The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-05-22
"a Word TO Republicans"

Herald aud Tribune, a leading Repub,i-
can journal of the First Congressional
District:
| WORD TO REPUBLICANS.
! As our readers are well aware there
are large number OF candidates for the
different county Offices, aud among these
the proportion of Republicans TO those
of the opposite party Is comparatively
large. There are several organizations
/ in the county which recent develop.
Incnts have shown TO have political
tendency. Ii is well known that the
/ Democracy have taken more active
part in organizing these different organ
/ izations than they have done in connec-
/ ton with any other enterprise either
social. financial, religious or educational.
They have as rule been the leaders
and the most active participants in all
the proceedings OF the various associa-
tons, and while we would not inten.
| tionally misreprcscnt their motives, we
would warn our Republican friends In
the most delicate manner possible that
perhaps their movements will bear
watching, We know that many Of their
most influential and enthusiastic leaders
are also active and aspiring politicians.
Ii may not be amiss for us TO look into
their motives, and enquire whether or
not they arc more Interested In thei,
own personal ggrandizemeut than In
the agricultural, commercial or manu-.
featuring interests of the country. There
have been many things said and done
which smack strongly ofdemagogueism.
We dislike very much to designate these
seemingly disintercsted, self sacrificing
men as so many political demagogues
seeking to promote their own interests
by fostering and encouraging in one
class Of our citizens an unjust and dam
aging prejudice against another; but
"bv their work we shall know them"
If their motives are pure and disinter-
estcd the promised benefits will soon be
seen and felt, aud the grateful recipients
viii not be slow to acknowledge the
obligation. On the other hand, il they
arc actuated entirely oy selfish motives,
their designs will be apprchended and
the remedy applied at the proper time.
We have IN Tho past encouraged these
organizations, aud earnestly desire TO do
so in the future. We have at the same
time repeatedly warned them 10 avoid
politicians aud ignore politics altogeih.
er; aud TO devote .hcir time to the dis.
cussion of matters Immediately con-
meeting with their domestic pursuits.
This was aud is the OstenSible object
Of the different associations, and most
of those who have united with them
have done so with the distinct under
standing that politics were 10 be entire.
" excluded TO what extent this poll
CIV has been carried out the events Of a
few weeks will show. For the present
we can only advise our Republican
friends to look well TO their interests.
To preserve their party organization In
every district aud in every neighbor.
hood. If the opposition desire to unite
with us in any movement calculated 10
promote the general welfare, they arc
welcome to do so but when they ask
us TO put men in Office whose whole
lives have been devoted 20 the estab.
lishment OF principles in every way OPP
posed to those we have professed, the,
are asking more than we can afford to
give. We have everything TO lose and
nothing to gain by such course.
We are well aware that the great
BODY of the farmers who have taken
part in these different organizations are
honest and upright men, aud among the
best citizens of this county. We also
believe that they are opposed to making
it secret political organization. These
remarks are especially trne as regards
the organization known as "Putrons of
Husbandry." But VIC arc also aware
that there are many who have united
with them for the sole purpose Of ad.
vancng their own political interests.
II is to these and such as these, aud
not to the organization rs body, that
these remarks are meant to be applied.
Our object is 10 warn the main body
against the Vaccinations Of the few who
have Joined it with the deliberate inten.
ton OF making il n stepping stone to pc.
litical power. Let politics he excluded
and we are with them heart aud soul,
but we do and shall insist that politics
and politicians shall not control their
movements.
We desire that political parties Or
ganized upon different platforms should
maintain their respective positions. We
desire that the Republican party should
exclude all side issues, such rs are
sought to be introduced by men Of the
opposite party. with tho design Of nc
complishing what they never yet have
been able to do while our organization
was kept intact