davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

That our readers may see the opinion
in which the prospect Of fight is held
down South, We copy the following ar
ticle from the Montgomery tAla.) Post,
The PRospEcT. T'he question is asked
by every one, are we going to have peace
or war? Thisis a question of the deepest
magnitude, the al, absorbing question of
the day, and question that no one seems
able to answer. Judging however, from
the indications as they gradually develope
themselves from day to day, in both sec
tions Of the country, our impression is
that we are slowly, but constantly drift
ing to the point where pending difficult
ties will be tested by the strong arm of
power, and settled by the arbitrament of
the sword. The concentration of troops
at different points i'm the Confederate
States, and the continued military pre-
parations, together with the universally
expressed sentiment of the people to
maintain their position at all hazards, 90
to show, that if the coiled rattlesnake is
pressed he intends to strike. On the other
hand. the hesitancy of the Administra-
ton at Washington, the constantly huctu-
ating policy in relation to the public prop
erty of the Seeded States, the strength
enipg of the forts on the border, the
military movements and naval arrange
ments of the United States Government,
go to show that forcible policy is at least
in contemplation furthermore, the peo-
pie Of both sections arc becoming weari-
ed of this state Of uncertainty and sus-
pense, this check upon business and gen.
eral arrangement Of commercial and fnan-
cial relations, and they will not endure
this mastery inactivity" which must be
almost as onerous and expensive as would
be the prosecution ola war. If the OBJ
ject of the United States Government is
to gain time for the purpose of just set
t.ement and peaceable solution of our diff
ficulties, then we are willing to cultivate
the virtue of patience and iorbear for a
time, but if las really seems to be the
CASEY their object is to Cypress us with
heavy burthens and constantly accumul-
ating expenditures, in perfecting and
main tanning state of military defence
for the purpose of eating up our substance
and burthening our people with taxation
until as they suppose, we will become
| supplicants at ther feet-we say, if this be
the object of ther hesitancy we are ready
| to
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Border state Convention.

The Legislature of Kentucky have pass
ed an act providing for the election, by
general ticket Of delegates to the propos-
ed Border State Convention, the election
to be held the LIST Saturday in May. Hon.
JoHS G. BsEcKiNRIDGE addressed the Leg
islature last Monday, and placed himself
at the head Of the disunion movement in
Kentucky. He favors the Border State
Convention, and proposes the Crittenden
propositions as an ultimatun,. The disun.
ionists held meeting at Frankfort, on
the night of the LIST, and agreed upon the
following ticket for delegates to the Con.
vention:
For the State at large-General William
o. Butler and Hon. Jas. B. Clay.
First District-Hon. Henry G. Burnett.
Second District-Col John w. Crockett
Third District--George w. Ewing, Esq
Fourth DISTRIBUTION. A. G.. Talbot.
Fifth District--ExGovernor j. L. Holm
Sixth DISTRIBUTION. John NJ. Elliott.
Seventh Distribution. Humphrey Mar
shall.
Eighth District-Hon. Thos. ?. Porter.
Ninth Distrlct-Judge Emory Whitaker
Tenth District-William f. Arthur, Esq
The Frankfort correspondent of the
Cincinnati Enquirer says the issue in the
State will be made on the Crfttenden and
Peace Conference Propositions, the dsun-
ion party supporting the former and the
Union party the latter Messrs. Butler
and Clay, both of whom, in the Peace
Conference, opposed the Franklin propo
stion, were selected as Commissioners fol
the State at large. 1t is supposed that
Messrs. Crittenden and Guthrie, who sup
ported the propositions of the Peace Con
ference, will be selected as the candi
dates. In this way tho issue will oe made
up, and we may anticipate one of the
most vigorous and exciting political con
tests that has ever marked the political
history of Kentucky Patriot.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
The Republicans Defeat in Rhode
Island.

