Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-09-01

~ 20
Unnnscticut .................. A 10
RhOdr Island ... ........................ J. 40 90
1889 %
New jersey ................. l03' On
Ohio ........... $40 NO
Mary d..... ...,,.......... .......,..... ~ o.
U,lhW az go
NILSSON ............ ............ 40 w
Ii $3.50 o.
en- .......... 90
~ W
IeuueSsee.......... 10 20
Whilst in the States lying upon our cast
ern, southern and western borders the
wealth Of each inhabitant of
North Carolina ........ SPA ND
Georgi 22b
iapdma.''''''''''' ''''''.''.'''' :. . w
-! go
ArKansas, 81 U
We thus see that although the average
wealth OF the people of Tennessee was very
much less than that ofthe great commercial
and manufacturing communities in the
North and East, yet it greatly exceeded
! that of all the States lying on our borders
East, West and South.
An inquiry into the causes that have led
to such marked disparities in the wealth Of
communities of people living under the
same government, obedient to the same
laws sprung from the same sto k, and
speaking the same language, would be most
inter sting. But however interesting it
would be to trace out all the remote causes
from present conditions | am forbidden to
do SO by want of time, and the further fact
that the enquiry might lead us to the ex-
animation of the effect of political mea-
sures
1t is proper, however, and it is my pVr-
pose to refer to some of the causes that hHye
been most potent in their effects
Among these are the protection, or boun-
ty system of the United States Government:
the institution oil slavery; immigration from
Europe, attracted to the North by its free
institutions, its schools and its diversified
pursuits, and repealed from the South by
! the existence there of n servile population:
the overthrow of industrial systems in the
South consequent upon the abolition of
slavery the ravages of war and the un-
settled political condition of the Southern
States. Many of these causes happily are
no longer potent.
Slavery has been abolished Every hui
man Ibeing now living in the Uuited
States is free. All are equal before the
law, all protected in their rights of person
and property, not only by positive enact
ments of the Supreme Power Of the State,
but also by public opinion which lends
its sanction and force TO the law itself La
Dor, no longer in the estimation of any per-
son. can be degraded, by asso,iating with
it. a servile and deDased class. 1t goes
forth, through all the length and breadth
ton, and with all the ideas of freedom.
Our late slaves, ceasing to be property,
are, rs in former days producers. They
add to our productions, and within their
sphere and, according to their intellectual
and moral status, are active co. workers with
us in all the great enterprises, that II supe-
rior genius and capacity suggest and direct.
Moreover, by emancipation the former
slaves have become source of political
power, and by increasing our influence in
the Federal Government may assist US in
recovering our lost status in national at-
fairs, and in re-establishrg the ancient land
marks that limited the authority of Federal
interference with the affairs of the States.
II we shall not be disappointed in this ex-
pectation. we will be amply repaid for all
| we have lost by their emancipation.
The war has spent its fury-our inter-
State and Federal differences, with the ap-
proach of the Centennial of the Repu bile,
seem to tend to a peaceful settlement. A
i spirit is abroad in the land, which indicates,
that although lately estranged, the Ameri-
can people remember their ancient depend
ence upon each other dependence, TINT,
in the revO utionary period of their history,
begat concert of action, in resi- lance to "a
tyranny, that threatened, not the North
nor the South but the whole COnfaduracy,
that made it possible for Bunker Hill to be
remembered, not with humiliation and sor-
row, but with patriotic pride and with joy
and gladness; that immortalizes the fields
Of Yorktown and Kings Mountain, now
sheds halo of glory upon the names and
memories of Washington and Greene, OF
Knox and Sewer, and Shelby.
| These causes for the differences in the
wealth of the Northern and Southern States
will not, in the future, be potential
But the protective policy is still an active
force; to-day, as in the past, it fills the
overlooking Golfers of one part Of the coun-
try. with contributions Nrung from the
poverty Of the other part. May we not, AS
L shall hereafter suggest, use this policy to
our own advantage, and thus, neutralizing
its effects, compel its Abandonment.
l say compel its abandonment, because,
in my opinion, and as | think can be easily
shown, its consequences are evil, and moth
ing but evil. In spirit it is unjust to all
but those who may be the objects of its pro-
tecting care. 1t produces inequalities OF
wealth not only of persons but of sections,
enrching some by impoverishing others.
1t fosters moneyed arstocracy, paraly
the energies of the favored few. destroys in
them the self-reliance necessary to the full
development of true manhood, and in that
way enervates man and makes him not the
Independent freeman democracy requires,
but dependent being, ever clamoring for
help, and incapable of the sturdy virtues
the surest support Of free institutions.
But so long as this policy shall prevail,
In order TO prevent our own impOverish-
ment we should endeAvor to use it to our
advantage. confident that it will be aban-
doned before it car sap the foundation of
the manly virtues of our people, and thai
by SO doing we may do much to prevent
the emigration Of our people to other com
munities, and if we wish to secure some lit.
tie part Of the immense tide of immigration
that has contributed so much to the aggre-
/ gate wealth Of other States
We have in the State of Tennessee almost
every gift that nature can bestow-every
attraction but those which man alone can
otter. We have a climate the most genial
to be found on the continent. Winter stays
! with US but "A few months. Summer with
its heats is not prolonged. Spring anc
/ Autumn linger upon our mountains and in
our valleys, bringing with them the prom
ise and the fruitiOn of abundant returns {
! labor Our soil most fertile, so different in
its constituent elements, yields the produc.
tons Of every cline; grain and grass, cot
ton and wheat, Indian corn and tobacco
with fruits in all the seasons. As our ven.
cradle historian has said, Tennessee, before
the white man took possession, was in d
prelt mart abandoned nv tho nom die tri ho