davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
The 22d of February.

An interesting account of the celebra-
ton OF the anniversary of Washington's
Birth-D Day, from the gifted pen of one of
our townsmen, will be found in our col
umns. And while referring the reader to
that, it will not be inappropriate for us to
remark, that the immense crowd present
on the occasion afforded conclusive evil
dence of the deep interest felt by the peo-
pie in regard to the perilous condition of
the country, and was gratifying proof of
the Union-loving sentiment so predomi-
nant in this section. 1t was pleasing TO
the patriot to observe marching in pro-
cession, side by side, ancient political
foes. Wing and Democrat We'd with each
other in paying homage to the National
Flag-Know-nothinga and Sagnicht emulat-
ed each other in shouting for the Union.
The most extreme partizans, whose viru-
ience had rendered them conspicuous in
times gone by, cordially shook the hands
of those with whom they had never be-
fore desired fellowship, and, exhibiting
that lofty patriotism which rises immea-
surably above party ties and petty strife,
expressed an intention in the future to
recognize no man as a friend of his coun-
try, or worthy of public confidence, who
is not for standing by the Union as long
as honor and hope will justify. The feel
ing seems to be almost universal that dis
union is a remedy for no wrong, while it
inevitably will entail upon us q variety
of evils unparalleled in the annals of the
nation--and the people here are conyinc-
ed, almost without exception, that in or
der to perpetuate the institution of Afri-
can slavery, the Union mustbe preserved.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01

We give all the news we have been able
to gather. Arkansas has voted for Con-
vention, and, it is said, elected a majority
of Seccssionists. The people of Texas
ratified the ordinance of Secession last
Saturday. Up to Wednesday morning.
the Peace Conference had failed to agree
upon any plan of adjustment, and they
are supposed to be working on time. Mr..
Corwin has clogged Stanton's Force Bill,
SO that it will hardly pass, and for which
we thank him. Mr.. Lincoln is at WASH
ington in the keeping of Seward, who
will indicate the policy of the new gov
eminent next Monday. The great ques-
ton for solution is, shall the Federal Gov
eminent recognize the independence of
the Seeding States, or attempt their sub
jugation? That's the question Messrs.
Lincoln and Seward have to meet at the
Acknowledgements or war, as they shall de-
termine. Old Buck has played it Off
Old Abe can't. A few days more, and we
shall know the whether the North
and the South are to part in peace, with
the probability of reunion in year or
two, or whether the land is to be desolat-
ed with civil wars and strifes, and, after a
bloody travail, end in dissolution and des-
potism at last
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
"secession and ooeroion..


~ The GAINESVILLE Chronicle, Of the 22d,
says:
The question as tothe right Of seces-
sion has ceased to be q practical one
Seven--perhaps eight-Sates have gone
out of the Union, and in doing SO claim
to have exercised power which proper
ly belongs to them, and out OF this act
springs the question: whether they are
not as competent TO determine what is
proper for them to do rs are the remain
ing States which take different view OF
their conduct. The Constitution is ST.
lent upon the right of secession, and
though we incline to the belief that a
State has no such right, yet II is a disput-
cd question, and the peculiarly of the
compact by which the Confederacy was
originally formed leaves the question in
too much doubt TO justify the States, in
one section, in any attempt at coercing
the States in another section because of
the exercise of this disputed right. But,
whether the weight of authority be on
one side or the other, in the absence of
a precedent by which to shape our con-
illusions, the controlling consideration
should be, which will be productive Of the
least evil, peaceable secession or civil war?
The Union can neither be preserved nor
reconstructed by force, and il is equally
clear that such an attempt will be follow
ed by untold horrors without the rcmot-
est prospect of increasing the happiness
and prosperity of the people, or of pro-
noting the cause of liberty here or else
where. Peace is the true policy, and
mono but demons could counsel o re
course to civil war
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
The Douglas Vote,