In the election of Governor, members
OF Congress, &C., in Rhode Island on the
Sd inst, there was fusion of the Democ-
racy' and other conservatives against the
Republicans. The tickets voted for were
distinct with the exception OF two names,
those of the candidates for Secretary OF
State and Treasurer, which were voted for
by all parties. The Republicans were to-
tally routed. The Republicans supported
for Congress, Messrs. Brayton and Robin
son, members of the last Congress, who
were elected two years ago, the former by
l,349 majority, and the latter 1859, and
who voted against compromise and con-
cession. Both of them are supplanted by
conservatives The Legislature is anti.Re-
publican, a warning to the Republicans
representing the State in the Senate
against opposing an adjustment of the
sectional troubles.
The following is the State and Congress
sional tickets voted for:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Latest from Fort sumter.

The Charleston Courier, of the 9th,
gives the following in regard TO Fort
Sumter:
TIE BEGINNING OF THE END.-The or
ders which some dispatches and accounts
have been anticipating for several days,
have now been issued, for the suspension
of all supplies between Fort Sumter and
the city. This step is not taken too soon,
but we believe of the use and improve
ment we have made by the delay we can
not say with some that it was deferred
too long. There is reason for believing
that the reports of orders from Washing.
ton for evacuation have only been de-
signed to deceive and beguile. Fortu-
nately, they have failed in that, so far as
vigilance and preparations on the part OF
the State have been concerned.
The complication and difficulties grow
ing out of the occupation of Fort Sum-
ter, were caused by an act of Major An
derson, on his own responsibility and
without specific orders. 1t seems to be
the determination of the powers Of Gov
eminent that rule at Washington, to
leave to the same discretion, and to in
dividual responsibility, the settlement OF
this question.
We shall soon learn how he will de.
eide under this grave alternative.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

We shall take the responsibility Of sug-
costing to the true Union men of this re-
gion to hold fast the ground taken by the
party at the outbreak Of the present trou-
bles, and not suffer themselves to be
forced by designing men. or wheedled
and coaxed by ill-adviscd and over-zeal.
Gus friends, into quasi endorsement, or
even negative support Of the Black Re
publican administration. That admins
.ration has not yet developed its policy;
and patriotism, consistency, self.respect,
and self-preservation all demand and re-
quire that we shall not recede an inch
from the ground we then took. If we do,
we cannot successfully defend ourselves
through the contest which is coming.
We have one other remark. We ques-
ton no mans motives, we impugn no
ones honesty and sincerity; butNwe do
protest against and deprecate all efforts
and proceedings, coming from whatever
source they may, calculated to increase
strife aud contention among ourselves
Such things are working incalculabe mis-.
chief, whether so intended or not. We
cannot head off the revolution South Of
us. The most we can hope is to keep il
beyond our borders-and this we can on
ly do by cultivat;ng unity, harmony and
oneness among our people, instead oil
bitterness and animosity. The question
for Tennessee and the border slave
States is, not whether they shall join in
a quixotic and mad enterprise Of at
tempting to whip five millions of peopl,
into Union of peace. love and fraterni
ty, but whether upon certain conditions
they will maintain their present position
and allegiance, or accept the alterna
tive Of revolution. This is the true statu
of the question, and the sooner the Mint
remaining slave States get together il
Convention and agree upon line of poll
cy and present their ultimatum, the bet
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

SouTH CAROLINA PAYING Up.-We are
glad to be informed that the State of
South Carolina has paid for the first seiz-
ure of property made by the State after
the act of secession, the amount being
for cargo of cement shipped by Dele
field and Baxter, of this city, upon the
order of Col. Foster, of the U. S. Engineer
corps, and intended for repairs at Fort
Moultrie. The vessel arrived at Charles
ton the very day Maj. Anderson took
possession OF Fort Sumter and was i'm
mediately seized and held by order of
Gov. Pickens. In very handsome, if
not IN very prompt manner, after much
correspondence, Gov. Pickens has now
assumed the further responsibility of re-
lieving both the U. s. Government and
the shippers in this city, by forwarding a
draft in New York funds. which was duly
honored and paid. The New York funds
cost South Carolina an extra premium Of
three per cent, which must be put down
as one OF the extra expenses Of the act of
secession. Would there were no worse
consequences than dollars and cents
growing out Of the untoward act of a
separation Of our once united people and
governmept.-Nep York EJ,pyess.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

