Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-01-04

burden, and that it Expresses when we
don't pay, how would it do to attempt
the other policy awhile ? Are we to
| be told that Tennesseeans will consult
| temporary ease and immunity from
taxation? Suppose any man IN debt
were to adopt that policy? Let
| the Sheriff be out Of the way
| State could avoid his debts by simply
| locking up his pocket, what would
any one OF our people say OF such s.
man? On the other hand when Il
man takes hold Of his debts, pays
what he can, economies, Iabors, saves,
and pays, does he not obtain reputa-
! ton which is worth more than gold
and daily improve in business? Is
| there a man who does not know that a
sturdy shOuldeTing and carrying a
burden is an honor and q profit 20 q
man? Is there one who does not ad-
mire such a course and such a man
Wherein does a State differ from y
man? No man in this day will dare
say calmly and deliberately that COM
munities are less under the obligations
OF good faith and morality than indi-
viduals?
We are at the turning point ia our
history, where, if we are live, pro-
gressive State, faithful to obligation,
true and earnest in the effort to do the
best, with a manly and sturdy Ten
nessee method OF meeting difficulties
as they have always been met before,
we have the brightest prospect of any
State in the South. The cap!tailst and
the immigrant, wiser than we have
been, do not regard our light tax a
blessing when they know why it is
low, for they have an abiding interest
in commercial fidelity which they viii
not be illing to barter for tenn porary
ease.
"a Democratic Legislature has also
the PARTISAN aspect in which to look
at this question: proper light within
limits. This non-payment has occur
red under Democratic rule. All admit
that it has not relieved US of q burden
nor solved a difficulty. If we were to
ready to repudiate, if reputation were
accomplished, the obligation would
still be subslsting, and not half so
much for others as for our ruin. We
do not care to look at this question as
one affecting the creditor. We are
not concerned in the creditor, but in
the payment of our obligations to the
best of our ability. The people Of the
State have looked long enough at and
denounced the creditors roundIy
enough, but the burden gets no
lighter, the question draws no nearer
solution. Suppose we look at it as
question affecting ourselves awhile.
Our crsditOTs are comparatively few
and we are many-sOme thiug l he
two millions of people, who Will Ger
tainly bear burden to meet their OBJ
legations, but they will bear much
heavier burden if they are not honor
ably settled. In deliberate violation
Of obligations a few will suffer, but
the mauy will suffer far the most.
The creditors will have their full re-
venge even if there be no profit in it.
This is material question, affecting the
people Of Tennessee, affecting the
Democracy, not only nationally, but
locally, for the day will come when
su re defeat awaits whoever uisleads
the people"
The american IS right. We are
not specially concerned about how
is to affect the Demo
cratic party. We think it would
result in its destruction in this
State and seriously affect the party |
a result that we would |
by no means complain at. But |
while it would destroy the Demo
cratic party, it would at the same
time prove ruinous to the best in
,erests of Tennessee. It is not a
question Of convenience to bond
holders. 1t is not their interest to
which we look. It is the interest
IF Tennessee that concerns US. We
believe that reputation of our State
lebt viii prove damaging to our
good name and be disastrous to pub
ic and private credit. Hence
re join with Democratic
papers Of influence and
.biHty, in urging upon the Logisla-
ure to adjust the States indebtness.
And, as we have said before, the
for compromise made
~ our creditors, is liberal and
.quitable. It ought to be accepted
without hesitation, and provisions
made at once for honestly complying
nth its terms.