Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-03-19

The above proposition, viewed in
the light of surrounding circum-
stances, seems liberal, fair and equi-
table, and we are prepared to urge
its acceptance. According to those
who have taken the pains to figure
it out, this offer amounts to a basis
of settlement equivalent to about
fifty and six, only two per cent.
more than the most ardent COM
promiser in the state could have
urged IT wished for. For some time
past it had been generally believed
that sixty and six would be the
very lowest proposition that the
bond-hOlders would offer. This
veryliberal concession coming then,
as it does, at a time when the hearts
of the uphOlders of the states credit
had grown sick and tired with the
hope, which had been so long de-
ferred, that some step would be
taken towards the solution of this
all-important question, is an agree
able surprise, and may be hailed as
the happy omen of a definite settle
ment.
If the legislators want to settle
the debt, nov is the opportunity,
now is the accepted time, and we
sincerely hope they will act like
sensible men, like men who have
their own private interests at stake,
and go Immediately to the consum-
nation of this settlement. We be-
lieve the proposition as stated above
will meet with the favorable consid-
Grafton of every good and honest
citizen of the state. No legislator
need fear the censure of his honest
constituents for voting for it.
We have been 10th to believethat
there was any true and conscientious
member of the present legislature
who did not want this matter set
tied, and who would throw any OBJ
stacle in the face of a fair and hon.
Orable compromise. They will now
be put to the test, and the people
will expect to see them march up
like men and patriots and redeem
their proud old state from the sus-
picion of reputation. Every man
who can apprehend the great truth
that when he owes a man a debt,
and his creditor offers him a fair
compromise, he ought to accept,
will stand up for this proposition.
Ought he not to look at it in the
same light for the benefit of his
state, whose dearest interests he has
sworn to serve. This proposition
is evidently conceived in a spirit of
generosity and fairness on the part
of the bond-hOlders, and ought to
be met with a like conciliatOry pol
icy and honorable fair-dealing as
that in which it was proposed. 1t
comes to us freely and voluntarily
from them, with no threat or COM
pulsiOn on our part, and we ought
to accept it. 1t is something to pos
sess the proud consciousness of
knowing that none of the debt has
been scaled, that we pay dollar for
dollar, with a voluntarily reduced
interest, and plenty of time to pay
it in.
The vast advantages it will bring
to the state are incalculable. 1t
would take chapters to recount
them. Our resources will be rapidly
developed, and all our material in
terests would revive to such an ex-
tent that in five or ten years the
payment of the interest upon the
debt will not be felt, and we can
begin to retire the principle. Let
us accept the proposition. 1t would
settle values, encourage immigra-
ton, foster manufacturing and
shower untold blessings upon the
state and her people. Let her guard-
ians and lawmakers accept this
grand opportunity, and T%ennessee's
proud name will be unsullied, and
her people once more placed upon a
plane of prosperity and success. BY
the exalted position she has held in
the sisterhoOd of states in years gone
by, and by every sense of reason, of
justice and of law, we conjure our
representatives to finally and for
ever settle this question.
!