To observation-disclosures,

Il is utterly impossible for us TO pub
lish half the Communications We are re-
ceiving, and at the same time keep our
readers up with the currents of events in
different sections of the country. We
yield nearly all editorial space to make
room for news matter believing that IL Is
As much our duty to keep the people ad-
vised Of what is transpiring in one direc-
ton as in another. We would like to ac-
commodate all who send communications,
but we cannot do so without rendering
the columns of the paper unintercsting to
at least three-fourths OF its readers.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
The Administration Poliov.

Iron the New York Times Of Friday, 5tl ins,.l
"The signs Of the times indicate that the
Government has decided to enter upon
vigorous and decided policy, in vindica-
ton of its authority and in protection Of
its interest. Our advices from Washing
ton render ii probable, to say the least,
that the Revenue laws are to be enforced
in Southern ports, as we'll as Northern
and that vessels will not be permitted 10
enter ports where duties upon their car
goes will not be paid. 1t is probable that
New Orleans will be blockaded, as well as
every other Southern port.
Whatever we may think Of the compar-
alive wisdom of this policy, we shall, fit
has been or shall be adopted by the Gov
eminent, give il our hearty support. I'm.
less we are prepared for the complete and
permanent destruction of our Govern
ment, its supreme authority must be as
serted. If the Secessionists of the South
ern States are prepared to join issue upon
the rightful supremacy Of the Constitu.
ton, the country will be prepared to meet
them and to try conclusions on any field
of their selection. War is never anything
better than horrible necessity, it is
sometimes the only means by which a
great nation can be saved from the worst
and lowest degradation,-the loss of hon.
or and of self-respect.
The greatest mass of the American peo.
pie will hail with hearty satisfaction, the
adoption of some specific policy against
the secession moyemement. We presume
the measures taken will be merely for
the enforcement of the laws, at the en-
trance of the ports Of the seeded States
This is not itselfa hostile step; and can
only become so by forcible resistance on
the part of those whose obedience to law
is to be enforced. That it may lead to
war it would, of course, be idle to doubt
But if it does, the entire guilt will rest
upon those who have rebelled against the
Government"
It's doubtless true that the recent move.
ments of the Government at Washington
give grounds for the conclusion arrived at
above by the Times as to the policy oil
the Administration.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
The New Route for Cotton.

iho Duhaio litp"OHc says:
'For the last three days there has
been sent east, from Buffalo to Boston,
on an average, twenty car loads of cot
ton per day, or eighteen thousand bales
in that time, and still it comes. Thirty
bales, or about seven tons and half
weight, is readily put in each car This
is the compressed cotton, as formerly on
ly about twenty or twenty-three bales
was all that could be stored in car
The price for carrying this cotton from
Memphis to Boston is about "a so per
bale or five hundred pounds. This is
cheaper than it can be shipped down the
Mississippi to New Orleans, and thence
by vessel, and the difference in time is
about thirty days in favor of the North
ern route. 1t comes to Cincinnati BY
river, and then by rail all the way to
Boston. A small portion is brought all
the way by rail, but the rates on this are
little higher. For the four months up
to the first of February, the New York
Central carried from the Bridge and Buff
falo 1850 bales, and in February about
5000. This month, from present APP
pearances, they will do the largest bust
ness they ever did"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
government

