davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
What Some Folks Think.
We clip the following from the last
number of the GAINESVILLE Chronicle.

We clip the following from the last
number of the GAINESVILLE Chronicle.
We have read the names of the Cen
trail Executive Committee, at Nashville.
and with the fact Of their appointment,
our knowledge of them ceases so far as
action is concerned. Their ability and
zeal we do not question, and thus allude
to them as prctcxt for urging prompt
action. 1t is important in our opinion.
that subcommittee be appointed, and
plan OF organization mapped out by
which we can ascertain the number of
those who are opposed to Radical rule
and also devise the most effective means
for giving weight to the popular scnti-
ment, now inefficient because not con-
ccntrated and cooperative.
Already there is u growing feeling in
favor OF Convention to remodel the
State government step that must MI
timatcly be taken; but it may be wise
to organize our forces as initiatory, so
that when the time for final action
comes we may have the full benefit of
strength which unity gives and all the
wisdom and moderation to be derived
from interchange Of views and mutual
enlightenment.
We are not one Of those who believe
that no Convention can be held unless
called by the Legislature. That body
is not sovereign, but the nero agent OF
the people ;and however convenient and
proper it may be to clothe the Legisla-
turc with that right, it is as an agent
the people being still the source of pow.
er, and if that agent abuse its trust, by
trampling upon their liberties and defy.
ing their authority, the remedy is in
their hands, and that remedy is a Con.
vention. 1t is a rightful assembling to.
gcthcr of the people for redress OF
grievances. The usurpers will call il
revolution; but it is resistance to tyran-
ny, and right inherent in every PEG.
pie. Its object is peace and political
justice and if collision follows the
movement, it will be because tyranny is
aggressive.
Not questioning the right or duty OF
the people to subvert the present gov.
eminent, we are anxious that it shall be
done pcaceably, and therefore urge a
thorough organization of the opposition
And should such a consolidation OF
public sentiment work no change in the
hostile attitude Of our oppressors, i,
may at least teach them the hopeless.
ness Of any attempt to arrest the pro-
grcss of the revolution.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
mississippi.
The paragraph below occurs in re-
cent letter from Holly Springs:

The paragraph below occurs in re-
cent letter from Holly Springs:
"Nevcr were any people more de-
spondent under any circumstances than
are the planters of North Mississippi,
at this time. They have nearly all sue
ceedcd in harvesting their crops; but
striking the balance sheet is what dis
turbes them most. The debit side cred
tied to the fullest extent of all the cash
they can possibly realize from all they
have made, stock, and in thousands of
instances, houses and lands, leaves a
terrible balance still against them. The
low price of cotton, short crops, etc,
have been too much for them, and nine
out of ten will tell you they are abso-
lutely ruined, broken up, and have no
idea what they will do the coming year.
The freedmen are in even worse c0ndi-
ton, for they have not even the actual
ncccssarics of life with which to enter
on another years labor. The planters
cannot supply them, as they cannot pay
their past obligations, much less incur
new ones for Il class of indolent people
who will seize every opportunity to de-
grade and ruin them. This is the way
the matter stands, and can see no way
to better it."
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
Brick POnerOy.

The editor of the La Crosse Democrat
writes to Pollard of the Southern Opta,-
tOn:
eve are fighting Republicans in the
North we ask you Of the South to keep
still-to endure but not iadOrse the pow
or that would murder you and rob US
We have as DemOcrats-as peo Jle-no
bitter words for the past. Wcare work
ing for the future, as our forctathers did
We ask you to raise corn instead of cot
ton. We ask you to endure, to live
poor, to support your families, to honor
your dead, to obey such laws as are in
force till the coming sense of the land
will do away with illegal ones and make
better ones. We ask you to raise for
consumption more than export If you
send nothing to New England except
negro paupers she will soon let you
alone. l would, if l had the power,
blast your cotton crops for the next five
years, till the hum Of the cotton mills of
New England had stillcd, and till her
voice was one of supplication for fibre
to make her machinery profitable"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
VOL. XVI---NO. 5.
General Grant.

