Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-19
Joining Tennessee.
From the Hickman (Ky.l oOurior.l

From the Hickman (ky.l Courier.l
For several years previous to the war
the Kentucky counties west Of the Ten
nessee river, commonly known as the
Purchase" seriously considered the
idea of being cut loose from the State Of
Kentucky and attached to the State of
Tennessee. At that day we are conf
dent large majority of our people de-
cidedly favored such proposition. The
State Of Tennessee went so far as to ap-
point commissioners to submit some such
propositions TO the State Of Kentucky,
but Kentucky declined to part with any
portion of her territory. The circum-
stances of the war, and the evil govern
ment which has since afflicted Tennes-
see, had nearly silenced all thought of
such movement; but the Inauguration
Of Governor Brown, the return uf popu-
lar government in that State, together
with the rapid reduction of taxation
promised by the present Tennessee Legis-
lature, arc well calculated to again bring
the question before the public. The bur
den of taxation resting upon our Ten
nessee neighbors is the greatest obstacle
to the movement, allowing that the State
governments were favorably disposed.
Geographically, the counties west of
the Tennessee river should belong to
Tennessee. We are, comparatively, an
insignificant neck Of land, cut off from
the main body Of Kentucky, and our
political and material interests sadly
neglected by the parent government up
in Central Kentucky. We are too weak
in numbers at the polls, too poor in
purse, to demand or expect considera-
ton from a State whose absorbing inter-
ests are elsewhere, and who scarcely
know we are q part of the State, except
under general provisions, such as col
lecting taxes, and every two or four
years permitting US to go through the
form Of voting in general elections.
This neglect is attributed to want of
identity of interests, and our isolated To-
cation from the rest of the State, and
not to want of that generous sympathy
and philanthropic magnanimity which
ever characterize Kentuckians. The
situation Of these counties naturally at
taches them to Tennessee; our CONNER
cial and agricultural interests are iden
tical; our manners and customs the
same, and our material wants in every
respect reciprocal
The great river courses, the Mississip-
pi, Ohio and Tennessee, have mapped
us out as Tennessee territory. A peo-
pie as clearly united as are ours with
the people Of Western Tennessee in
business and social relations should have
common laws and common officers. The
delay and inconveniences, such as the
collection of debts and all other legal
proceedings, can in no other way be
remedied. Tennessee, ia developing the
resources of her territory, building her
great railway avenues, ETC., is compelled
to stop at our borders, short of her OBJ
jective point-the river courses named
and the distance Is so short and our
possessions so small that Kentucky never
can be induced afterward 10 Land any
degree of encouragement. tits natural
that Kentucky, so separated from us by
geographical and political interests,
should be unmindful of our wants and
it is also natural that many Of our peo-
pie, identified with Tennessee, by birth,
education, association, business and po-
litieal sympathy, should desire closer
union. These facts are especially point
ed in regard to the counties Of HickTgp
and Fulton. 1t is doubtful if Kentucky
will ever part with any portion Of her
territory. Perhaps Tennessee would
swap a slice of her East Tennessee
country for Mississippi river boundary.