The SEcEDED STATEs.-Referring to the
resources of the seeded States in order
to meet the burdens OF their Government,
Vice-President Stephens, in his recent
speech at Savannah, held the following
language:
"The taxable property of the Confede-
rate States cannot be less than So, 200, 900,
000 This, l think, venture but little
in saying, may be considered as five times
more than the colonies possessed at the
time they achieved their Independence
Georgia alone possessed last year, accord
ing to the report of our Comptroller Gen.
eral. S672, 100000 of taxable property
The debts of the seven Confederate States
sum up in the aggregate less than $751;
000,000 while the existing debts of the
other of the late United States sum up in
the aggregate the enormous amount of
Sl74,000,000. This is without taking into
the account the heavy city debts, corpor-
alton debts, and railroad debts, which
press, and will continue to press, a heavy
incubus upon the resources of those States.
These debts, added to others, make
sum total not much under 100000, 900.
With such an area Of territory, with such
an amount of population, with climate
and soil unsurpassed by any ON the face
of the earth, with such resources already
at our command, with productions which
control the commerce of the world, who
can entertain any apprehensions as to our
success, whether Others join us or notp"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
The Administration.
The New York Express thus daguerreo-

The New York Express thus daguerreo-
types the Republican Administration
What the Policy" of the Administra,
ton is, mob >dy knows or can guess, for
now it is "up," up" for war, and then
it is "down," down." for submission
The Fort Pickens mystery is insolvable,
as ever! Fort Sumter, doubtless, will be
evacuated, a day or two after the Rhode
Island Election ;s over. Uncle Sam, poor
Uncle Sam, is drifting along, and drifting
down stream, too! Republican Estates.
manship" seems to be "the art OF drift
ing" The purpose for which Government
is formed, Republicanism is defining to
be, turning office-holders out, and put
ting office-seekers in"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Paying Duties under Protest.

The following is the form of a protest
which was fled on Monday 1.-THE day the
new tariff went into operation) with the
New York collector, by A. L. Dennis &
Co.. on the payment of the increased
duties under the Morrill, tariff:
To The Collector of The Port Of New York:
SIR-We hereby protest against the
payment of fifteen per cent. charged on
seven cases of leather contained in this
entry, because the duties on the same
kind, description, character and equality
of leather are not levied and collected in
other ports of the United States, by au-
thority therefore, to wit: in the ports of
the States of South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama. Louisiana and others,
whereas by the first clause of the eighth
section of the first article of the Constitu-
ton of the United States it is expressly
declared that "ail duties, imposts and
exercises shall be uniform throughout the
United States" and aiso b. the fifth
clause of the ninth section of TIE same
article it is declared that mo preiareace
shall be given by any regulation of COM
merce or revenue to the ports of one
State over those of another" We pay
the amount exacted in orderto get pos
session of the goods, and claim to have
the full amount refunded.
r o. r.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

The REVENUE OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES.
"A correspondent Of the Macon (Ga.)
Telegraph writes from Charleston
On the subject of revenue for the Con-
federate States, am c,edibly informed
that Collector Boston, in Savannah, is
willing to enter into bond to turn out
three million dollars to the Treasury the
first year. Charleston is, with equal con-
tidence counted for FIVE millions-Nev
Orleans for seven, and Mobile for three.
There you have abundance of money.
Charleston harbor is well stocked with
shipping, and it is odd to see the Confed-
crate flag flying from the Northern masts.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Douglas and breckenridge.

Both of these distinguished gentlemen
are understood to be in favor of with
drawing the Federal troops from all the
Southern Forts, and for recognizing the
independence of the Southern Confede-
racy. We make the announcement for
the information of such as seem to be
in ignorance of the present position of
two of the leaders in the late Presiden-
tial canvass.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Programme of the secesaionists

The county Convention for Shelby
county, the home of Gov. Isham G. Har-
ris, to send delegates to the State dis
union Convention, was held at Raleigh,
on Monday, the first day of April, and
we find report of the proceedings in the
Memphis Appeal of the day following
A resolution adopted at that meeting
will serve to show the programme of tue
Disunion party in the approaching State
electiou:-
Resolve1, That we will vote for no n,a,,
for any political position who is not in favor
of an immediate and unconditional Secession,
of the State.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

