Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-03
WHAT MAKES b UsIxEss DULL.

0c1scA cOA4naA VI OO1McLCc-
Answer. Too much politics. For the
past twelve years the commercial and man
ufacturing interests-the foundation Of the
prosperity Of the eountry-have held a
secondary place to that occupied by a mere
political party Instead Of working for the
prosperity Of the country, every effort Of
the representatives Of the nation in Con-
GEES assembled has been directed in the
interest Of party. In all legislative mat
tiers the question has not been, how will
this affect business? but, how will this
affect my party? And thus to-day by the
force Of some legislation and the neglect Of
other, the business Of the country is far
from being what it should be.
The corruption, the filth and mire, which
have been dug up at the capital by inves-
tigating committees, also demonstrates the
recklessness Of the people during the past
few years. No nation can point to time
in its history similar 10 our Own-when
Unprincipled and inscriptions politicians,
by peculiar run Of circumstances, he'd
sway over the greatest nation in the world,
legislated for themselves and their pst
schemes, put their hands into the public
treasury, donated the nations land as
though it were their own, created rings
within rings, audaeiously black-mailed the
merchants Of the land, voted themselves
back pay, retained the damages" paid by
foreign power while those who had suf-
fered imperatively needed relief, and be-
spatJeIed the honor Of the nation with
threats Of population. And then, when
business grew dull, when times grew hard,
these same profigates and rascals boldly
stepped to the front to suggest more paper
mOney-mOre lies, in order to relieve the
situation.
1t is time the carnival were stopped. We
advised the people to cease their strife
among themselves (Which the politicians
fOnlent) and to unite for principle, fol the
right and for the commercial and manufac-
turing interests. No men should be sent to
Congress who have had hand in the viii
lanies performed there during and since the
war. Men who forget the natiOn-their
eountry-fOr the good Of a party are not
needed to-day. Neither are men needed
who would fan the smOudering flames Of
discOrd and disuniOn, and stir our Southern
brothers to madness again. The rebellion
vas largely the work Of politicians. The
nation needs peace- quiet, sober, thought
full peace. Patriots are nreded more To-
day than ever-tO revive the business Of
the country. We cannot prosper when
great port on Of the land is crippled by
bloOd-suckes supported by bayOnets. 1t is
necessary for the country that all parts Gift
be active and prosperous. When we help
the South to prosperity We are really help
ing ourselves.
And now we ask pardon Of any of our
readers if these plaiI-spOken words offend
their justly-embittered spirit. We appeal
TO them to have more thought for the ma
terial prosperity Of the country than for a
political party. Send men to Congress
we care not what they call themselves
who will labor for the prosperity of the ma
ton, the commercial and manufacturing
interests, instead of for the maintenance in
power of a political party. Everywhere
the cry is Of E1hard times" Everywhere
legislation is made for some party. Poli-
ticians rule and hold high carnival. Right
at home our words apply, for here we have
mere social question, such as prohibition,
overshadowing that Of cheap transportation,
which would add new life to the business
Of the State. And so il is and will be until
the people unite against it. If we could
but see the leading men of the day work
ing for the commercial and manufacturing
interests with the zeal that they now labor
for party, then business would be good all
over the land. Let us be sensible and seek
out such men, regardless as to what they
call themselves.