Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-05
Iutere... of n g Poor.

Interests of IL Poor.
The Banner thinks that "to question the moral
right or moot the economic proprety of species OF
propertyo sensitive as that Of slavery in the bosom
of a community, a majority of whom have no imme-
date personal interest in it, greatly to impair its
security-to depreciate its value and to initiate the
means for its destruction"
We will not charge that the Banner intended the
insult which these words convey. On the contrary
we scarcely think our contemporary studied the
effect of its language. But what grosser insult
could be offered to the poor! That it is not safe to
discuss IN their presence the economic proprety OF
species of property (slaves,) IN which they have
no immediate interest? What is it but to tell them
virtually that they are fools and knavesi Does it
follow, because a man does not own particular
species of property that he has therefore no mme-
date interest in its economic propriety! That be-
cause own no land, therefore have no imme-
date pecuniary interest in the security of land
titles, or the products of the farm? That because
own no Bank stock, / have no immediate per-
sonal interest in the sovency of Banks? Let ex-
anime this question a moment, Notwithstanding the
Banners fears.
To bring it more directly home, let as suppose
that the policy of the Black Republican party had
at last succeeded in single town, the town of
Nashville. Suppose the negro freed, and placed
upon level with the white man. He is no longer
the servant of the white man, who is at present
bound to feed and clothe him and look after his
general department, but is thrown upon the world
to shift for himself the best way he can. Cufy has
to live as well as white folks and he must either
steal or work for it. Now, although a may
Ell,
lose by thieves. And even though he be so poor as
TO have nothing that sheriff could lay his hands
on, he may yet without any very lofty aspirations,
feel that he has an interest in promoting a sound
morality. And without any very great arrogance
most white men might feel that neither their moral
or social status had been much improved by the
elevation of the negro to an equality of rights
with the white man.
All this upon the suppositiOn that the negro has
not yet been raised that other step which he has
attained in some of the Northern States-thst
he is not yet voter. What then! Has the
poor man no interest in preserving the ballot
box exclusively to the white man, because he owns
no negro' Good government depends upon the ap-
pointment to Office of men who are honest and capa-
ble and the appointment of honest and capable men
from whom they receive their appointment and in
proportion to the number of ignorant and dishonest
voters, SO are the chances of corrupt government
and ultimately the substitution of strong govern
ment from which the poor man is deprived of all
participation.
What would the Bonner say, If it were pro posed
Co exclude the poor man from all participation in
legislation upon any species of property of>which
ne were not the owner, upon the ground that he
had mo immediate personal interest in it," We
shall not affect to believe that the Banner would
countenanee such proposition for moment And
yet upon the basis of his own argument he would
be bonnd to defend such proposition, if it were
made.
But again, suppose man own neither real estate
or Bank stock can we say therefore that he has no
immediate personal interest in their security
Suppose fire occurs, and instead of flying to the
rescue as he always does from a motve-to his
honor be it sSid-aboye all pecuniary calculation
the Door man folds his arms, and looks on with in
difference at the devouring element, as block after
block is consumed until as last all are reduced to
ashes except his own humble dwelling. Merchants
Bankers and all reduced to ruin. He retres to rest
thanking his stars that as he was not the owner of
any of the burnt property, he had therefore no I'M
mediate personal interest in the calamity with which
slis Keighbors had been visited. Lucky man! He
mad not eFen craeclin to loose
lie starts his accustomed round in the morning
in search of employment Goes to his old employ.
ers. but Is told he has work for him. He goes
90 another and to another. All make the same re
ply He begins to feel little sad He begins to see
what he had never perhaps before clearly seen
that while the rich man, was dependent upon him
for his labor, he was dependent upon the rich man
dor kis money. But he is not yet in despair. dc
qlas few little bills yet due him, which VIII Guy
bread and meat for his family until something will
turn up to set him on his legs again. lie presents
his bills to A B. and c., but all answer, they are
unable to pay. The little they had on hand was
consumed by the Ere, and their deposits in Bank
are worthless, because they too have gone by the
beard.
Now all this is an extreme case and will never
perhsps be realized to its full extent Bet to what
ever extent it does happen, it Affects every member
of the community, though it may be never so little
Take the case of a failure in the crops The me
ch.nic has, perhaps, learned his political economy
from the BaRRx, and he fatters himself that De
cause he is not farmer he has no immediate per
canal interest in the success OF inc larIer et us
sse Az the farmer has made nothing of course he
can't ma the merchant the merchant in consequence
!. unable to pay the bank and the bank is therefore
unable TO pay its debts that is to redeem its paper
Now it is not every that takes the pains to ex-
anime all the connecting links by which So
.,etv is bound together in common inter
est vet we have all, unfortunately, seen
and felt the sad effects of bank suspensions
and bank failures Every man in the community
has learned by sad experience that he has an inne
-iiate personal interest in the sovency OF BANKS
though he.msy never have owned a dollar oil bank
stock in his life.
In thecase which ne have supposed OF snort
CROP It will not matter Ehethec it had Its origin
in the act Of Coda bad season, ar the act OF Adolf
aonism, in striking down slave labsr. The Immedl-
ate effect is the same. In the first case, however,
the evil may be repaired by more favorable sea
AOn next year In the latter case the loss is perna-
uent.
The wealth of a country depends mainly upon its
labor. 1t matters not, whether it be mechanical,
-ariculturAl commercial manufacturing or what