Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-03
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH TEN
NESSEE?

In the first place let us glance for a mo
ment at our condition. We have State
that in all the natural elements of wealth
stands unrivalled; indeed when we study its
great variety of soils, its diversity of prOduc-
tiOns, its wealth in minerals, We would at
once conclude that Tennessee ought to be
the most prosperous and wealthy State in
this Union. Now what are the facts
We are in deplorable condition, nine tenths
of our population struggling on the verge of
bankruptcy, and, though the owners OF
large estates, are sorely pressed to meet
current expenses and pay the taxes upon
the land, which they do, not cultivate; and
is it any wonder, when we reflect upon the
fact, that only about one-fourth of the
whole lands of the State are
under cultivation, and that three-fourths of
what is under cultivation is only half work
ed. That we send our cash out of the
State for articles that we could produce our
selves much cheaper than those who sell
to us. For instance, with better timber and
iron than Michigan, We send thousands of
dollars there every year for wagons and 9TH
er implements. Indeed We are tributes TO
every Northern State. We do make little
leather here, but we send it off TO Boston
or Chicago, pay freight on it; and after it pays
several commissions and profits il comes
back to us in poorly made boots and shoes.
But why enumerate? 1t is thus with al
most every article we use. 1t is vain TO
talk Of our Independence while this state of
things exist. Our State must remain poor,
a veritable vassal and slave to our more
wide-awake and enteTprising neighbors.
Now, these are only a brief outline Of the
facts; our rejecting reader can fill out a de-
tail of degradation and dependence that we
would blush to see in print. Now, what is
! the remedy?
! l. Let us cease whining, and doubling
and 90 earnestly to work. If a change in
| our circumstances requires change In our
| plans of operation, let us prudently con-
! slider what that change should be, and then
| 90 deterIninedly and boldly to work to pro-
! duce that change. If man of enterprise
| comes into our midst to develop any Of
! our hitherto unproductive resources, extend
! to him cordial welcome, express your
! faith i'll his works, don't go about with a
| sympathizing simper upon your cOuntenan-
! ces, saying you hope he may succeed, but
you fear it will prove a failure; in word
don't damn it with doubts; if you can't with a
clea- conscience express unbounded conf
dence, hold your peace. Public opinion is all
powerful, it is a wonderful motive power to
prompt men to action. What prompts
men in time of war to sacrifice their all,
yea, even their lives, on the shrine of their
country? Why, public opinion. The hero
is the man the world delights to honor, and
to secure that honor, property and life are
freely staked. Peace has its heroes as well
as war, and we only require correct pub
| lie sentiment to develop them.
Now, change must be produced In the
public sentiment of Tennessee in general,
and Nashville in particular, before we can
expect the development of what we might
call that business heroism which underlies
all progress and prosperity. Let US see who
are the men that society delights to honor,
of whom they speak well, who meets the
cordial greeting on the streets. Is it the
man who risks his all in some noble enter
prise, who is Instrumental in building a fac
| tory, opening a mine, constructing a rail-
road, or doing any of those things which
tend to general development? does he Sc
cure the grateful acknowledgment of his
| fellow citizens? We say emphatically, not
in lie, especially if he has to struggle
with difficulties. No, no. The man here
who se,uIes tie commendatiOn of his fel-
low-meH is the man who never risks a dol
lar; who, if he has any capital, wisely with
draws il from circulation and locks it up in
bonds, or sits in his office, watching the op-
portunHy to take advantage of the
necessities of his enterprising neighbor, and
by way Of performing a patriotic act will
condescend to lend him a helping hand by
discounting his note at one and half OF
two per cent. month, if we'll secured by
collaterals.
o, for the pen Of Shakespeare, to draw
the portraits of some of our modern Shy
locks.
There is wealth enough here, if only
rightly directed, to infuse new life into oul
city and State, and by the contagion O
ideas, to pervade the whole languishine
South. We need more faith in ourselves
and in others, more self-reliance, more de
pendence upon Our own resources, more cor
dial cooperation, more combination of capi
tai, IN industrial pursuits, in our cities anC
towns, more subdivisions of our lands il
our rural districts, more clear heads, cour
ageous hearts, and strong and willing
hands.
! That's what's the matter with Tennes
Nashville Enterprise.