The vote for Mr.. Douglas in Tennessee
last November, was, to the best of our
recollection, ten thousand three hundred
and eighty-a fact which some fidgety
gentlemen should keep in mind. Wait
until the limits, the length and breadth,
the soundings and bearings, of the revo-
luton whose waves are now madly dash
ing against our borders, is determined,
before you commence rubbing down and
training your nags for the next State con-
test. Let the mourners and those on the
anxious seat wait, with fear and trem-
bling, and not push forth their budding
hopes and blossoming aspirations too ear
ly, lest cruel frost overtake and crush
them.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
+" Frightened with False Fire. /"


The telegraph conveys the intelligence
that Mr.. Lincoln, President elect, slipped
off from his company at Harrisburg, Pa,
and was struggled through to Washing
ton, like package Of contraband goods.
The cause alleged for this extraordinary
movement, was fear of assassination at
the City of Baltimore. Black Republic
canism and Southern Democracy, between
them, have done no little towards demon
alizing the country and unshacklng the
worst element of its population-they
have legalized plumber by the frequency
and magnitude of their populations, and
made rowdyism and brutality to be toll
Grated, if not respectable, by e.courag-
ing them in their party organizations and
drills. Still, we do not believe "Oi Dabe"
was in danger from the knives ofthe Plug
Uglies, or the pistols of the Blood Tubs,
whose feats have encircled the Monumen-
tai City with wreath of infamy which
years Of good order will hardly wipe out;
and his sneaking through the only slave
State he had to touch in his route to the
Federal eupituf,- under eover- of secrecy,
was contemplate and cowardly. What
sort of man is he to grasp the helm
and steer the tempest-tossed vessel safely
into port, who trembles before sensation
paragraph and fees when no one pursu-
ETH
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
Fighting in the Union.

A Washington letter writor gives the
following intimation as to the course
Virginia will pursue in the event the
Peace Conference shall fail to agree
upon some satisfactory plan of adjust
ment:
"There is a doubt whether Virginia
will fully secede, that is, virtually and
entirely withdraw from the Union at
once.
You will have noticed that Ext Governor
Wise is strongly in favor of contending
for the rights of the South within the
Union. How he is to do this has never
been yet fully stated, but it is presumed
that he will soon present his project in
detail. Meanwhile, | understand that
his plan is to act under the provisions of
the tenth section of the first article of
the Constitution. according to which q
State being ''in imminent danger" and
she being the only judge of the extent of
the danger, may, without the consent of
Congress, keep troops, take forts and
arsenals, and keep ships of war in time
of peace, enter into agreements or COM
pactswith other States or foreign powers,
and oven engage in war. The State may
do all this and still be in the Union, and
enjoy the advantages of the postal SER
vice of the Union. and the whole revenue
service, but levying tonnage and other
duties &c. She can also under this
plan, retain her Senators and Reprcsen.
tatives in Congress to defend and protect
her interests in the Union while she is
taking measures to secure guarantees of
her rights within it..
1t is suggested that the Virginia Con-
vention will put the State in condition
for defense now, and take possession of
Fortress Monroe and Harpcr's Ferry
Armory. If Constitutional Convention
be held Virginia will be represented
in it.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01

Harrisburg, Penn, Feb. 23.-The people
here were astonished this morning by tho
announcement that Lincoln had left in
special train for Washington.
The Baltimore Committee is here, but
did not have an interview with Lincoln.
Baltimore, Feb. 23.-Lincoln arrived
here at s o'clock this morning incognito
and went direct to Washington.
The ruse occasioned much excitement.
Reports were circulated at Harrisburg
that plot existed to assassinate him
while passing through Baltimore, but such
statement is not believed.
Washington, Feb. 23.-Ihe advent of
Lincoln early this morning creates sem
sation. He was met at the station by
several distinguished gentlemen, without
formality. and taken to Wizards Hotel.
Lincoln yesterday was advised to como
hither without delay. At 10 o'clock Lin
coin, accompanied by Seward, paid his
respects to President Buchanan, spending
few moments in general conversation,
when he was introduced to Senator Big
Ter and John Cochrane, who happened to
be at the White House.
c. III. Van Wyck, member of Congress
from New York, was assaulted by three
assassins, last night, on returning from
Preston hlngS room to his own resi-
dence. Van Wyck shot one of the as sail
ants, and was considerably injured him.
self.
Fort Kearncy, Feb. 2G.-The California
Pony Express of the 18th has arrived.
The California Legislative Assembly
adopted reolutions endorsing Critten-
den's Compromise opposing coercive
measures and urging the Senate's concur
renee.
Indications are that the Breckenridge
and Douglas wings are about uniting.
The Republicans and Breckinrid gers
are still staving off the election of United
States Senator.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
A Tremendous Hoax.

