The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-07-31
SO AND 4.
Speeches last Monday by Ex-Gov.
Neil S. Brown, Hon. W. G. Whit
thorne, Col. Albert Akers and
Maj. Dick Mccain.

!
to that holy patriotism which has
immortalized the devotees of the
Jewish religion. Far removed from
mercenary motives or self-aggran-
.dizement he stood before the yeo-
men from along the streams in
which he had angled in boyhood
and plead the integrity of their
fathers, many of whom had been
his companions in his young man
hood, and his constituents in the
earlier years of his long political
career. He regarded the PROPOSE
ton as gracious upon the part OF
the bondholders, many of whom
were widows and orphans whose
guardians had thought it wise to
invest their funds in them because
the integrity of the great common
wealth of Tennessee was pledged
for their payment. He met every
argument made by Those who OPP
posed the acceptance of the propo-
sition~ in a most satisfactory man
ner. 1t could argue nothing with
this great aggregation of individu-
ais whether their creditors were
"bloated" or not. The obligation
was as binding if the bond was held
by de6auche as if held by a spot
less clergyman. He denounced the
charge that the bonds were fraudu-
lent as false and slanderous. If
Overtures had been made to him to
secure the fraudulent use of his
Office he would have kicked the
tempter down stairs. His rhetoric
was almost fearful, and his logic
proved that the injustice ofthe argu-
ments used implied a constrained
homage to the force of the truth
that the bonds ought to be paid.
His appeal in behalf of the honor of
the State was sublime. Even the
who had been carried safely
through many bullets by noble
steed desired that that steed should
live forever. In thIs land of groans
and tears it was our pleasing desire
and fond expectation that we would
join our loved ones in blessed i'm
mortality, 1t was also the desire of
every true son of Tennessee that the
fair name of their mother-state
whose honor had been secured and
handed down to them by the blood
and treasure of patriarchal ancestry
should go sounding down the ages
and that her capital
should stand as a memento to I'M
born generations of the honor and
of the State. He then
to the non-paying voters
to go to the polls, and by their
votes place the taxpayers in such
relations as to enable them to pay
the bonds on the most favorable
terms possible to them, which was
the 50-4 proposition. Throughout
his entire speech the strictest atten-
ton was given and we may well be
ieve that the thoughtful views pro-
will bring fruit at the
polls Aug. 7.
Gov. Brown was followed by Hon.
w. G. Whitthorne in one of the hap
piest and most forcible efforts OF
MS life. We heard many persons
say that they never listened to a
better speech. He first paid beau
,iful tribute to Gov. Neill S. Brown
and his predecessors and most of
ais successors in the Guternatorial
Chair, and to the old men of the
who had handed down to US
he name and fame of OurState Unsul-
led, and appealed to their descend
lnts not to blight her honor now.
he then argued in a mastery man
Ter the validity of our bonds and
obligations to pay them. He was a
member of the Legislature when in
'esponse to the pressure made upon
t by the people it authorized the is
iuance of the bonds, and he knew |
low they were issued and that there
vas no fraud. He opposed their is
iuance, and opposed it in the face
If instructions, yet so great was
he clamor by the people, the legis
allure was almost unanimous. Only |
me man besides himself voted |
.gainst it. He opposed it not be-
.ause be believed the State had no
to Issue them, but be
ause he believed it was bad policy
o do so. But having been issued
Inder the authority of law they |
we're legally and morally binding
lpon the State. He argued that,
Exclusive of the post war bonds and
interest, we owe justly some sixteen
Millions; that those who said part
# the debt was fraudulent should
,e required to say what bonds, by !
whom issued and for what road;
hat if they would furnish proof of
his, this much of the debt would
re settled by its being made out of
he owners of the roads. He re
-iewed and defended the admins
ration of Jno. G. Brown with refer
nee to the funding measure, show
ng conclusively that it was not
,nly no fraud upon the people, but
imply an honest business transac-
ion. After establishing the fact
hat the railroads had discharged
heir obligations to the State and
hat the State was responsible for
he debt, and could pay it without
embarrassment he appealed
With fervid elOquence to the people
o pay it, and drew a glowing pic
ure of prosperity and plenty as the
esult. We cannot follow him into
he details of his arguments, though
f they were written out in full and
published they would be read with
.vidity by the people.
Col. Albert Akers of Nashville
vas called for at the conclusion of
zen. Whitthorne's speech, and he
gallantly and nobly- to
he call. He made some telling ar
,umen1s in favor of the compromise
nd many amusing hits at Col. Saw
.ge and reputation. He possesses
voice, a commanding
presence, al intellectual appear
nee, the mastery of language, and
s a most effective speaker.
Mai. Dick Mccain then respond
d briefly to loud calls, and sue
eeded from the start in getting
cry close to his auditors. They
new something of his gallantry, of
lis suffering, of his hardships, and
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