Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-08

1t is proper. in this connection, that cal
your attention to the report of John Heriges,
Keeper of Public Arms, herewith Transmitted.
showing the number. character and condition
IF the public arms of the State, and respect-
fully recommend that yoa provide for the
purchase of such number and character of
arms, for the use of the State, as may be ne
cessary to thoroughly arm an efficient mill
tary force.
regret that I cannot close this communi-
cation with the foregoing recital OF facts per-
tanning to the allimportant political crisis OF
the day.
But comparative failure of crops for two
successive years, with the destruction of COM
mercial confidence, resulting in the suspen-
sion of commercial transactions, general
stagnation of trade and financial embsrrass
| ment which pervade the whole country, with
| its ever-attendant evil of general pecuniary
| distress at the beginning of which many OF
the banks in the State suspended specie pay
ment, thereby mourning the penalties pre-
scribed in the banking code of the last ses-
| sion.
1t is asserted, aud suppose truly, that the
condition of the banks was such as not to
make suspension necessary on their own ae-
count; that by the adoption of purely self
| ish policy. they could have weathered The
| storm and sustained themselves, but to have
done 90 they must have cut of all discounts
and enforced the collection of their debts from
| the people, which would have increased the
| general distress. 1t is also urged with great
earnestness, by very large number of peo-
pie, that you should pass laws for relief, and
| in order to enable The banks to afford the
greatest possible assistance to the people
| until another crop can be made, that the PEN
alties incurred by the suspension Of the banks
should be released.
While I am confident in the opinion that
the suspension OF specie payment by the
banks is wrong in principle and tends TO de-
preciate the currency and unsettle the stand
ard of value. am equally confident that the
policy of relief laws, to which this general
pecuniary distress has driven he public mind
is. to say the least OF it, of doubtful policy.
and generally injurious in their ultimate eff
fects upon the community. The idea of free
ing the people from pecuniary distress by
legislation is, to my mind, an impossibility.
Yet so universal is the anxiety expressed, and
SO confident the hope of relief from the adOp-
ton Of the policy suggested, that while can
not concur in the truth Of the argument. or
recommend the adoption of the policy, 1 do
not feel at liberty obsiinately 10 stand ne
tween the people of the State and their chosen
Representatives, to prevent the adoption of
such legislation connected with these ones
tons as they may think will promote their
interest and general welfare.
1 therefore submit to your consideration
these questions for such action as you in your
discretion may see proper to take with regard
to them.
/ am aware that there are many questions
of general character with regard to which
the constituents of m ny of you desire legis-
lation, but having convened you in extraor-
binary session, upon what l conceived to be
an extraordinary occasion in the history of
the country, and feeling the necessity of
prompt and immediate action upon the alb
sOrbing questions connected with the political
crisis of the day, have Intentionally avoid
ed submitting any Others than those TO which
have especially called attention, trusting
that no material interest will suffer by being
postponed until the next regular session of
the General Assembly.
With the earnest hope that your session
may be short and agreeable and deyuutly
trusting that an Al-wi-e Providence may
watch over your deliberations aud guide aud
direst you in the adoption of such measures
as will rebound to the general welfare.
peace, prosperity, and glory OF our State
and country, the questions, franght as they
are with weighty responsibilities and fearful
ly important consequences, are respectfully
committed to your hands.
ISHAM G. HARRIS.
On motion of Mr.. Payne it was ordered
that 5000 copies of the Governors MESA sc
and accompanying documents be printed Tor
the use OF the Senate.
On motion the Senate then adjourned till
tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock