The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-10-04
TIE NaTIoNAL DEBT.
WHO rs RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS
CREA ITON9


.han-the charge that the Democratic
party is responsible for the National
iebt. Notwithstanding the great
truths of history. known and read Of
all intelligent men, the Republican
stump speakers and cross-road fell
lows, are making this reckless charge
every day.
How are the facts? If the con-
vention of 1888 had presented to
our fathers the constitution as it
now stands, no man is so foolish as
to argue that the American Union
could have been formed under it.
1t would have been spurned. But
it was presented, without certain
which now constitute a
part Of that instrument. 1t was
adopted-the Union formed. What
ever other parties did, or have done,
the Democratic party always have
been as they are now. devoted to the
constitution of their country-loyal
to it as their only sovereign.
How about the Republican (Abo-
lition) party in the decade. say from
1850 to 1860? Were they willing
to stand by the constitution as it
was? History answers. No! they
were not. They advocated higher
law than that instrument. They
pressed their advocacy Of this high
er law, in violation Of the letter and
spirit of the constitution of our
fathers. This pressure Of theirs,
this disloyalty to the constitution
was the only distinctive principle of
their party at that time. This party
at that time, had its local habitatiOn
alone in one section of the country,
because the principles upon which
its existence depended were antag-
onistic TO The constitutional rights Of
another section of the Union? But
that party was aggressive-deter-
mined that its higher law doctrines
should prevail-the constitutional
rights Of others to the contrary not
witbstanding. Out of this aggres-
sion grew the only antagonism be-
tween the sections Of the Union that
ever existed prior to 1860.
In 1860, this aggression culmina-
ted in the election Of a President
upon the doctrines and platform Of
this aggressive party. For long
years, this result had been feared
and deprecated. Nobody expected
that this could happen and war not
follow. The Republicans who elect
ed Mr.. Lincoln expected nothing
else.
Now, to say in the light of these
truths Of history that the democrat
ic party, by their loyalty to the con-
stitution as it was, in all its parts,
brought on the war, is twaddle un-
worthy the lips of any honest man
No! mol! the aggressive-higher
law-Republican party-headed by
GerretL Smith, Wendell Phillips ard
the like, created the sectional strife,
and brought on the war. That par
ty. when it talks to the black man
now, claims the glory of having
done this same. But only when
pressed 10 the wall about its corrup-
tions does it turn and charge the
war and the war debt upon the De-
mocracy.
Now, there is no way to avoid
these unsavory truths. The war,
and the war debt were the outgrowths
Of the wilful disregard of the pro-
visions of the constitution Of our ia
Tiers as taught by the founders Of
The Republican party. They alone
are responsible. OF results we are
not complaining. We accept the
freedom of the negro and the guar
antees of his political rights as just
10 him, aId as right in all respects.
The party with which we act, true
% its instincts, is as determined now
% stand by the constitution as is is,
Is they were before the war.
On the other hand we find to-day
his higher law-RepubIican party,
rue to its Notwithstanding
hat instrument and trampliug it
Inder foot-by usurping power for
lie Federal Government, not grant
ID to it-by sustaining its President
n the usurpation of the war-making
'ower-by threatening the country |
Nth bayonet rule and martial law
n a time of profound peace.
1t brought about the bloodshed |
nd strife of 1861-but it is not sat-
sled, it cries for more blood and
ends its minions into Louisiana and
outh Carolina TO provoke its she'd
ing. This is he party that charges
be creation of the National debt
pom the Democracy.
MARRIED.
AWKINS-In Morris |
,wn, on The evening of September 81,
S76, at the residence of j. A. Town.
nd, by the Rev c. T. Carroll, Mr..
osEnH MANSON PRnEEHT Of Hamhlen |