Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-07-15

1
the counties Of the State and In the State
convention. 1t is 3 proposition not a
hairs breadth short of reputation, and
we cannot in honor listen to it even as q
suggestion, in view especially, ofoEr pro-
gress and prosperity as shown in our re-
view of yesterday. But Mr.. Thomas,
experimenting what he said in the
speech to which we have given 30 much
time and space, concluded his interview
with the Avalanche reporter as follows:
1--we undertake to pay the interest on
the public debt, our taxes will have to
be increased one hundred per cent, or
eighty cents, instead of forty cents. 1t
was never contemplated thst the State
should pay any part of the railroad debt,
when it was made. The railroads agreed
to pay the interest on the bonds, and to
provide for the payment of the princi-
pal at maturity. The railroads are in
sOlUent, made so By the I0dr, and so are
the people. Hence [ repeat that twenty
cents is as much ss the people should
pay, and this for the sole purpose of
paying current expenses to preserve the
State government, in accordance with
law Of nature. An individual, after
long life of labor, in which he has &C.
cumuiated property that hs1 been de-
stroyed by agencies over which he had
no control, will deIlore his bankruptcy,
but he is compelled to submit. So are
his creditors. II is an unpleasant fact
for as to realize that the State is in de-
fault and bankrupt, but painful fs it
may be, it Is nevertheless true. And
this is about all / have to say.
The itaticised lines in this are those
only to which we desire to call par
ticulaf attention. Mr.. Tbomss says the
people of Tennessee are bankrupt and
the State is iY5soLUes1t. The AP-
PEAL says, and as above has proven,
the contrary. The relative position of
the State, in every department of hui
man effort, proves the contrary, and the
gains OF the people in agriculture, In
manufactures, mining, and other indus
tries prove the contrary. We admit
that we are suffering from stagnatiOn in
business, but so is every other State in
the Union, many of them paying q
higher rate Of taxation, without any at
tempt at Reputation, in whole or in part.
We, in common with all the States, are
suffering from the evils of Radical leg
islation. Oar high taxes, IS ev-
cry evil, comes to US from
that prolific source of evils, and
II Mr.. Themes, instead of setting
himself ahove the majority of his party;
instead Of debating to his party and
threatening to bolt, as if his Judgment
was superior to that of his party, will
only realize his place, step down from
his lofty pedestal, and resolve to stand
shoulder to shoulder with those who
have hitherto delighted to honor him,
he will be more nearly in accord with
the record he has hereto.
fore made as counsellor
and worker. II he will only realize
that it is not by making the ammunition
Of reputation that we can aid the pub
lie enemy; that it is not by threatening
the integrity Of the debt Of the United
States that we of the south can prove
our present loyalty and fealty: and that
it is not by an increase Of our already in
1ated currency that we can find relief
for those whose greatest oppression is
not taxes but want OF work-if he will
only realize this, and the great, the cry
ing necessity for perfect unity anu the
subordination Of self for the sake Of VIC
tory in November, he will be more
likely to substantiate his pretensions
to the leadership to which he sspires.
Aswe said at the utset, we have high
respect for Mr.. Thoms7. DDripg the
war ne was Union man, finn and pro.
nounced, never swel wing nor veering
from the recognition Of the claims of the
Federal government, nor from what, in
his heart, he believed to be due that
government from hun. And yet, during
all those troublous years, his heart was
full OF neighborly sympathy for those
who differed with him, and whom duty,
in their esteem, led the other way. He
never lent himself to the persecution of
the people after the war, hut was one of
the first in the field in their behalf, and
in behalf Of the restoration Of amity,
peace, and the rights of all. A prudent
man, succe 5siul as manufacturer, his
counsel was sought for as that of one
whose habitual caution, GOODNESS and
discretion gave weight to whatever
he might advise. His present course Of
antagonism to the Democratic party is
all the more irreconcilable and to be re-
GREETED. May we not hope that when
the State convention has given us a
platform, whether it agrees with his
present notions or not, he will, bearing
in mind the eXigency now upon the
whole country, sgain find it within the
scope of his duties to support 1t and the
who may stand upon it? We
hope 80, and in that hope leave him for