Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-10
The Bank OF Tennessee. px1


OF late articles have appeared in several
of the democratic journals of the State. out
side of Nashville, condemning the system OF
banking pursued by the Bank of Tennessee.
In these articles, tue distinguished President
of the Bank, Hon, CAVE JOHNSON, has either
been entirely. ignored or treated as the mere
puppet of the Cashier, who it is pretended.
is solely responsible for the management of
the Institution. In yesterdays Union and
american, a long communication of similar
character appears. If it be true that the
directory, composed of majority of demo-
Gratis, and the democratic President, have per-
Amitted themselves to become mere subordi-
mates of the Cashier, an officer of their own
creation, the fact must go far towards con-
vineing the people that the democracy are an
unsafe depository of high trusts, involving
.pecuniary interests. But, we do not at pres
ent believe the charge. We do not believe
that either the directory or the President,
have SO little regard for duty, are SO lost to
.self-respect, as to occupy any such degrading
position. If they are of that description Of
men we have heretofore totally failed to com
prehend their character. We suspect that the
authors of the charge do not themselves be-
lieve it. We think it possible that they are
not quite so courageous, not exactly so candid,
as they might be, and are endeavoring really
TO make the Cashier ascape-goat for what they
consider the sins Of omission and commission
on the part of the President and Directory.
1t may be, too, that there liz some one behind
the curtain who has an axe to grind. and that
he is at the bottom of these democratic at
tacks upon the President and Directory
through the Cashier We have heard it in-
smated, even, that there is "little NOM
not the ''little mon wild a big wig on" of
whom our friend HIcKERsoN was wont to tell
but some other one, who is ready and will
ing to accept of the Cashership, if, by hook
or by crook, the present incumbent can be
supplanted. How much this desire to sup
plant MFR. MORTON may be the governing mo-
tive of the war upon the Bank of Tennessee,
in the democratic journals, we cannot say. If
nothing of this sort prompts them, it is due
TO the public that proof be given Of the allie
cations affecting the President and Directory.
If the Bank of Tennessee, under democratic
management, is controlled by man alone
we wish the fact substantiated, that the people
of Tennessee may know how to act in future
when the party comes before them for re-
newal of its lease upon the government OF
the State and the Bank. During the admin
isirations of the Wing party we heard no
allegations of this character. No one man
was given the power of an autocrat in the
bank whilst they had power; and if such
thing has happened under the rule of democ-
racy, it should be the means of crushing the
party. Out with the evidence, gentlemen.
Whilst upon this subject We desire to ask
also for information as to what is to be the
policy of the democratic party, relative to
the Bank of Tennessee and banking generally. |
1t is desirable that the people of the State
should be informed touching matters of such |
vital interest TO them. Is the Bank of Ten
nessee to be strengthened, and made the inst
tuition upon which we are to depend in future |
for sound circulating medium upon specie |
basis; or is it to be discredited broken down |
if possible, and forced into liquidation, pre-
paratory to the Inauguration Of an exclusively |
metallic currency? Whatever the democratic
policy is to be, let it be fairly and honestly, |
Independently and boldly announced, so there
shall be no mistake; and then there can be no
doubt when the people have pronounced upon
it. as to their verdict.i