Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-04


A1DEM9RAA.LZEDa GOgERNMENT.-g
That both Houses of Congress and the
Executive Department are sadly demorsl-i
lied is fact alike painful and unquestiona-
bic. Invetoing the bll compromising the
East Tennessee University for damages |
done by Federal officers and soldiers to its |
buildings and grounds, during the war, the |
President acknowledged the Justice OF the
claim, commended the "loyaity" of the
citizens of East Tennessee, and intimated
willingness to join in donation to the in
stitntion that wepld make good its losses.
The reason assigned for the veto was that
the paying of a just debt due the people of
the South, by the Federal government,
would establish dangerous precedent
which could not be followed without OPP
pressive taxation and serious injury TO the
country. Is not the government as able to
pay interest on the public debts which it
owes to the citizens Of one part OF the
United States, as to those living in another
part of our common republic,
and common country? To make
any distinction is clearly IN
patriotic and dishonest. The dishonesty
in purpose which refuses to recognize the
claims of Southern Union men for compen-
sation for their houses, barns, fences and
timber DESTROYED by Federal soldiers, and
pay for slaves liberated as a military neces-
sity, is the rotten leaven that leaveneth the
whole lump of the Government. The abo-
l-iitiOn capital invested in a gigantic effort to
exterminate slavery from the continent is
held to be better deserving of repay
ment, principal and interest, than any cap
ital that any Union man could have in
slaves under the old Constitution. Hence
the anti-slavery party in power did not hes.
itate TO violate the Constitution and impose
q direct tax OF three cents pound on cot.
ton to place indefinite millions in the Fed
eral treasury, and pay, not only all &C
cruiDg interest on war bonds, but
take up several hundred million dol
lars of these bonds from ten to fifteen years
before they were due. Men who rebelled
against the Constitution of Washington anC
Hamilton, and destroyed it by. foe o
arms, pay themselves for this work YER
promptly and literally; but when asked
: most humbly, to consider the injury the!
have done to colleges in Tennessee ant
Virginia, the debt must not be paid, for tn,
precedent is Incompatible with the settlet
policy of politicians who rule the nation fo
the benefit of few at the expense Of tn,
money. This system Of government is
fraud on the people, Of which the doings o
p Credit Mobilier and the Union Pacific Rail
road men in Congress, are the least dis
honest of the whole.
This is simple question Of honesty o.
dishonesty. President Grant and his Cabi
net cannot stand and act on both sides O.
this question, without cheating, or attempt
ing to cheat, one side or both, in shame
full manner. Successful Rebels against The
Old Constitution have to conquer time ant
again, that sense Of common honesty and
common justice, which pervades the minds
Of the American people. The incumbent:
of Federal Offices may double their own sal
aries, lavish indefinite millions on army ant
navy offices, on steamship companies, rail
way companies, and at the same time affirm
that not one cent Of interest can be paid or
just debts due for buildings and other proper
ty destroyed in the Southern States. But car
a republic stand long on such a rotten
basis? The lurid Generalization of the
Government has steadily increased during
the twelve years that have elapsed since the
Inauguration of Mr.. Lincoln in 1861. The
old landmarks of the Constitution are ami
hilated; the conservative doctrine of State
rights is set aside; and the Government is
administered, not for The benefit of the So
called sovereign electors, bat for the honor
and profit of the office-holders.