The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-04-26

cd 20 be for the best. In thus acting
they have met contumely and denun-
citation, and disregard it. Their motives
have been misrepresented and malinged,
but they have turned not either to the
right or to the left, strong in the con-
seriousness of high duty firmly and re-
ligiously discharged. But the course Of
the Administration may well give them
pause. That course will not simply be
condemned by the Union party in the
Border States--it will be rebelled against
by armed resistance, if necessary. While
the doctrine Of secession will never be
endorsed or adopted by the men who
have constituted the Union party, and
sought to preserve the Union as long as
there was hope for its preservation,
| they have ever been prepared, when the
| crisis came. for rebellion and revolution.
That crisis has come. The Border States
are forced into rebellion by the Procla-
nation of the President of the United
States calling upon their Executives to
furnish troops to assist in suhjugating the
South. Mr.. Lincoln knows that there
could be but one response to such a call.
He expected prompt refusal, and
such refusal will meet the approval
of the entire people Of those States.
Being then in rebellion, they are
free to act as their honor, their interests,
and the honor and interests OF the whole
| South may dictate. What that action
shall be, must be determined in a great
measure by passing events. We think
the people of the State should be pre-
| pared for the very worst. We think, be-
| ing in revolution against the insane,
aggressive and malignant policy Of an
administration forced upon tho country
against the will of her entire people, and
the entire people of all her sister South
ern States, she should prepare herself, If
necessary, to maintain that revolutionary
attitude against all invaders.
Our suggestions yesterday IN favor of
main tanning for the present n position of
independence, ready to resist any at
tempt of the Federal Government to
cross her territory with hostile forces to
invade the South, has met, we have reas-
on to believe, the appreciation of many
prominent gentlemen in this city in
whose judgment we have more confidence
than in our own. The Louisville Journal
and Democrat Of Tuesday also recommend
the same policy for Kentucky. as will be-
seen by an extract from the former pa
per which we publish elsewhere.
Whatever may be the policy adopted
by the Border States, it is in the highest
degree desirable that it should be har-
monious, if possible. Events are hasten
ing with such rapidity, and unfortunate
ly SO much is done in a passion and un-
der momentary excitement, that it may be
found impracticable to bring about any
concert OF action. But we trust the peo.
pie of Tennessee, distinguished as well
for their wisdom and conservatism in
counsel, as for their valor in war, will cul-
tivate calmness and deliberation. Moth.
ing done in passion and furor of excite
ment was ever well done. We are, to all
intents and purposes, in a state of revo-
luton Our allegiance to the Federal
Government was as completely severed
by the act of the Governor in refusing to
respond to the call for troops, as though
we had passed dozen ordinances OF Sc
cession, especially in view of the im-
portant fact that that refusal has been or
will be endorsed by the entire people OF
the State. But let us conduct this revo-
luton with all the discretion and delibe.
ration which can be invoked under the
circumstances, necessarily more or less
exciting.