The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-09-25
To the People of Tcnncsscc--Cam =
paign Address.

TO the People of Tcnncsscc--Cam-
paign Address.
ClTIzENs After anxious dcliberation
and consultation with many able and
discreet persons, the Democratic Exec
utive Committee of Tennessee have re-
solved upon an active and vigorous
prosecution ofthc canvass in the pending
contest for the Presidency, in behalf of
Seymour and Blair, the nominees of the
Democracy of the Union. In this con-
test we lock shields and march shoulder
to shoulder. and hip to hip, with the
party who struggle for The restoration
of the country to the principles upon
which it was framed in l7S7-S9, and
administered by Washington, Jefferson,
Madison and jackson. Our warfare is
with party that seeks the overthrow
of these principles by q subvcrsion OF
the Constitution and revolution of the
mountaineering instead Of nicely
balanced representative Democracy, a
mobocratic Capitalization of power III
ono branch of government
The events of the past three years
show that nearly one hundred PROPOSE
| tons have been offered in Congress to
amend the Constitution that the Lcgis-
lativo Department has transcribed its
powers by usurpng those of the Judi
cial. and taking away those of the En-
ccutiyc; that it has declared that it is
the only representative Of the supreme
will of the nation; that under this de-
claration it has assumed to rcmould and
dictate to the coordinate departments,
and concentrated all the essential pow
crs of government in its own hand !;
that it has denied TO the States those cs-
scntial rights to their safety and happi-
ness that were never before questioned;
that they have arbitrarily and without
cause or warrant placed ten States of
the Union under martial law and ruled
them by the sword, and finally dictated
to them terms upon which they should
have voice i'll public affairs.
The progress of this restoration of
the government has been as bold and
rapid as it has been rockies. 1t is against
this change in the organic structure of
this government that the Democratic
party of the Union has protested with q
unanimity, an ardor and tirmncss. never
before cquallcd in the history of con-
tests at the ballot-boX. They have invi-
ted us to join them in the noble and
patriotic struggle, that we may share
with them the glory of Il triumph which,
they tell us, is almost assured, and en-
Joy with them the blessings of liberty
and republican government, which will
otherwise be lost to us and our postcrity
forever.
Our response is, owe GOMEZ" We en-
ter the lists and join hands with our fell
low Democrats of the North, the East,
the South and the West, plcdging our
selves to do all that may be done to put
the revolutionists to flight and save to
ourselves and the world liberty and JUS
tice flowing from constitutional re-
public.
In coming to this determination, the
Executive Committee have not been I'M
mindful ofthc difficulties and cmbarass-
mcnts which we confront. We have
realized the magnitude of the proscrip-
tions and expressions that have fcttcrcd
us for three years, and the present auto
cratic powers over the ballot-box pos
scssed by the Governor and his plant
instruments.
But we feel it to be our duty as free
men. the descendants Of freemcn, and
the inhcritors ofliberty as birth-right,
to make the struggle.
We therefore appeal to the people of
the State en- masSe, to unite with us, and
with the powerful national Democracy
in the campaign, and to organize with
put delay for the final day. The ticket
for Electors for the State at large is
complete in the second, third, fourth,
sixth and eighth Congressional districts.
Electors are yet to be chosen or appoin-
ted in the three remaining districts
Let thlsDc done Immediately. "A plan
OF canvass VIII DC sent within lew
days TO the various counties. In the
meantime, let the democracy OF each
town, county and civil district organize
its Seymour and Blair clubs, enrolling
the nam,s of non-votcrs as well rs vo-
tiers, andgo actively and vigorously to
work to !oll as many votes as possible.
a large lass of our voting population
has bccldeceivcd, cajoled or frightened
into the 'upport of the Radical party.
They ar being undeceived; let us now
press OF the work until they shall be
convinced OF the Radical enormities of
of the hncs. The arguments for the
purpose ire pressing and strong. BY
WatChtlllCSS and industry: bV Drll-