The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-01-03

The National debt, on the 3lst Oeto-
Der, 1865, was 81, 740, S54, 758l--a com
forJable sum for q small family and
this, on the lst of June, will be in
creased TO S3, 100000 000l according to
the estimate OF the Honorable Secreta-
~ OF the Treasury.
The interest accruing upon this sum
at per cent. would be $4,000, 900; at
50 per cent it would reach Sl65, 600, 600,
ana 81 per cent it would 90 up 10 the
magnificent figure of $3.50 900 600
Now, asks cur friend, the Richmond
Wing, will any finaneier undertake to
say that negro suffrage will pay this
debt, or the interest on if2-or that il
will place the South in better position
70 meet Its portion OF the liability 2
We can answer our cotemporary
Voting don't pay debts. We nave a
conspicuous case in point, just now, in
Jamaica, where the terrible distresses,
with which we ale all familiar, found
their origin, it is said, in the repugnenee
OF the negroes TO pay taxes
And the whole thing is abundantly
plain. Where universal suffrage exists
you ought TO have universal virtue and
universal intelligence.
The system assumes this. IL Is a
very beautiful theory UtopiAn and
poetical; but then, we know ny the po-
lice reports, if from no other source
that human depravity is such, that We
can't base any code, organic or MUM
cipal, on the assumption of human yii'-
tue. Il would be house built on the
sands.
The fact is just the reverse. Laws
are made to provide remedies against
wrongs-to protect the minority against
the malority-snd when any legislation
enlaTges this power 10 take within its
scope uniformed and ignorant voters,
then it shows fanaticism triumphant
above reason.
If we are right in these very plain
propositions if we may chalk @ E. D.
at the bottom of our statement as we
think we can, then it is but one step to
Reputation.
Universal suffrage is universal ire
sponsibility Make the uneducated
freedmen voters; give them the right
to say what shall be done with the Ma
tional debt, and behold the best speei-
men of DOetical retriDution which his
tory records. They will vote to exun
guish the debt Ebony IS an indolent
fellow; he is opposed to the internal
revenue tax; ne is devoted TO bis o,iam
cum d5gnitafe, and when a small bit of
paper, or a viUd 06cs expression of Opin-
ion can relieve him of taxes, what will
he do2 The answer is plain-hell re-
pudiate.
Let Mr.. Sumner think of this. The
stupendOus debt of the nation is owned
by small class of individuals and
corporations, equal TO about the same
number Of those who lately were large
shareholders aud if these gentlemen
wish TO see their money, like that of
the merchant in the Arabian Nights,
turn 10 ashes, then the way to attain
this end, is to extend the rights Of
suffrage 70 the freedmen. We have,
personally, arrived at that delightful
| frame Of mind and tinances-in which
we can behold any earthquake that
may shock the country with entire
equauimity; but we are not so selfish
as TO desire to see q monetary chaos,
even among our mo thern brethren
| but, IL they want it, the way to bring it
about is very plata.
When the National debt is to be re
pudiated, universal suffrage is the way
| IN which it can be effected Norfolk
! Y,rgiHiaJi