The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-08-08

caItltu out, NOulu huu tnir Nhst nuiouh'
} to our public debt at moment when the
} treasury was reeling under the enormous
expenditure OF the war.
} Again, it seemed to us that this reso.
luton was but the annunciation of a
sentiment which could not or was not
likely TO be reduced to an actual, tapgi.
BILE proposition. No movement was then
made to provide and appropriate the
funds required to carry it into effect, and
we were not encouraged to believe that
funds would be provided. And our be-
lief has been fully justified, by subsequent
events. Not to mention other circum-
stances, it is quite sufficient for our pur-
pose to bring TO your notice the fact that,
while this resolution was under conside-
ration in the Senate, our colleague, the
senator from Kentucky, moved an
amendment appropriatmg S50O, 900 to the
OBJECT therein designated, and IL was vo-
ted down with great unaninity. What
confidence, then, could we reasonably
feel that if we committed ourselves to
the policy it proposed. our constituents
would reap the fruits of the promise held
out, and on what ground could We as
fair men, approach them and challenge
their support
The right to hold slaves is right ap-
pertaining to all the States of this Union.
They have the right to cherish or abolish
the institution as their tastes or their in
terests may prompt, and no one is au-
thorized to question the right, or limit
its enjoyment. And no one has more
clearly affirmed that right than you
have. Your inaugural address does you
great honor in this respect, and inspired
the country with confidence III your fair
ness and respect for the law. Our States
are in the enjoyment of that right. We
do not feel called on to defend the insti-
tuition or TO affirm it as one which ought
to be cherished; perhaps, if we were to
make the attempt, we might find that we
differ even among ourselves. 1t is enough
| for our purpose to know that it is right;
and, so knowing, we did not see why we
should now be expected to yield TO it,
We had contributed our full share TO re-
lieve the country at this terrible crisis;
we had done as much as had been re-
auired of others in like circumstances,
and we did not see why sacrifices should
be expected of us from which others, no
more loyal, were exempt.
Nor could we see what good the ma
ton would derive from it. Such sacri.
flee submitted to by US would not have
strengthened the arm of this Government
or weakened that of the enemy. 1t was
not necessary as a pledge of our loyalty,
for that had been manifested beyond a
reasonable doubt in every form, and at
every place possible. There was not the
remotest probability that the States we
represent would join in the rebellion,
nor is there now; or of their electing to
90 with the Southern section in the
es ent OF . recognition OF the independ-
ence of any part of the disaffected re-
gion. Our States are fixed unalterably in
their resolution to adhere to and supper.
the Union; they see no safety for them
selves and no hope for constitutional lib.
erty but by its preservation. They will
under no circumstances consent 10 its
dissolution, and we do them no more
than justice when we assure you that
while the war is conducted to prevent
that deplorable catastrophe, they will sus-
tain it as long as they can muster man
or command a dollar. Nor will they ev-
er consent, in any event to unite with
the Southern Confederacy. The bitter
fruits of the peculir doctrines Of that re-
glon will forever prevent them from pla-
cling their security and happiness in the
custody of an association which has in
corporated in its organic law the seeds of
it's destruction.
We cannot admit, Mr.. President, that
if we had voted for the resolution in the
emancipation message Of March last, the
war would now be substantially ended
We are unable to see how our action in
this particular has given, or could give,
encouragement to the rebellion. The
resolution has passed; and if there be
virtue in it, it will be quite as etficacious
as if we had voted for it. We have no
power to bind our States in this respect
by our votes here; and whether we had
voted the one way or the other, they are
in the same condition of freedom TO &C.
cept or reject its provisions. No, sir; the
war has not been prolonged or hindered
by our action on this or any other meas.
ure. We must look for other causes for
that lamented fact. We think there is
not much difficulty, not much uncertain.
ty, in pointing out others far more proba-
bic and potent in their agencies TO that
end.
The rebellion derives its strength from
the union of all classes in the insurgent
States; and while that union lasts the war
will never end until they are utterly ex-
hausted. We know that at the incep-
ton of these troubles Southern society
was divided, and that large portion,
perhaps a majority, were opposed to se-
cession. Now the great mass of South
ern people are united. To discover why
they are so we must glance at Southern
society, and notice the classes into which
it has been divided, and which still dis
tnguish it. They are in arms, but not
for the same objects; they are moved to
q common end, but by different and
even inconsistent reasons. The leaders,
which comprehend what was previously
known as the States Rights party, and is
much the lesser class, seek to break down
national independence and set up State
domination With them it is war
against nationality. The other class is
fighting, as it supposes, to maintain and
preserve its rights Of property and do
mestic safety, which it has been male to
believe are assailed by this government.
This latter class are not disunionists per
see; they are SO only because they have
been made to believe that this admins
tration is inmical to their rights. and is
making war on their domestic institu.
tions. As long as these two classes act
together they win never assent 10 a
peace. The policy, then. to be pursued
Is obvious. The former class win never
be reoonoiled, but the latter may be-
Remove their applehensions; satisfy them
that no harm is intended 10 them and
their institutions; that this government
is not making war on thoir rights of