Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-14
RINGING
Against the IOO-3 Outrage BY the
Democracy OF Henry County.

A mass meeting Of the Democracy
Of Henry county was held at Paris on
the 9th inst, and after organization
and free discussion, the following res
buttons were adopted:
WHEREAs, The And General As.
sembly Of the State Of Tennessee, in
part, as We believe, by bribery and
corruption, and violating their most
solemn pledges made to the people in
the canvass, and by the platforms Of
1880, have attempted to bind sovereign
the people of the State, for generations
to come, and against their known
wishes, expressed In every conceivable
form by the Democratic party.
Whereas, Said act, known as the
100 3 settlement of the State debt,
was conceived and brought forth by
the Republican party, but passed by
the aid of a few Democrats, who were
induced to support said measure
either by corruption or through a
wanton disregard of the will Of their
constituents, and the pledges of the
party to which they protested to be-
long. And we as Democrats feel in no
way bound TO ratify the act Of said
parties 50 passed, but believe it our
duty, consistent with our protested
faith and pledges in the past, to use all
lawful means to prevent the execution
of said law, and to secure in the future
such a settlement as will be both hon
orable and just to the people Of Ten
n%esfee, and that will be in keeping
with the teachings of the Democratic
party of the State.
Therefore, Be it resolved by the
Democratic party of Henry county, in
mass meeting assembled, that we are
~unalterably opposed to said so-called
1908 settlement, believing as we do
that it is unjust and oppressive to the
people, and its passage was brought
about not by patriotic motives, nor as
the result Of negotiations, but at the
dictation Of the bondholders. And
the coupon feature is. we believe, sub
versive Of our Republican form Of
gcvernment-and such legislation, if
endorsed, would be dangerous to the
liberty Of the people by encouraging
future Legislators to disregard the
implied instruction Of their constitu-
ents.
Resolved, That we are determined
never to submit to such an outrage
perpetrated upon US by unfaithful rep
resentatives unless the same be adju.
dicated upon the merits Of the case.
Resolved, That the so-called settle
ment was not made between the peo-
pie of Tennessee and the holders of
her obligations, but an attempted set
Element made by railroad lobbyists,
spectators and gamblers And the
honor and credit of the State demand
its repeal and the political condemna.
ton of those members who violated
their pledges in its passage.
Resolved, That while we are OPP
posed to said 1908 settlement, we are
also opposed 70 reputation and pledge
ourselves 10 a just settlement of the
legal indebtedness of the State of
Tennessee. Such a settlement as will
meet tho appreciation Of the masses of
the people to be obtained in the best
practicable mode. And that should
be done BY submission of a definite
proposition in the selection Of mem
bers Of the General Assembly.
Resolved, That while some Of us
believe the State is under no obliga-
ton, legal or moral, to pay any part of
the railroad debt, but that It should
be settled inside the party recognizing
diversity of opinion in the party on
the subject and as an earnest of our
good faith, and in a spirit Of harmony
aud Cancellation, and in order to uDify
the Democratic party and TO secure its
success in the future, we pledge our
selves to any settlement that shall not
exceed fifty cents On the dollar with
four per cent interest, except as to the
State debt proper, which may be paid
in full, provided the same shall not
have the tax coupon feature. And
we pledge ourselves when such a set
Element is made, to carry it out in
good faith, provided the will Of the
people shall be obtained in the mode
above indicated.