Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-05-27


to have been looked for in his writings,
a generous recognition of merit in an
antagonist. He admits that the better
elements of the Democratic party is in
favor of the payment Of all of the
States indebtedness in letter and in
spirit" He ought to know that this
better element includes the great body
of the party and if, instead of caleu-
lating upon the disorganization of the
party by the agitation of the question.
he would throw himself heart and will
into the purpose of aiding them in
their fight against it, he would confer
benefits on the State which would 90
far to atone for some heavy blows he
has inflicted upon her. For his inAu
ence is great will he not this time
exert it indisputably for good.
We fear that in the Governor, his
hates are apt to be stronger than his
loves, and we know he hates . Demo-
crat and that little love has been split
between them but he has ere now
suppressed his hates for what he
deemed a great and good purpose.
Once he hated an Abolitionist and that
hate was expressed in no measured
terms; but to save the Union he joined
hands with them and has been their
faithful associate and ally ever since.
Here is another opportunity; will he
now for the honor and credit of the
State unite with what he recognizes as
as the better element in the Democrat
ic party in fighting the battle of integ-
rity and honest dealing against public
robbery and fraudulent State bank
ruptcy?
Appropriate to the subject matter Of
the above article is passage in let
ter from our old friend Judge Clayton
of Mississippi, about the results of re-
pudiation in that State, to whom we
take this method of returning our
heartfelt thanks for his very prompt
reply to our application.
1.-THE origin of the charge against him
| (Mr. JEFF. Davis grew out of a political
| necessity. During the war. when negotiat-
| ing for loan to the Confederate States
were going on in Europe, an agent of the
| United States government was sent tO
| Europe to defeat the plan If possible. That
| agent thought that the readiest way to
break up the negotiation was to bring for
ward the charge that Mr.. Davis, then the
| President of the Confederate States, was
the author of reputation in Mississippi
| and hence that no faith in his promises
! could be had. 1t produced the desired effect
| are familiar to all. There was no Oppor
! tunity to diSprOve the charge l suppose II
was justified on the ground that everything
| is fair in war. An impressive lesson may
be drawn from this. No one can tell how
far into the future a single act may reach
| The reputation of Mississippi whether or
Just or unjust grounds went to the extent
| of destroying the financial credit of the
| Confederate States.
This is said only to show that however
legally and technically just reputation O.
any part of her debt by Tennessee may bt
| the policy of so doing may well be quest
| Toned.
ALEX. NJ. CLAYTON.
1t is not to be inferred from the las
few lines that Judge Clayton considers
that reputation in Tennessee would
be legally or technically just-a ques
ton which he has probably never haC
occasion to investigate-but, that ever
if it be so the policy of doing so il
doubtful.