The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-06-07
Speaking at Athens.

Hon. w. +. Avery and @. p. Fouts, ESQ.,,
of Memphis, made speeches at Athens in
defence of the South, on last Friday; and
on Tuesday, Hon. ia. r. Nelson and
Hon. Horace Maynard spoke here on
the other side. We heard the last two
named for only few minutes, but long
enough to learn that they are in a false
position. and that the tendency of their
efforts is the cultivation Of spirit OF re-
sistance to the vote Of the State on the
9Th of June, unless that vote shall be in
accordance with their desires. The hur-
rah which these two distinguished gen.
tlemen are trying TO raise about frauds at
the ballot box, is entirely gratuitous and
not reconcilable with the reputation
which both have hitherto enjoyed forcan
dor an ingenuousness. If we are not at
fault in our recollection, Mesrs. Nelson
and Maynard, on their return from Wash
ington, both stated that they had had
interviews with President Lincoln, who
gave them positive assurances that
his policy was peace, Since that time he
has called 100000 troops into the field;
has overrun Maryland; has violated the
laws and the sovereignty Of Missouri his
soldiers there have murdered unarmed
men, and violated and slaughtered help
less women; he has invaded Virginia,
and to-day has more than 10000 troops
upon its soil to overrun and desolate it.
He has trampled the highest judicial tri-
bunal in the land under his feet, and
threatens the Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court with imprisonment, if he
&esumes to interpose ais official func-
tons in yindication Of private citizen.
Laws, Constitutions, and State Sovereign
ties are crushed under the fanatical heel
of the Black Republican President. All
this has been done since Messrs. Maynard
and Nelson assured their friends and
neighbors that Mr.. Lincolns policy was
peace. Thoy know very well that he has
deceived them. And yet they are on the
stump to-day, giving aid and comfort, in
directly, if not directly, to his war policy.
But we will not pursue the subject. In
few days the people will vote upon the
questions involved, and we shall expect
to abide their verdict--believing that all
should hold themselves ready TO make
any sacrifice and perform any duty which,
as true and loyal citizens, they owe to the
State whose laws shelter and protect them.
If a majority of the people ratify, by their
votes, the action of the Legislature, it
will become the duty of the minority to
acquiesce in that ratification. 1t is only
by such course, by harmony and union
among ourselves, that we can tighten our
troubles; as it is only by union of the
South that the war which is already upon
us can be terminated in any reasonable
time, and the liberties of any portion of
the people be preserved. II, by dissen-
sions among ourselves, the North con-
quers the South, they can only hold it by
the strong arm Of military power-such
as Austria employs 10 hold Hungary
and under such rule the government at
Washington would soon be transformed
into Military Despotism, and the liber
ties Of the entire nation disappear forev-
er. On the contrary, if we are united,
if the Slave States would present an un-
broken front to the enemy, the war would
not last six-months-an adjustment
would follow, and the country, whether
as one or two peoples, would once more
start forward on q career Of prosperity
Confident of our conclusions, we intend
to vote for a union of the South, and we
commend every one to do so as the only
path open at present to a speedy termi-
nation of the struggle in which the two
sections areinvolved, and which must end
at last in their separation. Twenty mil
lions Of people can never whip ten mil.
lions into union of peace and fraternity,
and no statesman of any pretensions ex-
poets it. To-day there is a North and q
South, and Tennessee must choose between
them. She cannot avoid the issue, ard
honesty and candor cannot present it in
any other light. Esop may fable from
morn till noon; galaday eloquence pour
its plaintive wall till dewy eve--the I'M
wary may be imposed on by their efforts,
but candid and intelligent minds will not
be deceived. If East Tennessee had been
let alone, by its isolated condition it
might have escaped the bitter desolation
os war--if the policy and the spirit of
Messrs. Nelson and Maynard prevail, the
seat of war will soon be transferred to its
borders, its fair fields be made desolate,
It's mountains will resoundwith the crack
Of the deadly rifle, and its valleys and
streams be crimsoned with the blood of
neighbors and friends.
Hon. John Bell, at Knoxville.
N ~