other
States in the way of Cancellation; and as
the path of wisdom is always the path of
peace so that now we shall find that the
way of Cancellation is the way of wisdom. y
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Gay Mr.. Corwin's amendment to the


Constitution, which passed both Houses
OF Congress by two-lhlrds majority,
provides that-"No amendment shall be
made to the Constitution which will au-
thorize or give to Congress the power to
abolish or interfere, within any State,
with the domestic institutions thereof,
including that of persons held to labor
or service by the laws of said State" To
become a part OF the Constitution, this
must now be taken up and passed by
three-iourths of the State Legislatures
Will they adopt it?
The adoption of this amendment by
Congress ought to do much to calm the
public mind in the South. II shows that
the republicans are willing to place it Tor
ever out Of the power of the enemies of
slavery to interfere with the institutions
in the slave States. With the fear OF such
interference out of the way, the South
can afford to discuss her future relations
to the Union dispassionately. and to urge
on the work OF adjustment less hastily.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Mississippi Starvation.

That the reports of starvation in Missis
sippi were not unfoundcd, is proved by
the following remarkable statement from
the Brandon Mss Republican,:
Major Hawkins is now on his way to
the western States to buy corn. as agent
for his friends and neighbors. He showed
us list of those who had requested him
to purchase for them, and also list OF
those who were in destitute condition
and compelled to ask the citizens OF the
western States. through him. to give them
corn TO keep them and their families from
starving. The two lists comprised two
hundred and seventy.nine names. want
ing from twenty to five hundred bushels.
and amounting in all to twenty-four thou
sand, seven hundred and thirty.six bush
els. Most of those sending are response
bic men. but they cannot raise money TO
pay for it.. and it is the intention OF Maj.
Hawkins to lay the facts before those
who have corn for sale, and try to induce
them to sell corn on credit until next
fall"
We learn Maj. Hawkins has returned
with an ample supply OF Corn, a portion
of which was donated by the people among
whom he has been.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Missouri Convention.

=, Mech IO-After some un.
o. 'n.' s,on"oIincs in Convention yes
.mpo ,. I'foo Gamble. The Chairman of
.tru Ts, vus an federal Relations, pre-
'ne .J'' ""h rood the report of that com.
sen ,.D W." Tho ronort il long and carefully
lp'.'o., J n,aLes faithful exposition
" W. ~, H. circumstances surrounding the
.as;,;o, and affecting the interests OF
"I'an,; I, rocounts the evils of which
W. c",,,i, NAV riuhtrully complain, nd.
.n s, iJ"" ,ho North that the hostile, ia.
.'n,;aai rsol;n,s towards Southern institu.
.;ons n,oniG.sted by large numbers of the
''on'i T., ,h,, section. are productive on.
Peorr'o oun and imnresses the hope that
y ", ~. Lmowlodoc of the subject will re-.
oes'. ,h";r ,r,.iudices. Il does not as
. ..',s n ,hreaicninp attitude towards eli
. .u"n .",ra,ns section of the country, but
.n;,,s nut The errors of both, and con-
pl,,,dos viii the following resolutions,
,,i;oh ara a reduction of the main fca.
,,'nos ~ ,,c renort.
''' p.soh.,J Thnt nj present. there is no
,,,an"a,s cause TO compel Missouri to dis.
"olva her connections with the Federal
u,,,os I'm, IN tho contrary. she will labor
ror such nm adjustment of the existing
,ronbles os will secure the peace, rights,
and cnuality Of all the States.
PesoI,rd THAT The people of this State
or. devotedly attached to the institutions
~ onr country and cminently desire that
NV n f,ir md omicable adjustment the
,,resent couses of disagreement NAV be
removed. the Union perpetuated. and
neoce and HARMONY restored between tho
North and the South.
Resoiyed That the people of this State
demand that the amendments to the Con-
stitution of the United States proposed
by Mr.. Crittendeh with the extension Of
the same to all territory hereafter to be
acquired, should be accorded as basis of
adjustment, which will successfully re-
move the cause of difference forever from
the arena of national POLITICS.
Resoised, That the people of Missouri
believe that the peace and quiet of the
country may be promoted by u conven.
ton to propose amendments to the Con.
stituion of the United States, and this
convention urges the Legislature OF this
State to take steps for calling such con-
vention.
ReSolref, That as in the opinion OF this
Convention, the employment OF militia
ry force by the Federal Government to
coerce the Seeding States, or the en-
ployment Of military forces by the seced-
ing States, will inevitably plunge the coun.
try into civil war and thereby extingulsh
all hopes OF an amcab'e settlement OF the
issues now pending: we, therefore, earn
estly exhort the Federal Government. AS
well rs the secedingStates. TO stny the arm
OF the military power, and on no pre-
tence whatever bring upon the nation the
horrors of civil war.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Preparations for Organizing a
Union Party.

