The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-13
ETERNAL Vigilance IN Ibe Price
of n4iberGy.''

Never before did this watchwOrd ring
in the ears of the thoughtful patriot
with more startling significance than now.
We are worn out with strife. Wearied
and sickened by contention against cor
ruption in high places, the violent sub
versions of justice, truth and good NOR
ais, and the long train of crimes which
has succeeded and replaced the bloody
struggle of war, and the hearts of the
people are longing above all things for
rest-for peace. Hence tho spontaneous
uprising of the people, aud the ready re-
spouse which has been given by
either section to the invitation to join III
the decoration of graves, and the hearty
clasping of hands in centennial reunions
that have spread over the country like
contagion. The people have made peace
have forgiven each other and are fast
forgetting all cause of alienation. This
reconciliation has not been brought about
by political leaders, but in spite OF them,
by new departure" of the masses.
Separate and apart from party consider
Rtions or partizan leadership-and this
peace has been made without stipulation
or treaty-it is founded upon no platform
or prescribed policy for future guidance,
but simply upon the broadcast charity.
No questions have been asked or aCcusa-
tiOns made; no principles discussed,
adopted or discarded The people, with
out reference to principles, or to past ac-
tons, or to future policy, have agreed to
be friends, and so have made peace,
leaving the future to shape itself. And
now that there is some respite from sec
tional strife, will the people feel that all
is secure and carelessly lie down TO sleep2
Will they fail to see that the pending
questions of this very hour are momen-
tOus, aud invoke not only the prosperity
of the country, but its very liberties?
Here lies the danger, especially OF the
South. 1t is prominently the duty OF the
press i'm such time n this to ring out
clearly and loudly the alarm-to keep
constantly before the country the issues
of the day. and never weary of warning
che people OF their danger, lest resting
calmly in "a false security, their liberties
so by default.
Among the questions of the hour, we
believe there is none so vitality affecting
the dearest interests of the people as that
of the abolition of the National Banks.
For ourselves we look upon the growing |
power of these banks with the deepest |
concern; n vast mOnicd power Is less to |
he tolerated in free country than stand |
ing armies Il there nothing startling to |
the people of the United States in the |
idea that the National Banks should have |
complete control at the currency of the |
Government ContrHl of the currency |
means control of the government, and
that means slavery Ia the people. Aud II
Is not Mt all improbable that tins absolute |
dominion of the National banks may soon
be acquired. The law that creates the
banks by its provision virtually prohibits
IL r.. lie fat
not the National Banks with their hands
upon the pulse OF every branch OF trade
and industry, and controlling the inter,
est of the people ut every point, have by
an easy combination, such representa-
tiOn in the National Congress as they
NAV desire, and having this may they not
constitute themselves the sole agency OF
furuisbino currency to the Government
and people, may not the Sub-treasury be
abolished and the public moneys be de-
posted by distribution among the nation
nj hanks. and thus the whole money pow
or of the country be seized into the hands
Of one gigantic central power, whose on
ly law will be its own wIll2 To us there
is nothing extravagant or improbable IN
all this, and surely there is nothing IN the
spirit of the times to rebuke such bold
scheme on the part of banks or IndIvldu-
ais, ana II Tue one Ddhh VI Lug idhu III
great national crisis could by a simple no.
fice 10 the prime minister paralyze the
arm of the kingdom, and dictate its own
terms to the king, parliament and minis
try: and if the one National Bank OF
The United States could in its bret eN-
istence so fasten itself upon the vitals of
the country as to be torn away, but with
such distress and suffering as to sink the
nation 10 the verge of despair-what
charge has been rought in human ma
sure or in the insolent spirit of power, to
warrant us against apprehension when
tha 1000 National Bank shall have as
wurea the supreme rule? In the time of
M old National Bank, official corrrup-
NOu was thing comparatively unknown,
and che country was full Of patriotism, yet
so awful was the power of the bank, that
In the grand crisis of that memorable
struggle In which il was over thrown, but
two men in the nation were found bold
enough to grapple with it. Give our Ma
6onal Banks the full sway. and who shall
6hernte us from bondage2 The white
House and the Halls of Congress are la
belleyl ito let, and Jackson and fancy
are dead In all we have said against Ma
t;onal Bank, we have only attacked the
Drincirle or system-sC long as the sys
tenn is in operation, the South should avail
itself of the privilege aud have branch !
National Banks,
$780,