The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-10-02


the local affairs OF the people a will
destroy the last testige OF States rights
The tendency OF the Federal Govern
ment 10 Capitalization Is increasing with
alarming rapidity. Soon, Ii matters
proceed in the same direction thev have
been doing for some time, there will be
no remnant left OF the rights Of the
States, or OF local elf.government.---
The creature will absorb all the powers
OF he creator, aud this government will
be nothing more nor less than a great
central despotism. Rights OF person
and property, and all other local mat.
terra, which have been wisely left by the
trainers of the Constitution 10 local
Legislation aud local tribunals, will all
be absorbed bv the great Federal Mael-
strom. One of the great doctrines OF
the common law, handed down to uE
for generations, as bulwark OF liberty
and personal rights, that is. the right To
be tried by jury Of the vicinage, will
be taken away, aud men will be dragg.
ed from their homes upon the slightest
suspicion, TO be tried by jnries and tri-
bunals organized 10 convict. The i'm
preston which has been indusiriously
sought TO be made, viz: that immi-
grants are unsafe in Tennessee because
Of the spirit of law'essness which is
said TO prevail, is an unmiliga,ed SLAM
der without the shadow of foundation
in truth. We have in our State thou
sands Of Germans, Swedes, !rishmen,
Swiss. Italians, and men OF every ma.
tionality, and they will all testify that
nowhere are they received with a more
Joyous welcome, or are their rights aud
their persons treated with more courte.
sy and regard. Men have been elected,
and will continue to be elected by the
Democratic and Conservative party OF
Tennessee. 10 positions Of honor and
trust who were born in Europe aud IN
tho Northern States, some of whom
served in the Federal army during the
recent civil war. These malicious re-
ports are circulated with the two told
object of affecting our material inter-
ests, aud of gaining party triumph
among those unacquainted with the real
facts.
Although we ere fully awsre Of the
evil effects aud disastrous consequences
Of the Civil Rights bill to both white
aud black races in our State aud
throughout the Southern States gene.
rally, we propose 10 resist it only, to
use the language Of our platform, "br
legal and constitutional means" We
are opposed TO all forms of violence aud
crime. We exhort aud entreat every
man to respect and obey the law. Do
not resort To violence. no matter how
great the grievance may be, but rely up
on the more peaceabe and etficacious
remedies; for remember that violence
win only tend TO rivet the fetters which
have bee n forged TO bind your limbs
ln vain lei the net be spread which is in.
tended TO entangle YOU in is meshes, -
We, however, appeal with confidence
10 the enlightened sense Of Justice OF
our brethren of the Northern, aud es.
pecially Of the Northwestern States TO
save us and themselves from the dire
effects Of this most ruin0uS measure -
We are united with them, not only by
railroads but by navigable streams -
Our interests are their intprests--ihe
blow AT our prosperity must affect ihcm.
Ii we can become great agricultural
and manufacturing people, producing
cotton, sugar, rice, and, at the same time,
engaging extensively in the various
kinds of manufacturing for which odt
country ia so admirably adapted. we
will afford TO them the nearcs, and beat
markets for their immense grain and
other agricultural supplies The same
high tariff which opnresses us Ia draw.
ing their life blood. The same bank
monopoly which concentrates All the
money power in the East, and 1eprives
them OF sufficient currency TO transact
their ordinary business, and thereby
makes them dependent upon al EASTERN
money oligarchy, is grinding ~ and our
Industries to powder. The same leqis.
Ia,ion which produces an antagonism
between the races in the South. aud il
destroying peace, order and quiet, f.
materially affecting their interests, by
depriying them Of the Southern IfSr-
kets, which ought 10 he The best for
their productions. This Civil Rights
bill must Of necessity be the grca, cor.
trolling question, in local ms we'll ~ in
general elections. Too much depends
upon 1t for II 10 be ignored. Al men
who are opposed TO II should unite with
the party opposing II in all portions Of
:he United States, aud that isthe Demo.
cratic and Conservative party. Upon
this question there is no diversity of
sentiment among Democrats IN any part
of the country. In Maine aud Massa.
chusetts, in Indiana and Ohio. M well
as In Tennessee and Alabama. the
Democrats are unit IN opposition 10
this bill Of monstrocllies. Let all. then.
in Tennessee who are opposed 10 this
rfrite In this election with the
party pledged TO oppose II, aud by that
means endeavor 10 save our State aud
our ccuntr, from the calamtes which
are in store for us II this bill should be.
come law, and remain upon our stat
ute books. If II should unfortunately
be passed by partisan Congress, under
the influence Of unprinciplcd leaders.
we must raise the banner Of repeal and
call upon the people in all sections Of
the Union, who wish 10 preserve our
republican government IN fact and In
spirit, as well as in nam @, to rally TO the
cause OF the Constitution and the rights
OF the States and OF the people.
Il. L.. a A.