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


traditions of the Government, but,
as war measure, it must be done,
and relying with implicit confidence
upon the patriotism and fortitude of
the American people, the promise
was made that whenever
the condition Of the country would
warrant it, these notes should be re-
deemed in coin. The notes were Is
sued. The soldiers in the field took
them in payment for their services,
and with them supplies for the army
were purchased. The soldiers and
the people believed that the Govern
ment would keep its promises, end
took the grcenbacks checrfully and
without complaint.
All this time, leading Democrats,
in and out of Congress, were oppos>
ing the measure with all their pow
err. They spoke against it and voted
against it. They denounced it as
ond said that the
courts of the country would so de-
eide. 1t became a law in spite of
their opposition. 1t was no time
for quibbling over nice constitution
al questions. 4 powerful armed
force had been organized and was
making a desperate effort to over
throw the Government. How to
meet that force, subdue the rebel
lion and save the country, was the
question that was uppermost in the
minds of the Republican leaders.
But the hostility of the Democratic
leaders to the greenbacks did not
cease with the passage of the law of
Congress. After its passage, and
the notes of the Government had
been issued and put in circulation,
they did all in their power to depre-
ciate their value. They said they
never would be redeemed, and that
in a short time they would become
They carried the ques'
ion into the courts, and did all in
heir power to procure a decision
against the constitutionality of the
Legal Tender act. But the Repub- |
leans stood true to their faith.
Owing largely - Democratic oppo-
ition, the notes and bonds Of the I
government did depreciate, and by
hat means the war WAS made to
.ost the people millions Of dollars
more than It would have done. But
,ublic confidence IN the capacity
nd honesty of the government
.nder a Republican administration,
hough it was sometimes shaken
nd wavered, never gave way en-
rely, and the greenbacks were
made to answer the purpose for
7hich they were issued.
After four years of strife, the
7ar ended. At times the scales
'ere so evenly balanced, that the
nal result could not be foretold.
he stoutest hearts quailed and
ave way to despair. But finally
he Union cause was triumphant
nd the country was saved. The
party had kept its first
reat promise, armed rebellion was
an end, and the unity Of the
alton established.
Other difficult questions arose,
nd the people again said, we will
rust the Republican party for their
ettlement. The shackles of slavery
ad been stricken from four millions :
E human beings. That party said
lat freedmen in name should be {
'eedmen in fact; that they should ;
G clothed with all the rights Of ]
,merican citizenship; that they {
Mould have the right to go before
lie courts of the country and de-
land redress for their grievances as !
Their people, and, further, that they
lould have the right to vote and |
old Office. To all this the Demo {
ATTIC party was fercely opposed. i
ut the Republican party kept its
,Omises to the country and to the
eedmen, and if the colored man :
oes not now enjoy equal civil and
olitical rights in every State in the /;
Mon, it arises from a disregard of :
&c Federal Constitution and the
VS., in States where the Demo .