Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-05-03
The Debate. Between the Candidates for
Gnvprn0r.

The Debate. Between the Candidates for
Governor.
Gov Harris opened the discussion by rendering
his thanks to such of the people of Davidson county
hOnOred him With their support in the last Gov-
ernOrs election, and for the many courtesies he had
received at their hands during his residence among
them. He had endeavOred to discharge the duties
of the Official trust which had been eonided 20 his
keeping in that manner which, in his judgement,
would best promote The public good. Hewas again
the candidate of his party for that high Office and it
remained for the public to determine how far they
approved the msnaer in which he had discharged
his official duties.
He remarked that he was insug1rsted on the eve
ofthe suspension Of the Banks and consequent COM
mercial disasters of 1857; resulting from a wild and
reckless system of expanded paper circulation, and
the overtrading ana speculatiOns which such sys-
TEN unnecessarily eDgenders. As the Chief Executive
of the State, he had recommended TO the Legislature
then in session, such reforms as, in his judgment
we're demanded By the circumstances of the times.
Those suggestions, in the main, met the approval
Of the Democratic majority Of that body, were en-
bodied in law and placed upon the Statute book
Of the State. The fruits of that measure we're now
beginning to exhibit themselves, and he was proud
to know that was the result of Democratic policy
contrary 10 the omonous predictions of the oppO-
nents on it's adoption. Exchange upon tho CONNER
DIAL cities of the North, which were exhoTbitsntly
high and could scarcely be obtsined at all, have
since been brought down TO par, and, in 'soms in
stances, have been at discount. The amount of
paper circulation has been materially decreased and
the amount,of precious metals in circulation among
the people prOportiOnstely increased
The Democratic party, consistent with their priu-
ciples, stand pledged to continue these reforms
by wise and prudent legislation until the last Wis,
.tsse Of the evil is removed In brief time he
hoped we would have no notes in circulation that
were not payable at the counter where issued, and
convertible at the will of the holder he hoped,
also soon 10 witness the entire withdrawal of snail
notes from circulation and the substitution of gold
and slverin their stead AID thus relieve partially at
least the labOring classes from broken or depreca-
ted bank paper Whatever of merit there is in this
policy tits due to the Democratic party through whose
votes alone il was carried in the legislature 1t had
been adopted az a part of the platform of the DEM
ocratic party that private and speculative corpora
tions intended for the public good, should never be
placed beyond the reach Of the PEOPLE; but should
be kept at all times within their control, the
emily means Of guarding against the evils and abuses
which irresponsible body may inact upon the
public This position met his most hearty appro
val, aud be would advocate ii from one end Of the
State to the other. He desired to know what posi-
tiOn his competitor would occupy on this question
He referred, also, to the position taken by him
SELF and the Democratic party generally, in the
Of 1857 against any further increase Of the
indebtedness of the State Hewas gratifed to witness
the good results which had flown from this policy.
Our credit as a State at a ruinous discount
our bonds ranging from 65 to so cents in the mar
ket. They were commanding 93s with ten,
dency upward. This, too was the result Of Deme-
cratic policy.
Gov HARRIS said that when be appeared as can
ddate two years ago before the people, he was cou>
fronted with competitor who claimed to be the
representative OF the American and Wing party.
new state of things presented itself to-day That
party had either passed away or assumed new
form His competitor had been put forward as the
nominee Of the "OPPOsITTOS," party. Gov. II.
asked why this change: What circumstance had
brought it about? What necessity had suggested
ii for what purpose was it to accomplish? These
were pertinent inquiries which he desired his com
peitor to explain for in their solution was involved
much that was important IN Lhls CANVASS. A Drie1
review Of parties for few years past and refer,
snoe to recent events he thought would furnish an
answer to them.
There had always been, he said, opposing par
ties in this country, and fundamental differences
dividing them. One of the chief differences was
in the mode of constituting the Federal Constitution
the Democrats having always eOntended for q
strict construction OF that instrument as necessary
to preserve the reserved rights of the States and of
the people from the dangers of federal eneroaeh-
msut; whilst the Opposition, under whatever name,
had insisted upon loose and liberal construction
in order to carry out the eystsm Of legislation which
they had always sdvocated.
For twenty years the Wing and Democratic par
ties had their principles clearly defined. In the |
early period Of that time Abolitionism was but /
crazy faction at the North By the CONCESSIONS and
aceessions that had been made to it from time to
time, by che Wing party, it gradually grew into i'm
portance out was found 10 be rapidly denationsl-
iEing the old Wing party. The election of 1882
which gave the Wing candidate for the Presidency
but four States demonstrated its speedy dissolution
The Wings Of the South began 70 experience the
effects, and many to recognise the cause, Of the
evils resulting IRON alaiudnous construction Of the
federal compact. Northern AbOliliOnisn had seized
hold Of it for their sectional and faRalical ends The