The Nashville Union and Dispatch
has this to say in regard to General
Grants "reticence," which he has car
ried to such an extent as to excite ridi-
culc, if not more contemplate feel
ing:
A leading and dignifed journal has
made labored analysis of the causes
of and the motives for Grants rcticence
on political subjects. The result is the
conclusion that it is derogatory 10 his
character as man of moral courage,
sense. righteousness and uprightness;
and that he is Justly liable to the impu-
tation that his opinions are held subject
to such adjustments as may suit his in
terests as a Presidential candidate.
The latter is doubtless true but the
fact is, Grant hasn't got much to say
He doesn't know much, and is not apt
at acquiring. He is q mammoth hum
bug as a great man, in every sense. He
is clever, no doubt, as the word is gem
orally used, but has no vigor of intel
lcct nor of will, nor has he, in any posi-
ton that his marvellously fortunate ca
rccr has placed him in, exhibited those
lofty moral qualities, which in respon-
siblc situations, to a degree atone for
their lack, and inspire confidence in his
capacity to deal with wcighty matters.
The military success achieved under his
Gcneralship does not disprovc the esti-
mate Of him. Overwhelming odds in
the number of troops, and the largest
cannon alone saved him from disastrous
defeats. This is history. From out the
din Of guns and drums that sounded
over the exhaustion Of an opponent,
that, with all his advantages, he could
not fairly overcome. he emerged with
one of those regulations which the
more it is examined, the less there will
be found in it. In any other sphere
than that he was bred to, he will prove
himself even weaker and tanner; and
studied and selfish silence cannot con-
ceal it from the most Intelligent and in
quisitive people that ever set about find
ing things out.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
Our Present Congress.

The New York Jou1moI Of Conn.,
merce is reasoning with the London
Times, to show that the present Nation
al disgrace, the Rump Congress, is not
a nominal, but an exceptional feature of
our system of government:
GA term of stupid and prohigatc leg
islation, Qhe editor tolls us,) was needed
to bring the American people to an ap-
probation of the value of their form of
government and the power which they
hold in their own hands for the correc-
ton of all errors and evils incident
thereto. From the lamcntable apathy
into which they have been plunged for
some years past, the urgent necessity of
self-prcservatiOn has now aroused them
and we venture to predict that, after a
few more elections, they will effectual-
ly blunt the point Of unfricndly Eng
lish criticisms upon the decadencc of
craftsmanship in the American rcpub-
lie"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
The Convention of the People.

The New York Herald, abiding to
the proposition to hold National Con-
sentative Convention on the ODD of
February, says: "Such an asscmblagc
at this time is not necessary. The grand
Conservative Convention of the Nation
will be held at the polls next Novcm-
Der, when the people will cast their
votes for President and Vice President
in manner that will hurl revolution
lists, negro supremists and all black an
archists from power, and establish an
administration in which wisdom, JUS
tice, moderation and fratcrnal feeling
will prevail, and the now paralyzcd and
tamished South be restored in some de-
gree to her former prosperity"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
From Nashville.

Judge BRIEN, who failed to get the
radical nomination for Judge of the
Nashville Circuit Court, is d-n mad
about it, and Indignantly declines to
have any thing more to do with the
concern. A wise and virtuous conclu-
sion, which he should have reached at
an earlier day. The Judge accounts for
the milk in the cocoanut and the hair on
the animal thusly:
d. G. Love, Clerk have now signed
your minutes for the last time. / have
sent on my resignation. This / do to
make room for an office seeker and pOlit-
zeal trickster. am not aware of any
fault or want of ability on my part
/ can say with a clear conscience that l
have made you and your court faith
full and impartial Judge. l leave you
and your worthy deputies with my
highest regards, both as faithful, intel
ligcnt, upright, able officers and affable
gentlemen. But Notwithstanding this,
your Office will soon be required for
others. Honest, upright, faithfulncss
is no guarantee to Office now. The man
who is to succeed me is not identified
with us-has no interests here whatev-
er; he is without a dollars worth of tax
able property, and more still, without
any legal ability or qualifications,
Horace Ii. Harrison's and f. III. East's
recommendation to the contrary not
outstanding. lie is to be put upon
the bench to secure certain purposes,
which you may learn in less tnan twelve
months. M. Nj. BRIEN.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
The Intermarriage of Cousins,

