The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-10-14

the state in calling him to the guberna-
torial chair, and that such honesty, ca
pacity and fidelity in a public trust in
these times demands the retention of
| Gov. Brown in the executive office for
another term, we do, therefore, uRGni-
D1OusIy present the name Of John C..
Brown to the people of Tennessee as
our candidate for reelection to the of
flee of governor, and, in so doing,
pledge to him our united and most
cheerful support"
In the succeeding canvass the fund
ing of the past due bonded debt OF the
state was advocated in every part of
the state. The character and anOunt
of the debt was specifically stated and
published generally by the press of the
state, and after my second election and
Inauguration, used this language in
my message in January, 1873:
81 respectfully suggest that you fund
the entire bonded debt OF the state, in
Guiding, of course, the past due coupons
in a new series OF bonds having forty
years to run to maturity bearing inter
est at the rate of six per cent. per an
mum, payable in January or July of
each year."
The funding bill was passed, and the
bonds and coupons then due and only
those were funded.
After the funding was virtually COM
pleted, resulting in funding about ST.
130, 900 OF due bonds GALL of which were
issued prior to the war; and S5,l5l 900
of past due coupons Gnterest) the dem
ocratic convention of 1874 assembled
and among other things passed the fol-
lowing resolution:
"That His Exsellency GOV. John C.
Brown has faithfully carried out the
principles clearly set forth in the plat
forms upon which he was twice nOnli-
mated, and is entitled to the gratitude of
the people for the able and efficient
manner in which he has executed the
high and delicate trust committed to
his keeping as governor of Tennessee"
The same convention adopted a reso-
luton committing the democratic party
to the payment of the whole debt, and
nominated James d. Porter for govern
or on that platform, who was elected by
$4,000 majority.
mention these scraps of history for
the double purpose of indicating my
self from malevolent criticism, and to
show that the democratic party of Ten
nessee has been committed, time after
time, by every method of party pronnn-
citation to an admission Of the legality
anu Tie payment OF the U0DIs
1t may be confidently asserted that
until the financial panic of 1873, there
was no controversy in Tennessee, either
over the liability of the state for the
payment of all the bonds, or the pur-
pose OF the people to pay them. The
results of that frightful financial reyul-
sion very greatly diminished the re-
sources of the country. Fortunes,
which were the monuments of long
years Of honest toll and intelligent ELL
terprise. went down in an hour. Tax
able values diminished one-half. The
general distress, thus brought on the
country by extravaganza at Washing
ton and general corruption and prOtii-
gate waste, under radical rule, made the
hand of the tax gatherer oppressive
where it had hitherto not been felt.
Demagogues, like vultures, saw their
opportunity, and famed the flame OF
discomfort, until we now have the dark
spectre of reputation at our very
doors.
Had the financial panic never come,
our interest would have been promptly |
paid and the honor of our state would
have remained untarnished.
The democratic party of Tennessee
to-day, under the leadership of Wright,
admit the liability of the state to pay
the deOt. They desire and will endeav-
or to secure a compromise with our |
creditors on terms that will enable us
to pay it without expressing the tax
payer.
The Wilson faction would enEulf the |
state in the dark and damning abyss of
reputation. Will this intelligent peo-
Pile, proud of the Traditional honesty |
and glorious memories of their state,
lend their influence to such an unholy |
purpose? Will they depart from the
teachings of the long array OF states
men and soldiers who have added in
succession increased lustre to the es-
cutcheon of Tennessee's fair fame, and
go off after false gods which their ia
theirs never knew? 1 cannot-I will