Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-05-09

2 N"''VA NASHVILLE DNioN' Llgnttei
months ago every material interest o
Clarksville was in aourishing, pros
porous condition. Il IS true two shor
crops at the South, while those at In,
North had been bountiful, had very mucl
increased our indetedness to our North.
ern neighbors, and this, too, in no small
degree for the means of subsistence. But
it was not so great that industry, econo-
my, and a smiling Providence, would not
have, in very short time, enabled the
South to hquidate the entire debt. Her
resources are great and inexhaustable.
Failures there would have been beyond
a doubt. These have been the concomi-
tants Of trade and speculation since the
world began. But what of that? Sup
pose merchants and spectators had gone
by the board, by the acre, and what
then Such a state of things would
have brought poverty, and distress, and
modification to individuals, no doubt !;
but il would not have intercepted or i'm
peded, for any considerable time, the
general prosperity, The commercial
commissions Of 1888 and 1857 did not
produce such a result, Notwithstanding
the spread crash among mercantile
men. The South was deeply in debt,
but not beyond her means and resources.
What was true of the South IN general
was true of GAINESVILLE Our merchants
owed large sums at the North, but this
was because the planters had failed to
meet their liabilities to them. The sta
pie products Of the country were in de-
mand al. high prices, and two or three
crops world have afforded relief TO nearly
all. Bat asst was, the pressure was not
so great as to produce general distress or
general stagnatiOn. Commerce flowed
on in a full rich and fertiizing tide
through its accustomed channels, yield
ing its usual profits, and furnishing pro-
titable employment TO thousands. The
demand for labor was good, and all who
were willing to work could find employ
ment at remunerating prices. There is
no disputing the fact. If any one doubts,
let him seek information among the I'M
employed mechanics who have nothing
to do. Every breeze did not then watt
to our ears the walls of suffering from
the families of poor widows, destitute
Of the means, of obtaining the absolute
necessaries of life; but instead therhum
Of cheerful industry, and the voice of
gladness from peaceful homes, made hap
Ply by the absence Of want, Money was
not as abundant as it had been at times,
because agriculture had not poured its
usual bounty into the lap of the hus
bandman, and filed his barns with
superintendent plenty. This was due
to unprOpitious seasons. But our
banks were in sound condition, and
their notes convertible into coin. We
were not then cursed with a depreciable
paper cmrency--rags upon which mere
promises to pay were written. Exchange
was abundant and cheap Our college
academy, public and private schools were
all in a prosperous condition, filed with |
the youth of the city and country, in a
course Of preparation for their future
duties as men and women, unless per
chance some Of our teachers had even
then stepped aside from their proper work |
to inculcate political heresies, and poison |
these youthful fountains Of feeling, emo
tion and passion with hate against a
benifcent government which had never
done them any harm. Our railroad af-
forded us the best mail facilities, and |
cheap, easy and speedy Communication
with both the North and South Our |
iron cOursers were like the steeds Of
Apollo,
"Soon az the father the rosy morn,
Aud the moon shining with biuuted horn,
he babe che nimble Hours, without delay
Bring forth the Hsels the nimbie Hours obey.
From thesr iii Tstkr, the gen rous steeds retire,
Dropping ambrosal foam, and snoTting ire'