Ex-Governor Magoffin, of Kentucky,
now member of the Legislature of
that State, has introduced bill prohib-
iting the marriage of first cousins, and
has supported it by mass of testimony
and statistics which is worthy of the at
tcntion of Legislators everywhere. The
Commissioners of the Feeble minded
Institution in that State report that a
very large proportion of the Idiots in
that institution are the offspring of
parents bearing this relationship. A
large proportion of the inmates of the
deaf and dumb, and of the blind and
insane asylums, are likewise the chill
dren Of cousins.
These statistics agree with those of
other States and countries, and only
confirm the deductions which physi-
clans have made as to the evil effects of
these marriages. 1t seems to be proved
that the mischiefs of in-and-in breeding
are not confined to the lower animals. =
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
Another Murder.

The Chattanooga Union of Saturday,
which contained an account of the exc
cution of HUFF, at Harrison, on Friday,
also contained the following:
:. VIM. Frier and jerry Fricr, brothers,
living on the river, six miles above town,
had an old dispute about some corn
Yesterday VIM. Frier sent to his bro
Their after some whisky. Jerry refused
to let him have it, because he was drunk
already. This SO incenscd William that
he took his rifle, rode over to his bro
theirs, called him out to the door and
shot him, the ball passing clear through
his body. According to one account, it
is said that the murderer then came to
town and bought coffin, which he had
sent out to Boyce's Station, and then
left for parts unknown. Another ac-
count stated that the murderer imme-
diately fed.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
Hard Times in Maury County.

A letter from Thompson's Station,
Maury county, to the Nashville Union
and Dispatch says:
For the year just closing l do not
know of farmer who will make cent.
1t will be remembered that large
amount Of ground was put in cotton
this year, and we do not know of sim
gle individual who will come out even
in his cotton raising, while the crops of
other descriptions have been almost a
failure, and in this state of affairs it
can be said we are almost out of "spon-
duliX.'
The amount of land planted in cot
ton this year gave employment to a
large number of negroes; but as the
raising OF this staple will be greatly di-
minishcd, if not entirely abandoned, on
account of the low prices Of cotton, and
the desire to plant small grain, we will
have Il large number Of this class of
people next year without employment.
This year the negro had all the adj
vantagcs that he could desire, and we
do not know of a single instance in our
where Il negro has not
come out in debt from amounts averag-
ing from S25 to $500. In speaking of
negroes who have come out in debt, we
only speak of those who were farming
for themselves. The people Of this
county, | believe. would raise cotton
another year, but the negro, with star.
Walton staring him in the face, is not
willing to work for any one. The ne
gro is to-day in Il worse condition than
he was previous to the late war, and
God knows that the people Of the South
are not responsible for it.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
T E R M S.:
TIE POST IS PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY,
At Two Dollars n Year, Payable
i'm Advance.

n1T No attention paid to orders for the paper
unless accompanied by the Cash.
Advertisements will be charged $3.50 per
square of ten lines or less, for the first inscr-
tion, and 70 cents for each continuance. A
liberal deduction made to parties who advcr-
tise by the year. -,
aT Persons sending advertisements should
mark the number of times they desire them in
serted, or they will be continued until forbid
and charged accordingly.
Transient advertisements must be paid for
at the time of insertion.
Announcing names of candidates for Office,
$500, Cash, in all cases.
Obituary notices over five lines, charged at
regular advertising rates.
All communications intended to promote the
cietics, or individuals, will be charged as
advertisements.
JOB WORK. such as Pamphlets, Circulars.
Cards. Blanks, Handbills, etc., will be exc
cuted in good style and ut reasonable rates.
All letters addressed to the Proprietor will
be promptly attended to.
COMMUNICATIONS, to secure insertion, must
be accompanied by the name of the authors.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
Murderer Executed,

Huff, the negro who murdered Kill
patrick, white man, on the 25th of Au-
gust, 1866, near Tyner's Station, was
hung at Harrison, Hamilton county, on
Friday last, in accordance with the SEN
tcncc of the Court. The Chattanooga
papers report large crowd OH hand to
witness the execution. The condemned
man admitted when on the scaffold that
he killed Fitzpatrick, but said the latter
shot at him first. Huff was born in
Lauderdale county, Alabama, and was
81 years of age.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
The gust.
Athens, Friday, January 3, IsGs
important Decision.

