Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-25
Gov. Harrs. and the citizens, Bank.

GOv. Harr7s and the CtffZeus' HANK
From all accounts which we have received
Of Che discussion at Memphis Col. NEITHER
s.AND most effectualIy turned the flank of the
Governor in regard to the Citizens Bank.
Gov. HARRIS at several points on the route
from this city to Memphis had held up that
bank to public Indignation, and characterized
il as "a stumbling coacen' The Democratic
owners of that institution reside in Memphis,
and when Col. NETHERLAND repeated the style
of phraseology in which the Governor had
been accustomed to describe the bank, Gov.
HARRIS was in haste TO deny that be had ever
used the language imputed to him. His
memory was treacherous if he had ever done
so. he called upon mis- competitor to state
the places at which he had used the term
" s,ondIe" Col. NETHERLAND refreshed his
memory by reference to the debates at Gala
tin and Springfield. The Governor, to use
popular term, % seeakened,' and attributed the
language to the heat of debate. The Govern
or is, it would seem, bold and fearless in de-
nuncia1ion OF banks in localities where it is
Thought possible to make votes by such
course, but he would " roar as gently as
sucking dove " when there is danger oflosing
them. The Memphis Enquirer on the morning
after the discussion sealed the question as to
the fact of Gov. HIS use Of the imputed term,
by quoting from the letter of Sumner coun-
ty Democrat, written to and published in the
AUaLdnche of that city ascribing the same Ian
guage TO him.
We understand that Mr.. MERRITT, the dem
ocratic candidate for Floater in this district,
used some severe language in regard to that
institution in his speech at the Court House
on Saturday, and we have little doubt that
the Citizens Bank will generally receive
merciless excavations at the hands of Demo
cratic candidates throughout the State. 1t
affords magnificent field for illumination a
gainst the Banking system. and the anti
bank party will show it no quarter.
The Memphis APpeoL. democratic organ.
which on the bank question has for some
time held that interesting half and half
position so accurately described by demo-
cratic member of the last Legislature, at
rempts, in its issue of Sunday, to retrieve the
damage resulting from the Governors fauI
pas. and the not altogether handsome manner
in which it eventuated. 1t appends report
of the rejOindcrs in which the pasSage-at
arms on the question occurred. In the re-
port of Gov HARRIS remarks we find the fol-
lowing language:
.'He had said at Gallatin and every where
else, and should continue to say, that Col. n.
had voted for the charter of the Citizens
Bank and that be supposed that Col n. had
thrown around that Bank Charter such re-
strictons and guards as he deemed neces-
sary to make lis issues safe to the people: yet
that Bank bad failed, leaving 100000 or
$500, 900 OF its circulation in the hands of the
people. which had been selling in the market
from 20 to 80, ard 40 cents on the dollar; thus
resulting in loss and injury to the people"
Here is a charge against Col. NETHERLAND,
and through him against the party which he
represents. that he and they are responsible
for the charter of the Citizens Bank-iis Ii
cense of powers and lack of salutary restric-
tons, and as a consequence, the suffering and
loss caused by its failure to the people of the
State.
How stand the facts of the case? On page
7I8 of the Senate Journal OF 1872 is re-
corded the following facts: That Mr.. FOGG,
the Senator from Davidson on the third read
ing of the Citizens Bank Bill proposed to
restrict it to issues Of notes of denomina-
ton not less than fire dollars. On this PROPOSE
ton But ONE DEMOCRAT votes aye, and eUery
other member of Cor HIrris's party on the floor
Of The Senate Uotes no. The votes of these De-
mocratic gentlemen would have passed this
wholesome restrictive clause, and prevented
much of the evil caused by the failure of the
bank. Who is responsible?
Mr.. FoGG also offered an amendment re-
serving the right to alter, amend or repeal"
so as not to destroy the vested rights of this
charter, thus enabling the legislature to re-
train the course of injudicious management
of this bank should it become apparent. On
this proposition BUT ONE DEMOCRAT VOTES AYE.
and euery other member Of Cor. HIS party in The
Senate at tie time Uotes no. These Democratic
votes defeated this curb upon the Citizens
Bank. What party is responsible?
We state this for the information of Gov.
HARRIS, but nevertheless, wo to the Citizens
Bank when Gov. ii. gets into another safe
locality, and from the Democratic candidates
at distance from Memphis. The hills of
East Tennessee are to ring with the echoes of
the fierce anathcmas which are to be poured
upon its head.