Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-25

nus native state. InlS cheering result
is but a reflection Of thesturdy honesty
of the people. Whatever their losses
by wal and misrule, whatever the priva-
lions entailed by last years crop failure,
they will meet their obligations like
men. 1t may require some selfsacri-
fee for the time being; but with a
strong faith in Providence, in the polit-
zeal future and their own energies, they
have put their hands t. the pillow and
viii not look backward. Friend
and foe viii agree that the
UNION AND AMERICAN never, for a
moment, faitered in its confidence IN
the people and their loyal rectitude Of
purpose. Others may have been ap-
palled at the great noise made by a
few on the cheap hobby Of low taxes
and quasi-repudiation, but we were
ever confident Of the result and labor
ed for it, knowing full well that Ten
nessee's course would be taken as an
index 10 the policy Of the great Demo
cratic party. With Tennessee and
Missouri standing side by side for
financial integrity, our Radical antag-
enists will find little on which to hinge
their argument that Democracy is the
party Of reputation.
To those not familiar with Tennessee
politics, it must seem strange that any
moye,for ignoring, or tampering with,
our State obligations should have &C
quired as much prominence and appa-
rent strength as it attained at one
time. The political explanation lies in
the difficulty of holding together a
large party, possessed Of an overwhelm-
ing majority in the State. Republican
misrule and Civil Rights have driven
the bulk of our people into the Demo-
cratic ranks. The very certainty that
a nomination is tantamount to cleo
ton, creates strife and divisions,
affording a rare field for disor-
ganizers; and aspirants whose merits
are not appreciated appeal to the peo-
pie on whatever issues they imagine
popular. The cry of Glow taxes" is
always available and always seductive,
those who pay no taxes whatever, be-
ing generally its most urgent advo-
Gates. To ring the changes on "bond-
holders" and "bondsmen" is an easy
task, within the range of the poorest
mental capacity. With a heavy State
debt, the transition was natural that
the people should be relieved at the ex-
pense Of their creditors. How far Wall
street spectators IN Tennessee bonds
and debtor railroads may have profted
by the agitation, must be determined
by those familiar with such operations.
A general drouth, cutting down
crops in many sections, and causing
actual priyation in a few in
stances, helped on these champions
of the dear people" and they became
as busy and boisterous as though they
reflected the sentiments of a large class.
It is the trade Of small politicians to
make noise, that being their only means
for attracting attention among their
superiors; and those not familiar with
this trick Of the trade are liable to at
tach undue Importance to their utter
ances. But now all can see their real
dimensions. Under a combination Of
circumstances peculiarly favorable to
success, they have exhausted their su-
premest efforts and failed most
ignobly. The bright escutcheOn Of
Tennessee still shines forth unsul-
lied. 1t is not at all likely that
any combination Of circum-
stances so favorable to their plans, can
occur again IN a generation, and with
out this defeat they must disappear
from the stage with their Jimfskian
notions Of financial morals.
This suspicious result IS due to no
one man more than to Gov. Porter,
who, in his inaugural message, amid
the clamor Of the opening session, took
bold and emphatic ground in favor Of
sustaining the faith and honor Of the
State. His opponents were thus
warned in advance that any scheme
savoring IN the least of reputation,
would encounter the Gubernatorial
veto. On this matter he was
known TO be inAexible. Having been
elected by the heaviest Demo-
cratic majority ever cast in the State,
he stood firm and fast by the pledges
he had taken in assuming the can
didacy Of the Farty. His subsequent |
veto Of the bill to deprive the State !
authorities Of the power to make |
temporary loans, without which the |
State could not meet obligations ma
turing before taxes come in, was part !
Of his fixed policy. He has nobly de- !
Tended and maintained the honor and !
integrity of the State ina crisis such as
viii never occur again, and the verdict !
Of the people viii be that such was one
of the main purposes for which they |
elected him Governor.
SENATOR JOHNsONs LOUISIANA |