The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-03-11
Mai. Sykes Speech.
From the Bolivar Bulletin,


The following is the conclusion of the
speech of VIM. J. Sykes, at Huntingdon,
Tenn, and as it is on very important sub
ject we transfer it to our columns and invite
the attention OF our readers to it. Mr.. Sykes
we'll remarks that it depends upon circum-
stances whether the contraction OF a debt is
wise or unwise. This is so not only in re-
gard to public but to private debts.
If q farmer needs one or two mules to enA-
BILE him to cultivate his land and has not the
money to pay for them, It may be wise to buy
them on credit, but if he contracts debt for
things which he does not need such as luxu-
ries then IL may be very unwise. So in re-
gard TO public debts. Those which are con-
tracted for the improvement of the country
may be wire and those which are contracted
for things unnecessary are unwise. Mr.. Sykes
said:
"a mere change of rulers will not make
the country prosperous. You have much to
do in the cultivation of your land, in the ex-
ercise OF economy, industry and perseverance.
Tennessee needs development lamentably,
She has enough coal and iron in her noun.
tains now uneless to pay her State debt
hundred times lift were brought into &C tive
use. / do not object to the restrictions which
wei placed upon county subscriptions, and
upon the load of State credit, in our now
constitution, under the instances; but IL
does not always follow that State and county
debts arc Injurious. That depends upon cir
cumstances. They may be wise or unwise
prudent or imprudent. The State debt con-
tracted before the war to build our capitol
our benevolent institutions and our railroads.
would have been pronounced, had there been
no war, the wisest legislation ever adopted
by any State; and even under all the disad-
vantages Of the war, had there been wise leg
islation from 1855 70 1870. and had no bonds
been issued to insolvent railroad companies
during that time, Tennessee would now have
had her railroad system in full operation
with very little Indebtedness / am not in
favor Of contracting either State or county
debts rec klessly, but there are occasions
when they will be wise and prudent.
never voted to contract a State debt, and
therefore speak freely. Proper guards should
be thrown around all subscriptions to protect
the people, but to say that no State aid nor
county subscription should ever be made, ia
place the country under the control and at the
present corporations. The danger is that we
will go from one extreme to another, and be-
cause debts were imprudently contracted
from 1865 10 1870 We will determine that, no
matter how urgent the necessity, and no mat
ter how great the emergency, no debts shall |
hereafter be contracted. Such, il seems to
me, is not true wisdom. ] have now dis
cussed various questions, hope with moder- |
alton and temperance, and in a manner ] |
trust, not to give ofiense TO any one. I have |
been free and frank in the expression of my |
opinions, and whether they are right or
wrong, can say they are sincerely enter |
tanned. As this is the last political speech |
expect to make for years, if ever again, |
hope have not hurt the feelings Of any one, |
and that have not violated the proprieties
of the occasion"