The New York papers have hoaxed the
public with great cock-and-bull story
about scheme laid to assassinate Mr..
Lincoln, somewhere between Harrisburg
and Baltimore. The story is well enough
told, though transparent as glass, and as
devoid of foundation as Oh Dabe's speech
es are of good sense. The object we sup
pose is, to fire the Northern heart. and
stiffen tho backbone of such Black Re-
publlcans as have shown disposition to
yield to the just demands of the conser-
yatiye men OF the middle States.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
Meigs County.

1t was q matter Of more than ordinary
qualification to us to see Meigs county so
largely represented at the Celebration
here last Friday. Large numbers of her
citizens were present and participated in
the demonstrations and the response of
Mr.. G. S. Peake to the welcome of the
Committee of Arrangements, was patriotic
in sentiment, and happily conceived and
delivered. We had been led to believe
that nothing good could come out of
Nazareth, but now, when storms are
gathered around our beloved country and
the howlings of the tempest are heard,
Meigs shows herself among the readiest
in manifesting devotion to the Union and
the Constitution--the ark and covenant
of our fathers-and she will be the last
to give them up. All hail to gallant
Meigs! She has put the brand of repu-
diation upon those of her degenerate
sons, who, in thoughtless moment,
pledged her to immediate secession."-
Long may she shine--a beacon-light and
bright spot in what was once a dark and
sterile waste!
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
The Episcopal Church Divided.

IN LOUISIANA the PROTESTANT Episcopal
Church secedes with the State. A pastor
al letter from Bishop Polk, of that do
cese, contains this passage:
"Our separation from our brethren of
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States" has been effected, because
ne must .toitoo our nationality. Not because
there has been any difference of opinion
as to Christian doctrine or Catholic usa-
ges. Upon these points we are still one.
With us it is separation, not division
certainly not alienation. And there is
no reason why, if we should find the
union of our dioceses under our national
Church impracticable, we should cease
to feel for each other the respect and re-
gard with which purity of manners, high
principles and a manly devotion to truth
never fail to inspre generous minds
Otr relations 10 each other hereafter wW be The
relations zoe both no,0 hold 10 Tie men of our
mother Church of England."
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
Southern Congress-.

Montgomery, Feb. 25.-In Congress to-
day resolution was adopted instructing
the committee to inquire as to the pres
ent condition Of the public lands. Mr..
Rhett announced that the Committee on
the Permanent Constitution would re-
port on Wednesday. The injunction of
secrecy was removed from the postal bill,
and also from the followingappointments:
Henry j. Ulett, of Mississippi, Postmas-
ter General; j. p. Benjamin, of LOUISE
ana, Attorney General; Commissioners to
Washington, Mr.. Abroman, of Louisiana,
Mr.. j. Crawford. of Georgia, and Mr..
John Forsyihc, of Alabama. 1t is ru-
mored that Mr.. Mallory, of Florida, will
be the Secretary of the Navy.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01