The recent decision of the Supreme
Court of this State, settling the liabili-
ties of Confederate officers for mill
tary acts performed under orders from
superior officers during the war, is n
very important one, and opens the doors
for vast amount of litigation in Ten
nessce. The Nashville Union and Dis
patch thinks that under our present and
prospective judicial organization, it may
be we'll for Confederate officers in this
category to look forward to the day of
Radical judicial wrath, and prepare
themselves accordingly.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
Bank Robbery and Murder.

A dispatch from Iavcrhil1, Mass,
says: An attempt was made at three
o'clock this morning to rob the Mcrri-
mac National Bank,-thc burglar first
having set fire to paint shop to dis
tract attention.
Joseph Burnham, a town Waterman,
heard an explosion in the Bank build
ing, and on entering the Bank was shot
dead by the burglar, who escaped. The
lock of the Bank had been shattered by
gunpowder. Mr.. Durham was very
highly respected. He leaves large
family.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
STEVENS OPINION OF THE CoLOREl

STEVENS OPINION OF THE CoLORED
LAWYER LANGsToN.-A Washington
dispatch, Of the oath, reports:
Among other remarks made by Thad.
Stevens to the deputation of loyal lea
gucrs that called upon him yesterday,
was one in reference to j. M. Langston,
the colored lawyer in the Supreme
Court. "Bewarc of Langston," cXclaim-
ed the old man: 6 am told he has been
talking Of the constitutionality of our
Legislation down South, and cndcavor-
ing to persuade you that we have trans
cended constitutional limits. Why it is
just such talk, such tiddlestick nonsense,
that Andrew johnson INDUCES. Be-
ware of him; he is dangerous man
and avoid all those fellows who pirate
about the constitution"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03

STANToN.-Washington advices say
the case of eX-Secretary Stanton has
practically ended. Several Senators
who hitherto were disposed to sustain
him in his quarrel with the President
have turned against him. Since the
fresh expose of his duplicity, the ex-
Secretary has fallen SO low that none
will do him reverence. lie has not a
friend on earth.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03

The ST THOMAS PURcHAsE.-A spe-
cial to the New York Evening Post says
prominent Senators now here, do not
hesitate to say that the Senate will dis
agree, by very large majority, to con-
sent to the purchase of the Island Of
st. Thomas. Senator Wade opposes
confirming the treaty, and is in favor of
censuring the conduct Of the President
very severely for the action already
taken by the Executive branch Of the
government.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
Riot at Montgomery.

A dispatch from Montgomery, Ala
bama, Of the 25th says:
The negroes were out in force to-day,
contrary to the municipal regulations
and military orders, with guns, pistols,
&C., and in full uniform. No effort was
made to suppress the demonstration
In the afternoon, several thousand ne
groes were harangued in incendiary
language by Barber, Brainard and 9TH
er prominent Radicals. Late in the
afternoon, Barber and Brainard were
arrested by the military authorities.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
HORSE THIEvEs.-The Memphis Post

HORSE THIEvEs.-The Memphis Post
says: "The horsc-thieves who infcst
this region have been actively at work
lately. No less than nineteen cases of
horse and mule stealing in the city, and
in the vicinity in different directions,
have been reported at police headquar-
tcrs since yesterday morning. Up to
noon to-day nine of the animals had
been recovered, and the detectives were
on the track of Others"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03

The Lynchburg Vilyiaia', of the
10Th ultimo, says: "James Roper, the
largest landholder and wealthiest man
in Jefferson County, Virginia, is dead.
Roper was a mulatto, the natural son of
an eccentric Englishman, who bequeath-
ed the most of his property to the re-
Gently deceased, who added greatly to
his patrimonial estate. Roper had
great faculty for acquiring property and
a mania for adding to his large landed
estate"
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
~ Radical Nomination for the
Presidency.