We are requested to correct an impress
sion which has been made here, that
Hamilton county had appointed delegates
to the Congressional Convention pledged
to John l.. Hopkins, Esq. We under
stand that such is not the fact, but that
the delegates were left, as they should be,
untrammelcd by instructions.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

The CONFEDERATE CoNsTITUTIoN.-The
vicksburg Wing, speaking of the refusal
of the Mississippi Convention to submit
the Confederate Constitution to the vote
of the people, says:
We regard the refusal to submit it to
the popular voice, as the most dangerous
precedent which could be established in
a Republican State. Constitutions can
only derive their just powers from the
consent of the governed, and the voice of
the people is formidable to tyrants only"
We have advocated the submission of our
fundamental law to the sufirages of the
people, not that we believed they would
not approve it, but because the people
alone have the power, in this free land to
make and unmake Constitutions. While
we look with anything but favor upon
some of the provisions of the new Consti-
tuition, yet as whole we stood ready to
give it our support, and we regret that the
action of our State Convention has weak
ened its moral power before the coun-
try,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Bledsoe County.

We spent portion of last week in the
Scquatchie Valley. Our patrons seemed
glad to see us, and responded like mer
who live in the fear and admonition Of
the Lord. Wheat in the Valley looks
promising, as it does in almost every di.
rection.
On Monday, after the adjournment OIL
the Union meeting, the proceedings Of
which we published last week, Col. Sam.
Turney made Secession speech, in which
he argued that 1--WE must all go South, il
we didn't want to become choppers OF
wood and haulers of water to the Black
Republican States" On Tuesday, Col.
Comes, of Sparta, made speech, urging
the same course with some ability and q
good deal of vehemence. The Union eie-
ment is strong in Bledsoe, and whether
the seed thus scattered is to bring forth
fruit time will develope. From what we
saw and heard, without assiduous cultiva-
ton and good deal of digging and dung
ing by the laborers and proprietors, the
"crop will be mighty short" But there
is no telling, what day ora night may
bring forth.
We should have stated that on Monday
Col. G. Spears made Union speech,
which to our notion savored rather too
much of the old Douglas doctrine. The
taar pas however was pardonable, as we
have right to know how hard it is for
one who has been an active partizan all his
life, even at the bidding OF patriotism to
diyest and rid himself at once of precon-
ceived opinions and old prejudices, and
come square up to the work demanded
by the'perils and dangers that environ
the country. In such cases, thorough
and radical cure is not to be expected in
an hour.
Persons visiting Pikeville will find good
accommodations at the Inn, kept by Mrs.
PAINTER.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Speech Making.

Speech-making has been the order Of
the day here this week-a dozen. more OF
less, having been made at the Courthouse.
And what good has been accomplished?
None, whatever. On the contrary, we
know the whole tendency is to increase
divisions, and stimulate bitterness and
strife among the people. We would like
to ask the sgitators at the hastings and
on the street corners, what they expect to
accomplish Last February, Tennessee
emphatically declared against Secession,
and she just as emphatically declared
that she would not be forced into an arm
ed collision with the States which had
seeded. Just keep that in mind, gen.
tlemen, and it may save you a vast deal
of labor and unpleasantness.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12
Still in q Mist,

Ne,o York, April THE steamship At
lantic has not sailed up to the present
hour, 70 p. N.Y. The Illinois has steam on,
and will, it is reported, load with stores
and troops to night. The war steamer
.Powhataa crossed the bar, bound out, at
6 o'clock this evening. The steamer
Nashville, advertised to sail for Charleston
to day, will be detained until the 9th.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

We understand that, under instruc-
tions from Mr.. Lincoln, orders have gone
West to confscate all goods introduced
into the Southern ports without the pay
ment of the regular United States duties.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-12

WASHINGTON, April 7.-San Domingo
affairs excite no peculiar interest on the
part of the Administration.
1t is supposed that there is sufficient
number Of troops at Fort Pickens to re-
inforce it if it is not already done.
Private offers have at premium been
made for five millions treasury notes.