Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-07
Whr G1oonlx.

Pulaski Herald, Sd.
The ability to look on the bright
side of everything is a happy faculty
with which every mar is not gifted,
but where the faculty exists and the
observance Of the rule prevails, there
is never any room or occasion for
dependency. However, when there
is no bright side to look upon, as is the
case with the present situation in
Tennessee, what is a man to do? The
Nashville World reproves the Mem
phis. LEDGER for the gloomy view il
takes of the situation, and says that
there is yet hope for Tennessee Dem
ooracy. OF course there is hope
there is hope as long as there is life
but it is useless to conceal the fact
that the outlook is gloomy. 1t the
people were made to realize this more
fully it would be an incentive to re-
new their energies, and labor more
earnestly and make greater sacrifices
for the sake OF harmony. How is man
to be induced to retsrm until made to
see the danger of his sin Likewise,
will Democrats consent to make sacri-
fees, that the party may be reunited,
until thoroughly aroused to the fact
that there is nullum spem nisi in
pace? Right here comes a serious
question. Will a man sacrifice his
honest convictions in regard to the
State debt that the breach in the
Democratic ranks may be healed =?
We fear not. Then as long as the
debt question is an issue, the Democ
racy will never be united. What is
this but a gloomy aspect? Fellow
countrymen, let us look these stern,
unpleasant facts squarely in the face
and realize the dangerous position in
we have placed ourselves. The
best thing that can be done for Ten
Democracy now, and one that
will insure it success in the next cam
paign is, let an extra session OF the
Legislature be called and the debt
on the best possible terms that
can be secured from the bondholders.
If the bondholders will agree to 50-4,
then let us have So, and we believe
that, in view Of the present gloomy +,
situation, such a compromise would
be acceptable to a majority Of
the people of the State,
because the vexed question would
be out of politics. When
the debt is no longer an issue in poll
tics, the Democracy will triumph;
when it is otherwise, Republicans will
If it is not settled by the pres
emit Legislature, the probabilities are
that the result Of the next election
will be the same as that of 1880, or
even worse. But can Governor Haw
kins be prevailed upon to convene the
Legislature in extra session when he
that a settlement would be a
leath- blow to his party? The Repub.
leans are clamoring for a settlement,
and possibly be would not refuse.
Should the debt be satisfactorily and
adjusted during his administra-
ion, his name would 60 down to his
.ory as n Of the greatest benefactors
has ever known. However,
f we fail in this, there is one other
that can be used which might
result IN good. Let every county do
IS Giles has done. Call a convention
md request the executive committees
If both factions to hold meetings and
devise means by which the Democracy
nay be brought into harmony Of
and then let these confer with
she executive committees of the State
IF both factions, and adopt platform
that shall be a guide for the action of
The next State Convention.