A Baltimore letter, commenting upon
the Inaugural Address, closes with the
following:
Fortunately the Union and Mr.. Lin
coin are two things Whilst he is the
cphemcral embodied representative of un.
important dogmas and of broken pollti.
cal faction, it remains u child of affection
with the sovereign people. to be nursed
and nurturcd by them when he grows
powcrless and is forgotten. Hope, there
fore, still fingers in this thought, and we
may look 20 the not distant future for an
expression of sentiment coming up with
potency from the masses, that will yet
restore our country to its wonted posi-
ton.
Preparations are now making in this
city and State to form n solid. uncompro-
missing Union party. having in view the
election to office henceIorward of none
but men who stand squarely. irrevocably
amid all assaults and under every con.
tingency-upon the Union platform
This organization is fairly in working
Democracy. Americanism. republicansm
and all other partisan combinations must
give way to it as chat before the winds.
It will eventually sweep over the country
like mighty hurricane. Its mission will
be to preserve our glorious old star span.
gled banner. rescue it from the dust into
which it has been sunk by sectional fanat-
icism, bring back harmony and good feel
ing among the people everywhere. and
reunite the severed bonds of our confed-
eracy. If mistake not, the first demon.
stration of this patriotic conclave will be
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Secession and Abolition.

w. commend 10 those nersons who arc
.., -. .,a.,, ,,'oi. d.,o,;o, ),
cohs'"'y P'a'"'B ""ou' '"''' "F'"',o' w
the South, and at the same "me advoca'
ting secession, the following significant
and truthful hints from the Cincinnati
Do..,h,;o.. .,o, Thov or.
"d@F"e' "ep"'","" p"re
themselves, many OF them uA"i'''hgl!' u"
doubt, advocating policy which, it sue
cessrul would abolitionize the Border
-, ~ ..,,.a,,.. ,.-, .,o Gle
STATES al" e''"'""' ."'n -, '"o W."
States into ahother hayo! INC ua-e"e
says:
IF the peopIe of the South woull suffer
themselves Tor one moment to see through
the mists of passion, and examine their
situation by the light of reason. they
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Wholesale Clothiers.

The attention of merchants and others
is invited to the Card of PuLLIAM, WILLS,
RANKIN & Co., Wholesale Clothers, No.
300 Broadway, New York. This is one OF
the largest and best houses in the great
Commercial Emporium Oft the Union, and
is worthy the attention Of all who wish
to have the advantage of extensive and
complete assorimcnts in making their Sc
lections. The fact that II. McD. McEL-
nAru. formerly of this vicinage, is mem
Der of the concern, is an ample guarantee
that all orders forwarded will be prompt
" and satisfactorily filed.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
"Morgan Prince"

This is the name Of Fine Horse now
at the stable of our friend, Eli Dixon, 5
miles east of Athens. He was selected and
purchased by NJ, ssrs. Helm and Dixon, in
New Hampshire, last Fall, and is, to our
notion the best stock horse now in the
country. 1t is VIGOROUSLY true, that the
breed OF horses in this section, from ne
elect and proper crossing. has much de-
generated, and every effort to improve
and redeem it should be promptly en-
couragcd. Farmers and StOck-raisers are
referred to the advertisement of Morgan
Prince next page,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15

lSy- We really think it little unfortu.
nate that President Lincoln did not se-
lcct one or two members Cor his Cabinet
from among the citizens of this place.
We have Statesmen here, pining away
meath the inglorious shades OF obscurity,
who could untwist the complications and
adjust tho difficulties which embarrass
and thrall the country, reconstruct the
Union and restore the reign Of dove-eyed
peace, in less time time than it took hon
est Abraham to make the connection be-
tween Harrisburg and Washington.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15
Governor of Alabama.

The Union Banner" Athens, Ala,
of the 9th, contains the following para
graph:
We place this day at the head of our
columns for Governor Of Alabama. the
name of the Hon. Mich. Davis, OF Madi.
son. Mr.. Davis has been trim and found
true, and as North Alabama is entitled to
the next Governor, we can name no man
better qualified, il MS well, as this dislin.
guished gentleman and Statesman. We
present him to he prooie rs the peoples
candidate, and urge them to come to the
rescIn.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-15

LIEUT.. Talbot A member of the
family Of this gentleman, who is on duty
at Fort Sumter under Major Anderson,
declares that there is no truth in the
Charleston Mercury's statement that he
intends to resign his commission in tho
U. s. Army.