Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-26
LrHE RnNn ouEsTIoS-

From a pamphlet with the signature
Of Aristides, we extract the following
paragraph as a just and forcible exposis
ton of one Of the most important ques-
tons now agitating the public mind, and
which demands a solution at the hands
Of the people "a uRrFFBDt.f
These bonds, as SC many mortgages on
the nations energies and industry, were
chiefly issued to banks, brokers and capital
lists in retirement and they are to-day the
principal holders. The banks then having
suspended, received them in exchange for
their currency greatly deprecated and still
falling In this way most OF this debt was
created. And for such a consideration
was this enormous weight that brushes our
energies beaped upon our shoulders That
portion of this debt now owned by foseign-
ers was purchased by them with the same
means, or cost them in actual money only
from forty to seventy cents IN the nominal
dollar. II is therefore untrue that there is
any peculiar sanctity to be attached to
these bonds, and only parties in interest
aud a hireliDg press cherish and prepa-
gate the falsebood and discrimination be-
tween these and other creditors just IS
worthy.
Let no one suppose that these remarks
on the origin and history Of these bonds
look towards reputation, their whole OBJ
iect and scope being TO prepare the public
mind with just and fair appreciation Of
this national obligation, in order TO suggest
proper and speedy way for its discharge
. ~ v,ovu,a,s Tho,a4 b,,Js A. L. - =
much dead capital, and are only felt in
their semi-annual drafts on the labor and |
industry Of the country. This enormous
pile Of wealth, 81, SOC, DOC, 0O0, besides be-
ing exempt from a rateabie contribution to
defray the expenses Of the local and gen
erai government, thus increasing the taxes
on the productive and industrial interests
Of the people, IN no trqy facilitates the bust
ness Of the country, nor does il share the |
cost Of its own security and protection.
Now Il is proposed 70 get rid of this |
mammoth incubus upon the labor and toll |
Of the people, within a comparatively short |
period, and yet in such a manner as shall |
snswer all the ends VI justice, put all class
es Of public creditors upon an equality be-
fore he lag,p revive and sustain the busi- |
meas Of all the States, and thus to restore
the federal government 10 the simple 4
sphere prescribed for il in the Constitution,
and the States 70 their rights BY extinguish-
ing the ceniTaliEing influences Of a national
debt-the most important reconstruction 4
now needed. For LET il be borne 10 mind, |
so long as this nationalor central debt hangs
like cloud over the hopes Of the people,
The complicated and ponderous machinery
10 assess and collect aud the army Of fed
eral officers and agents necessary TO operate
aDd carry IL out, would overshadow and
degrade the States 70 mere provinces and
whether loyal or Rebel. IL
ID vain to talk Of Safes, State rights, and
State conSiiiBtOnS With federal center
sxercising omnipresent and omnipotent
70 enier every mans pocket and
uhsidize every mans business TO lis viii
md behests. II you want the States 10
,njoy The independence and rights accorded
o them By the Constitution, we must de-
troy the apology 10 assume and 10 exercise
'oWer I'D iibitaus 70 tax the people.