CUsToM HOUSE INSTRUCTIONS Custom
House Port Of 81. Louis, Wednesday, Fe5ru-
arg Is, lSGl.-The following instructions
have been this day received from the De-
partment at Washington:
"rhe action of officers under the au-
thority of the State of Louisiana, in under
taking to collect the duties on imports,
receive or cancel warehouse or transport
alton bond, cannot be recognized, and
importers at interior ports cannot be re-
leased from their liabilities to the United
States, either by paying the duties de-
handed by the State Collector at New
Orleans, or by his cancellation of trans
portation bonds"
The attention of merchants and i'm.
porters is called to the above, and they
are requested to act accordingly. Here.
after duties on goods coming to this port
must be paid at this office.
DANIEL II. DONOVAN, CoPtr.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
War Feeling in .Louisiana.

Baton Rouge, Feb. l9.-Since Mr.. Lin
coins late speech, foreshadowing coercion
a policy, war is deemed inevitable. No
apprehensions are felt of the conflict in
the South. On the first demonstration
by the Lincoln Government the -Proyis-
ional Government will send Immediately
a large army to the North. The South
wifi never wait to be invaded One hun
dred thousand dollars were asked for to-
day IN the Legislature to put the forts on
the Mississippi in complete defence. An
appropriation bill amounting to one mil
lion five bundled thousand dollars passed
the House.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
From Washington.

WASHINGTON Feb. 25.-Senate.-- the
miscellaneous appropriation bill the Chi
riqui amendment was rejected by o vote
of 20 against %. The amendment re-
pealing The act prohibiting the purchase
of patented articles by the Secretary of
War, was passed.
House.--Sherman in urging the neces-
sity for concurrng in the Senate amend
mcnts to the tariff bill, said that OH the
advent of the present Administration, the
public debt was twenty millions, with
eighteen millions in the Treasury. Now
the public debt is ninety-six millions, and
the Government must flIave cigbty-eight
millions for the next fiscal year. Allthe
Senate amendments except those on ten
and coffee were concurred in, and the
bill passed. .FH Etg
Baitimore, Feb. 25.--A dispatch to the
American says aletter from Southern
member of the Peace Conference, says
peace will be preserved and the Union
restored. Results ON all points satisfy q
majority. I4s
The Government has received dispatches
that n large expedition from Galveston for
the Rio Grande is fitting out. with the
declared object protecting the frontier
in the event of the withdrawal OF the
United States troops. Ed. sl
The proper authorities have Informal
ton of an attempted plan to shoot Lin
coin at the Inauguration.
The debate in the Peace Conference
to-day was very exciting. Once Guthrie
and some of his friends were so much Of
Tended that they left the Hall threaten
ing not to return, but they subsequently
returned.
Kings draft on Guizot. Assistant Trea-
surer of Louisiana, for $500, 1000 has been
dishonorcd as Dix's had been. I'D
Nc'c Orleans. Feb. 2G.-'rhe election in
Galveston and Houston resulted in favor
of Secession by a strong majority.
Washington, Feb. IIouse.-Corwin's
motion to postpone the volunteer bill till
Thursday, which Stanton said would kill
it, prevailed BY vote of 100 against "A.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
Position of the Border States.

The National Intelligencer says: 1t is
important to remark that, while por-
ton of the politicians in the Border
Slaveholding States are urging the peo-
pie to identity their destiny immediate
ly with that of the Seeding States tho
more sagacious citizens of the latter clear
ly perceive that the welfare and safety of
all concerned, to say nothing of their po-
litical harmony, will be better consulted
by a retention of the former in their
present Federal alliance. To this effect
the Mobile Ala Advertiser, in its num-
Der of the 18th inst, remarks as follows:
"An arrangement will be concluded on
some terms, and the Border States will
remain in the old Union. The result of
the recent elections in these States leaves
no room to doubt this result, and we of
the new Confederacy must make up our
minds to do without them, at least for the
present. Nor do we regard this as ca
lamity to be feared or dreaded. We are
rather disposed to think that they can
be of greater service to us as members of
the Union than they could be as members
of our own Confederacy. They will be a
moral breakwater against the current of
fanaticism and hate setting towards the
South, and by their position in the Fed
eral Government will compel it to hold
hands Off from the Southern Conlede-
racy. 1t is preposterous to suppose that
any of the Border States will permit a
Government of which they form part
to make war upon the South, bound to
tbnn, hy tips of lin. lro1 -,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
Departure of an Old Friend.

