The Athens Post

Our friend of the Knoxville Register manifests quite an ardent disposition to find fault with the President of the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Company, and displays a zeal in behalf of the enterprise more characteristic of a new born convert than the suggestions of a prudent and politic mind.—It is true, the President should keep his eye and his ear both constantly turned in the direction of Knoxville, and should take no step without first ascertaining beyond the possibility of a doubt that it will receive the cordial and unqualified approbation of the Register and a few others, who seem, by one of those extraordinary and unaccountable obliquities with which wise men are sometimes afflicted, to have got it into their heads that there is nothing to do to complete the road but to advertise for bids and let out contracts. The same resolutions which instruct the President to advertise for proposals, also require him to make a call of 5 per cent. on the stock recently subscribed North of the river. Perhaps the Register would like to enquire why that has not been done, or rather why that stock has not been returned and entered upon the Company's Books. He need have no fears about the extension of the road towards Knoxville—the work will be carried on as rapidly as the stock is paid in. It cannot be executed without the means to pay for it. We know the President very well, and know that he will perform his duties, honestly, faithfully, and efficiently, and without fear, favor, or affection. We must be allowed to suggest to the Register to keep as cool as possible on the subject—the intemperate zeal of imprudent friends is sometimes more hurtful than the most strenuous efforts of open and avowed enemies. It has only to "keep dark and sing low," and not display quite so much ill nature every time any one presumes to question the policy of commencing work on the grading above the river before the means are in hand to pay for it, and every thing will move along about right and in good time.—But if it continues its carping and threatening kicking up its heels and making a noise at every one who does not yield the most profound attention to its elaborate suggestions and hasty recommendations, it is possible it will succeed in stirring up an opposition that may prove troublesome. We repeat, the imprudent zeal of indiscreet friends will do more to prevent immediate extension, than any efforts of a hostile character that may be made. We do not say it through any unkind feeling towards the editor, but the whole course of the Register on the subject has been marked by a want of judgment and policy not expected from one of its age and experience. Blinded by its own bile, it strikes indiscriminately at friend and foe. A different course, or dignified silence on the subject, would have a much more wholesome effect.