The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-01-29
THE TENNEssEE LEGIsLATURE.

oho ieAuiug iued, anu lnht ~ ~. own ocUl0c-
racy. Having an pntrammeled majority, the
democratic members seem intent upon stamp
ing their principles upon every thing con-
nected with Tennessee policy. For many
years the State has been opposed TO them, as
shown in the legislative department. OF
course there Is much to do, and though they
are puzzled to know what is most popular,
yet they nre determined 10 make departure
from the policy heretofore observed, SO that
they may show change, and therefore DIFF
ference, from the opposition. Democracy
must have distinctive features. For want of
something better, they welcomed the advent
Of Jacobs Ladder" "converging lines" the
approximation o! democracy to religion"
&c, as introduced BY their fayorite leader
Now that he has gone up another round on
this ladder, those nearer the earth are seeking
notoriety BY doing something to popularize
themselves. They succeeded in carrying the
State by a most singularly complex and con-
Trajectory system of tactics and measures;
and they are apparently confident that m ir-
reeoncileable theory and practice are emf
nently conducive to success. For example:
The President Of the Bank Of Tennessee re-
fused 20 suspend about the first Of October,
because, as he said in published statement,
there was not the slightest necessity for it,
and he was able to 60 through the storm
safely. In a few days the Bank suspended
Thereupon resolutions censuring the Presi-
dent were introduced, bitter speeches We've
made, and furious editorials written. 1t look
ed like the party had taken offense, and that
the credit system and the offending ms were
TO receive blow of the most fatal kind; but
when this same President and Board asked
for reelection, il was very promptly accord
ed to them, notwithstanding the preparations
Of certain faithful ones to supersede them!
To any and all democrats, It was right to
condemn, and right to retain these Bank
managers! submit yourselves to the pow
ers tina: be-" Again: A bitter warfare is nov
being urged against all banks and the credit
system generally. We are told that the de-
mocracy can alone be trusted; and that they
will place themselves right upon the record
during the present session. They even advo-
cate hard money currency as a sure guaran-
ty Of short credit, or no credit at all; and yet
a bill has been introduced to extend stay of
execution from eight TO twelve months. 1t
is difficult for any but democrats 10 see the
consistency of the two positions. To their
eye Of faith, however, !! is obviously demo-
ralizing to give man credit; but after the
credit hns expired, it is highly proper, rs n
relief measure, that he should "stay" the
debt twelve months longer. 1t is confidently
believed that this measure is advocated by
only two classes of our members at Nash
who think it would be popular
and those who know no better. How many
are left to oppose it, we are not informed
If the creditors should apprehend lengthen-
ing of the stay, ofcourse very many of them
would sue at once and avoid being postpon.
ed four months longer. If the law should
pass, almost every one would sue where
here there was the least Uncertainty rs to
The debtors promptitude or sovency. The
has sod on n credit of twelve
months, and thismeasure would nllow two
yeats to his debIor, while he must pay the
wholesale merehint in four or six months, or
ose character for promptness. This throws
he burthen upo, the rich apparently, and
provides "laddr" for the poor. That is
he prestige for which the democracy seek;
but this is no ,elief measure. Production
md consumption demand and supply, credi-
.or and debtor, are terms of about equal i'm
port One account balances the other There
s usually us much due one way as the other,
md anything that benefits creditor must, of
afford aid to the debtor. In times
If monetary distress the creditor suffers more
han the debtor-f indeed there can be my
severance of the two characters. But they
Usually blend in the same person. A. is in
iebt, and not willing TO sacrifice property, he
'sks his debtors to pay him. They refuse to
10 so, because their debtors will not pay
hem. But A. is n conscientious man, and
links Il dishonest to falsify his promise; or
,e is poor man and cannot afford to lose
lie credit. He must therefore make sacrifices
o meet his engagements. Thus virtue Is
punished, and dishonesty is at premium
Would it not be better to aid the man who
eeks to get his own back again, that he mny
'ay his own debts, rather than to encourage
hose who are keeping and living upon the
ubstance Of others!
Take the Legislature ms body, and 1t is
for radical partisan tendencies;
or want Of real moral courage; for intes-
inc feuds and struggles for leadership; for
ealousy Of each other on small scale; and
or general ineficiency. If it we're rail road,
We would say it's chief business lie to freight
half; il book, It is blank one; it a school
f morals, ii is badly taught; if valley, tits
ry; If q mountain, barren;-but if we regard |
as thing of which nothing is expected,
We shall not be disappointed.
The MANIA FOR OFFIcE.-The Washing
on correspondent of the "South" says:
The insatiate office begging has got to be