Our time-honored friend, Squire WIN.
LOWRY, who had lived at Athens for more
than forty years, has moved to the vicini-
ty of Charleston, Bradley county. There
are some hearts that never grow old, and
his is one of them. We shall miss his
stately form from our streets. and his &C.
NAL presence and social converse mors.--
May contentment and prosperity abide in
his new home, and the descent along life's
sunny slope prove peaceful and happy.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01

3 Subscribers living in the town will here
after call or send to the printing-ofiice Tor
their papers, as the system of carrying
round" will be discontinued after this
week. The paper goes to press on Thurs
day evening, and about halfthe town sub
scribers call for their papers before the
Carrier starts. This gets up confusion and
subjects us to loss OF twenty or thirty
papers every weck--an expense we are
anxious to avoid these stringent times.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
/" Hard Times"

The Southern papers say there is an
immense amount of suffering among the
laboring classes North--and the North
ern journals regale their readers with de-
tails of distress and starvation at the
South. Both are alike untrue, and who
ever believes either will believe lie.--.
That there are individual cases Of priva-
ton and wnnt in both sections, is always
true; but that the past winter has been
marked by an approach to general desti-
tuition and want, is not true. Every
death which occurs in New York or Phil
adelphia, under peculiar circumstances,
is heralded through Southern prints as a
phase Of Northern society, while the
Northern press reeks with mendacious
accounts Of evils an wrongs endured and
suffered at the South. The alienation of
the two sections, and the troubles now af-
flicting the country, are the legitimate
fruits Of this system Of elimination and
e-crimination, which has been going on
for years; and peace and harnpny will
never be permanently restored, until the
press passes into the hands of men capa-
BILE Of something better and nobler than
a studied misrepresentation everything
beyond their own Immediate neighbor-
hoods. There is rot in thszSouth one
journalist in forty that king &hy thing
of the real state of society az the North,
or of the ebb and flow of the currents Of
public opinion there. There is not in the
North one editor in one hundred who
really knows any thing of the South and
its institutions. Yet each INDUCES in
constant elimination and labors inces
sanity to mislead ana prejudice the PEG
pie of the respective sections. And even
now, when the country is trembling on
the verge of dissolution, the warfare Of
Misrepresentation and abuse is carried on
with redoubled violence by the vultures
who thrive and fatten on popular preju
dice. We would rather be the lowest
thing that crawls the earth than rear oui
children on bread obtained by such means
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01

n<S~ The letter in which John G. Cali
houn announced to the Legislature of
South Carolina his purpose to resign his
seat in the United States Senate, dated
November %, 1912, closes as follows:
That the State may long retain her high
standing in the Union, and that the
Union itself, with our free and happy and
glorious institutions, may be transmitted
to the latest generation, shall to my last
breath ever be my ardent prayer.
With the highest respect, am, &C.,
~ a john G. CALHOUN,
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01

p6y~ Greeley says: The States which
have not gone are begging to have some
thing to keep them. They lovingly pro-
ject their coat-tails behind, and implore
that they may be held be it ever so gently
The slightest twitch would be satisfactory
A good pull would fill them with delight.
This may seem to be INDUCING in unbe-
coming levity for so grave an occasion.
But it is really difficult to take q more
sober view of the case.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-03-01
Ratification in Texas.

The Galveston "Civilian" says, from
present appearances, there will be no
organized or decided opposition to seces-
sion in the election to take place in Texas
on the 23d inst. The Union men find
overturcs from tho North too slow and
unsatisfactory to afford any encourage
ment of a settlement of our present diff
culties in the Union, and the public mind
seems no LONGER divided.