Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-07-15
sa- We were not aware that oar article

nB- We were not aware that our article |
on the ''Pass Law" was damaging DR..
Menees so much until we read the last
Jefersonian. The effort it makes to break
the force of that article, and at this late
hour, is proof sufficient of the estimate it
places upon its effect upon the public
mind. Our neighbor says, in extenuation,
''the law in worse form has been stand
ing upon our statute books for more than
half century, and no noise has been
made about it." That may be true but
statesman should know that although
habit may reconcile us to iniquity, time
can not conseerate it, Were such a plea
admissible there could be no wise progress.
The JeffersOnion says further, Or. Menees
is not charged with voting for the law, but
simply with refusing to vote for the amend
ment of Mr.. Whitthorne." The amend
ment, here spoken of, was to repeal the
whole of the lay Published by us, and in
voting against that amendment, DR.. Menees
voted for the law IF he did not like the
law, he would have voted for its repeal !;
and not voting for the repeal, he voted for
the law as it stood But that he did vote
for the law, the Jeffersonian notwithstand
ing its denial, admits when it says of the
law, "that it is much modified in the new
Code ,chich Dr. lMenees roted"
But to make his defense more efficient,
the Jeffersonian charges that Con. Quarles
admitted, at Turnersviile, that he would
have voted as DR.. Menees did, had he been
in the Legislature. We do not know up
on what authority this statement is made,
but beg leave to question its reliability
until further advised We shall take the
earliest opportunity to learn the facts, and
report the result The looseness with
which such things are reported is too well
known to entitle rumor to implicit credence,
and we think Mr. Quarles will repudiate
this constituting of his language into an
endorsement of DIR. Menees, uncondition-
. ally
1t is a waste of time, however, to dwell
longer uopn an article which bears, so dis
> tinctly, the stamp of humbuggery. The
facts are before the people, and the record
! is the best proof that can be adduced in
their support; and until the Jeffersonian
can successfully impeach that record, We
. are content to rely upon it. The fling al
! our motives is worthy of its paternity, and
silence is the most significant answer
II Boy 1t seems to be conceded by all
e parties that the withdrawal of paper money
will reduce the price of property one half
c though the advocates of that policy con.
q tend that the reduction would be whole
! some one. Whether this be true or false
% its effect upon the debtor class would be
s most ruinons, as it would take the price
q of two negroes to- pay an amount which
:, and so of all property. Clarksville ant
Montgomery county have subscribed three
e hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the
! Railroad, interest on which sum has to bt
h paid for thirty years, and to raise the mon
ey 60 pay this interest tax is levied upor
. the property of the citizens. Now if tn,
: value of this property is diminished on,
q half, whilst the rate of interest is unchang
n ed, the rate of taxation must be correspond
q Yingly raised to produce the given amour
! of interest. This is plain proposition
. that all can understand; and when it il
: remembered that this increased taxation il
% accompanied by decreased means of paying
l, it, the oppressive character of locofoc,
policy can not be misunderstood. Blu
there is yet another hardship attending it
~ This interest must be paid in gold-and S,
must the principal-because silver is not
legal tender for more than five dollars
Where is the gold to come from to pay thi
! heavy public debt? The State and incor
=, pOrated Companies owe enough to requir
i, all the gold we are entitled to- for the mex
=, thirty years. Where are we to get it, an,
!. enough besides for the private wants of tn
! people? The Hards had better reconside
n the folly of their policy.
e Fact for tho paoD1o