The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-09-03
Massacliusetts--HOn. John Quincy
Adams.

Adams.
This young statesman, who is acquir-
ing a national reputation, has recently
been nominated for Governor of his
State by the Democratic Party. His
address to the nominating convention
is published In the papers, and contains
some things which we deem worthy of
consideration by the people in this sec
ton, and. without further remark, make
such extracts as we can find room for:
DEAD ISSUES.
And first of all, upon matters of ma
tional politics, although they do not en-
ter this debate; yet it is proper for us
to propose what we deem the wiscst
course to steer. In my Judgment. our
defeat in the last election substantially
settled the reconstruction and negro
suffrage controversy-much as we may
dislike the decision. There is no way
short Of revolution by which it can be
reversed certainly for four--and. con-
sidering the complexion of the Senate
of the United States, now the effective
Government of the country-probably
not for ten years, at least. This insures,
at any rate, fair trial of universal, un-
qualified suffrage at the South; and
even when its failure is asccrtained, it
is probable that all men will agree that
no sweeping measure of disfranchsc-
ment would be cXpedicnt. The barba-
rian ballot then should be regarded by
wise party as no longer legitimate
subject of discussion. 1t has passed
from the realm of debatable questions,
and should not be classed in the catego-
ry OF facts. Arguments for andagainst
its adoption were admissible last au-
tumn but now they are out of place.
We can not advocate or help it. We
must accept that it is as one of the ele-
ments in the problem offered for our
solution, and address ourselves to that
as affected by this inseparable moditica-
ton.
THE TRUE COURSE OF WISDOM.
AS things actually stand to-day, what
measures will best serve the general
welfare? This, gentlemen, with great
Difference to difference of opinion, seems
10 me the only course open to us. TO
act otherwise would resemble the wis
dom Of general who was beaten in bat
tie, which he had joined, in order to
cover certain points should, after the
victorious passage Of his opponents, and
occupation of the disputed territory,
rally his army anew, OIL the old battle
field and there fight an imaginary foe,
while he leaves all behind him to the
unopposed progress of his antagonist.
Let us leave such strategists to hang off
their big guns at empty woods and
waste their ammunition upon the de-
bris of battle-tields, while we press on
to assume a new position full in the en-
emy's front where. when we have re-
stored our lines and reunited our ranks.
successful battle may yet be fought and
redceming victory won. In this spirit
we would say to our former fellow-cit-
liens in the excluded provinces "Come
into the Union, stand not upon the Or
der of your coming. but come at once !;
when you are in, and we can act as fell
w-citiZens once more, we will meet
together and consult upon future meas
ures." This, gentlemen, in brief, is the
spirit which, as it seems to me, should
animate our action upon past issues for
the present and future are very impor-
tant in these days. and will allow us
scant time even to celebrate funeral rites
over our dead past. Eternal activity is
the price of party living, and the road
behind ia strewn with carcas6Ss of the
factions which could not see that in
politics dead principle is mere pre-
iudice, nauseous to the people. Vague
defamation upon natural rights or
wrongs, whether white or black, female
or otherwise, no longer delights a peo-
pie that is being gradually taxed out of
honco on1 bnmo Tho man ,yhD G,,J-
it daily more difficult to furnish his
children bread, will relax his anguish
that the negro has a vote; the most pas
sionate lover of his colored kind may
recognize fellow creature in planter,
if they both agree that the price of coal
is an outrage, the duty on iron swim
die, and the tariff an abomination to be
abolished. In truth, it is high time that,
after some twenty years Of a refreshing
season for the national soul, we should
take short term of attention to the
public body-which needs it badly
enough.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
undertake to say that there is no ma
ton in the world which is taxed as we
are taxed. No wonder that the men
who work for wages grow desperate as
they decline in well being and estate.
No wonder that the air is full of strikes
and labor movements and associations,
and demands and protests of working
men and women. They are in the right
in their unrest and uprising, although
the practical measures proposed as rem
edies are sometimes unconsidered and
for it is true that the system
of taxation they endure is not only on
erous, but practically operative in the in
terest of capital alone. 1t is true, as
the very able and candid Commissioner
of Revenue says and proves, although
the aggregate wealth of this country is
increasing, probably as rapidly as at
any former period, yet it does not fol-
low that there is the same increase in
general prosperity. The laborer, es-
pecially he who has large family to
support, is not as prosperous as he was
IN 1860; his wages have not increased
in proportion to the increase in the
n