The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-07-15
Democracy and tic Banks--Hold

American, showing the position Of that
organ to have been in fvor Of "a pure
and dunadulteratedha hard-money currency
We havealso republishcd the proceedings
of the meeting Of distinguished and IN
fluential leaders, held in this city in Sep
temberof last year, taking decided ground
in favor of an exclusive metallic culren-
cy, by refusing to re-charter any Of the
existing banks, and to wind up the State
Bank at the expiration of its charter.-
This meeting was participated in by Gov.
johnson, who was twice elected Governor
of the State, and -.wa. then sent, by
unanimous vote ,aASZR W. to. the SEN
ate of the Us .~o%SsSd who, in
his last message 49, ,onT sistafe, Rfew
days before his terihyoI. office expired,
said:
"In recommending to your considera-
ton the propriety of winding up the
Bank of Tennessee, Il cW not Je inferred or
understood by any, that am IN fapor Of The
creation or eo'ttirtaace Of Sock or Free Bdt,ks.
! WOULD BE IN Favor OF WINDING THEN ALL
UP, so soon as it IS practicable or consist
ent with the commercial, agricultural and.
mechanical wants of the country to do so;
believing as do, that the whole bank
ing system in the United States is FOUND
ED IN ERROR, and that all Ranks having
their origin in such a system must neces-
sarily contain the elements of their own
I Destruction, and as a general rule will,
sooner or later, result in ruin and fraud,
! producing great injury in all the business
transactions and morals of the communi-
ty wherever they may be located"
These sentiments he has reiterated du-
ring present canvass, saying, in speech
at Greenville, in the broadest and most
emphatic terms, that there was no such
distinction among Democrats as "hards"
and "softs," that if there was any differ
ence, it was "hayd, HARDER, HARDEST" I"
Whilst the Union and American was
denouncing banks and banking in the
bitter terms, we have heretofore quoted,
that paper said;
eve have never known healthier
tone to pervade-the Democratic press up
on the subject of banks than at the pres
ent time. From epe,y portion Of tie country
they are en,inemyonkodor, and in substance,
SPEAK the same language. Never before in
the history of the country have the prac-
teal advantages and the soundness of the
democratic theory in favor of a uniform con-
stitutional currency been so torcibly illus
trated as at the present time"
In the selfsame article in which this
healthy and orthodox tone was joyously
heralded as pervading the democratic
press, the following anathema occurs;
pointing the orthodox to the true demo-
cratic faith:
"There are buSsfew of the initiated
who understand the art and mystery of a
Faro Bank or Lottery. There are very
! few, however, but what can understand
that they are Instruments Of fraud and s,0ind-
lgg upon a community. So WITH OUR PRES
ENT LOCALIZED BANKS. THEY AXE
EATING CANCERS UPON THE BODY PoLITIc, and
tie sooner rcmored He Jeter."
This was at time when there was no
canvass pending and when no motive of
temporary policy could have operated,
and were the voluntary avowals of lead
ingmen and organs in exposition Of their
own feelings and of the 'dtmocrqtic theory
of currency. But ifany other evidence
were wanting as TO the true creed oi
the democratic party, as party, on the
subject of the currency we have at hand
a witness in the Gallatin Examiner, pa
per which occupies an Independent posi-
: ton, whose editor formerly conducted q
leading democratic organ in this city,
whose knowledge of the democratic con.
fession of faith is probably as full and ac
cTate as that of any other Democrat in
! the State, and who has never wayered oi
wearied in fighting the battles Of the
party, thus defines the party creed Of De
mocracy on the subject of currency:
'.And now word To- those democrats
who have given away to the seduction, o
Bank Parlors. And we desire to say i
with every feeling of respect and kind
ness. They hapegoRe outsidSFof Ae pale 0
he party, and unless they return, anC
that very speedily, they viii have built
: wall which will have shut them out com
pletely. We kH0so that Il Is ,sysd that opposi
| Ion 10 all Banks Is not q plank IL The democrat
&c platform. .THEY ARE MISTAKEN. 1t mal
not have been formally Incorporated, bu
nine-tenths of the party in Tennessee arr
as hard as adamant on the Bankquestion
and but for the detection of just sucl
men-at the right moment--eoalescin
with the paper party, aiding and abettinl
) them in their scheme-the democratic
IN its sentimJl NJ might call then
'fishy democrats--if we were SO incline,
? we would be justified by their course
l but we will endeaVor to refrain from epi
thets which might be taken offensively.--
, That Hey are going counter 10 the almost ,a
r pvsqi sentiment Of he party, IS certl6n. Tha
they are playing into the hands Of til
4 Opposition, is equally clear.
: Let those who fatter themselves tha
the present leaders of the demoorati
!. paftyrneon not to destroy the banks i
7 this State, weigh well the above decIArs
tions Of their policy and creed u Is
subject of vital eoncern to 'eYeIy cider
and will not admit Of being treated i
E eouivocal expressions and ,hinlaanin
phrases, as Gov. HAkeis IS doing. Le
I there be an explicit Understanding on al
/, hhands andlet the true issue Of an excll
i sive metallic currency, or mixed soio .
: gold and silver and convertible paper, &
''bcfore the grand inquest 81 the fss
{ pie -Nqsheihs Pat1os
DzS~ Its believed that the next steam
4 er from Europe will bring the news of tn
subjection OF Francis u Grund to imilifs
= ny service by the Austrian goyernment.-
Ills recall as diplomatic agent OF til
government having gone out, Atistri
viii seize him the moment il reaohc
1 him. Until then, his official capacit
exempts him from the claim.