Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-27

This Institution has been long desidera-
tum in this city, and we hailed its inaugu-
ration as a step in advance Of the past, and
admirably calculated to foster the Interests
of the city and State so long as it confined
its action to its legitimate functions. Our
mercantile interests require some authentic
means Of expressing their views, and of
bringing aEout unaDimity and concert of ac-
ton. 1t is the same case in all great bust
nes centres and no city can prosper and
extend its trade and interests without re-
sorting to a system whereby there will be a
unity of action. The necessity of the case
always to intelligent business men, suggests
the most desirable means. Other cities
have their Stock Exchanges, their Corn
Exchanges, their Boards of Commerce,
their Chambers Of COMMERCIAL the
same in object-and that object the concen-
tration Of the knowledge and the interests
Of trade, in its different departments, and
thus establish an authority upon which both
transactions, fairly and independently of the
individual " cut-throat" system'of every
man for himself and the devil take the
hindmost."
In this view We regarded the Nashville
Chamber of Commerce" as a very proper
and necessary institution, and we so regard
it still, and will continde to do so. So long
as it confines itself to the legitimate duties
Of such associations, we shall not only sup
port if, but give our columns freely to its
advancement, and contribute, in every legi
innate way to its success.
We learned incidentally on the streets, late
yesterday evening-the gentleman charged
with reporting such matters for this paper,
being unavoidably absent-that resolution
was adopted by the Chamber of Commerce
in this city, Withdrawing the patronage Of
its members from this paper, and others
named in this city. We are told that the
reason Of this extraordinary action was that
we charged for a personal communication,
which appeared in our columns few morn
ings ago, from a member of the Chamber of
Commerce, as if it were an advertisement.
That communication originated in the pres
ent discussions between the railroads and
the merchants, in relation to the manage
ment of the former. So long as the ques-
ton was treated as a matter Of general pub
lie interest, we admitted communications
from both sides free Of charge. We believe
that upon all subjects, investigation and in
telligent and fair discussion is the only
means of arriving at truth wherever there
are disputes. 1t is for this pur-
pose that our Judicial system is organized
and upon principleall organized commu-
mites rely for justice and repose. In treating
of the issues between the merchants and
railroads, there has no man been debarred
the free use of these columns. But when
that discussion had degenerated to a mere
question of veracity between individual
parties to the controversy, we charged them
as we do all others in like cases, and in &C
cordance with an almost universal rule
among newspapers.
We shall continue to do so, and now an
nounce that these columns are open and free
to all who wish TO discuss the trade and the
railroad interests of the city and country
but to personal quarrels and disputes their
use will be paid for, as all other matters
of personal business. To expect otherwise
is unreasonable.