Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-05
TNE MATERIAL INTERESTS OF TEN.
NESSEE.

NESSEE.
At the close of the war there was no State
which had been the theater of military ope-
rations, which had made so profound an i'm
preston upon the great numbers who, during
the war had passed over it for the first time.
Thesoldiers of the North as well asthose Of the
South were struck with admiration with our
soil, climate scenery, products, hospitality
and general attractiveness. The people who
remained at their homes during the turbu-
lence made sure that upon a return of peace,
there would be a vast influx Of population
and industry, and that very soon ii would be
found that emancipation and war would
have the indirect effect of bringing
largely increased thrifty and energetic
population within our borders, and Of the
development Of our resources TO a degree,
impossible under the former order Of things.
Especially was this opinion prevalent in the
minds Of those who had adhered 20 the
Union throughout the troubles. They re-
fused 10 sell their lands, or 10 enter upon
great enterprises, until they could set out
upon that grand tide of private and public
prosperity, which was seemingly SO near its
flood, and would then lead 10 assured fortune
But they have been disappointed. Instead
Of a vast inilowihg population and capital,
both from the North and the South, we have
a steadily intensifying stagnation and decline
in the great material interests of the State.
The sober sense Of our people, asks why
this disappointment? The distractions that
impeded the work of development, accord
ing 10 the assertions of our Northern breth-
ren was the institution of slavery. That
has now been removed forever. What,
therefore, now stands in the way? Whilst
we were mingling with the Southern sol
diers they we're unbounded in their praises
of the resources and capabilities Of our
State We have since been told by the
Northern soldiers that the same advantages
were equally strongly impressed upon them
and their comrades. All, of both sides,
warmly expressed their admiration, and
great numbers asserted their determination
to make Tennessee their future home. Why
have they not done so?
We cannot answer the question fully, but
partial answer is to be found i'll the inter-
nal political condition of tho State, and
probably a full one. In the first place, the
State administration asserts that 1t is unsafe
for Northern people to come to Tennessee,
and, at the same time, set up system OF pro-
scription toward Southerners. Both are no
tilted that they cannot live here in honor
and security and peace. Deprived Of
these both decline TO come. On the
contrary the best men who are here are
striving TO leave, never to return. The
Northerner is assured that he will be
assassinated personally or tabooed socially
if he comes-and the Southerner is told
that he cannot have the rights of a citizen
or the mere chances of white man, if h,
comes. Thus both are kept away, and We
see the constant decline of our interests in
these respects. In addition to this, oul
mercantile interests are assured that they
shall pay out all the possible profits on theil
business in the shape of taxes, licences, &c.
and this assurance is promptly made effect
nal by the inevitable periodical appearance
| of the collectors These are facts apparent
to every body, and to be gainsayed by none
The speeches and public acts Of the Gov
ernor, and the acts of the Legislature have
had this effect, and none other. They have
placed Tennessee on the downward road, and
we are travelling it with velocity that will
if continued, depopulate the State of its sub
stantial citizens, and bankrupt it financially
1t Is made a petty despotism in arepublicar
country and there is no other community
| to-day on the globe that il equally despi
cable, in the eyes Of all others, as this is.
There is one, and only one relief. That
is. for the present State administration to
change its policy, or for the people to chang'
it. This the latter can only do at the ballot
box. but that's some time away. The Legisla
lature and the Governor can do it at once
There is but two things to dO-to say
to the Northern immigrant he can come anc
pursue his vocation in perfect safety; anc
the other is that the Southern Immigrant
shall be assured his rights as freeman
These given, and Tennessee would fill witt
people, and nothing would stay her pros
pcrity, power and happiness.
We use use no epithets, but we warn thos'
who persistingly stand in the way Of Thu
contamination, that their names and memor,
shall be despised through all time to come
| bv the peoule of Tennessee.