A Washington letter to the New
York Express says:
Gen. Grants letter to the President
endorsing the corrupt and dcspotic
Stanton has materially damaged, if not
totally destroyed, his prospect for the
Radical nomination.
Mr.. Speaker Colfax declared ycstcr-
day to Democratic friend that Grant
would not secure the nomination,-oth-
crs, equally well informed, declare that
Chase will have every one of the South
ern delcgates,-that this is fixed fact,
and that he, beyond Il pcradvcnture, will
be nominated on the first ballot. The
truth is, Chase has been engaged in
pipe-laying for the last two years, for
this very Object-and to promote it,
Sprgue's money has been freely used.
The National Banks, moreover, have
not been backward in coming forward
for their great progenitor. This is
the way the immaculate Chief Justice
and his satellites have blocked the game
against all competitors. This is the
way our modern Scion thimblc-rigs
his tcllOw-conspirators against the peace,
honor and welfare of the Common
wealth. Commend me to puritanical
saint whose dirty work is to be DONE
In this role they cannot be beaten by
any man of any other profession. RAJ
belias knew this-so did Montague-so
did Molicrc, and we shall all know it
bye and bye if we look sharp and watch
closely. The recommendation of the
lntelligenccr, this morning, as to the
eXpediency of the Conservatives and
Democrats fixing an early day for their
Convention, meets the appreciation of
all loyal Union men. The place sug-
gestcd, indianapolis, is also approved
1t is great railroad centre, and the
capital of very important State.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03

No DoUDT.-Somebody says the great
design of the Radical State constitu-
tons Of the South is to contine taxation
to the whites and political power to the
blacks.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03

ADMoNIToRY.-Thc Mobile Tribune
thus admonishes Judge Busted Of the
United States Court for the District Of
Alabama:
"Stand firm, then, Richard Busted,
snd we shall annoint you with the oil of
praise. Play Chameleon, and Wen bap-
tie you in Il hogshead OF sulphuric
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03

RAILRoADs.-The Bureau of Statistics
reports the total authorized mileage of
railroads in the United States at forty
four thousand miles, completed, costing
one thousand six hundred and tifty-four
millions.
The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-01-03
The Lesson of the Day.

The New York Express of the Oath
Mt, had an article on Christmas Day
which contained some seasonable and
striking thoughts. We could not per-
haps do better than to copy portion
Of it -
The great lesson of the day, is the
lesson of Forgiveness and Mercy. 1t is
Christian doctrine, that we are all Reb-
els against God, and are in need of his
forgiveness, 1t is also Christian doc
trinc that, to be forgiven we must for
give. Ii is day also, which above all
other days, counseleth peace. On that
day was born the very Prince of Peace,
and hence the disciples or advocates
of violence and vengeance have no bust
ness with Christmas or with Christ.
This is plain sermon, but it is an
eminently practical one. The august
event which men celebrate tomorrow,
is not religious sentimentalism,-
stupendous fact,-by which every
Christian man, and every Christian ma
ton must be tried.
Measured by that standard, then-the
Christian standard,-thc standard which
Christian man and Christian nations
profes, to fOllow,-we fear Gf the day
were one for melancholy meditation
there is but too much in what we are
doing as government" or u people,
which bellies our profession, and make
the accusing angel bear record against
us.
Ourselves, "rcbels," we are taking re-
venge upon millions Of our fellow
countrymcn, for rebellion rcpentcd
of,-praying in thousands of churches,
morning, noon and night, for pardon
we refuse ourselves to forgive. Suing
for mercy, we decline to be mercitul.-
Singing joyful praises to the Prince OF
Peace, we insist upon governing Others
by the sword. This may be loyalty
may be wisdom, may be craftsmanship
may be patriotism, so-callcd, but (what.
ever else it isl it certainly is NOT Chris.
tianity.
Nevertheless (hcaven be praised y the
same Gospel tells us of the birth of O
Rcdecmer, bringing pardon to Rebels
also tells us, that the powers of dark
ness are not always to have it their OWL
way. There is to be limit to thcil
"organizing hell" upon Earth, and Satal
himself is to be bound, at least, for {
thousand years. Even in these darl
days, then, in view Of that blessed time
coming, thanklcss indeed, and colo
must be the heart which, lifting itsel
above the cankering cares of earth, can
not i'll spirit beat responsive to the song
sung by the cherubim on the plains o.
Judca, long centuries since, and which
has been waited down to us, all along
the ages, "GLoRY TO COP IN TIKI
HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE AM
Coon WILL TOWARDS MENv