Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-07-29
NOT A SUBORDINATE QUESTION.

Notwithstanding the assertions
of some of Tennessee's proud SONS
now i'm COngress-tO the mastery
inactivity of whom i'm regard to this
Stale debt, we believe, is largely
due the present condition of affairs
in the State-that this is purely IA
local question and of minor cOnsid-
Grafton to many other questions
more Immediately connected with
the interests of the National and
State Democracy, we cannot look ut
it in such a light. We believe that
it IS and should be first and foremost
to all others. Upon its honorable
and correct sOluti,n depends not
only the future of Tennessee for
veal or woe-which ought to be
nearer and dearer to every citizen
of the State than any other question
but its effect is broader and more
far reaching than the interests of
Tennessee. 1t will largely effect
the chances of the National Demo-
cratic party in their struggle for
power in 1891. The most effective
speeches made against the Demo
cratic party in the canvass OF 1880,
were those made by Roscoe Conk-
ling ut Cincinnati, and other places
in which he made the tendency of
some of the Southern States towards
reputation, the chief argument and
burden of his song. However I'M
truthful and unfOunded such charges
were mt that time it is not necessary
TO say; it is sufficient for us to know
that they were believed TO large
extent, and had great effect upon
the issue of that canvass. Since
then the disgraceful alliance of the
Republican party with reputation
in Virginia had most effectively
silcnced such charge and placed
that party where they sought to
put us in 1880, in coalition with the
rcpudiationists OF the land.
Since their alliance with Malone
and his followers In Virginia last
year, they have been ON the defen-
sive and have received the just and
earnest condemnation of all men
who recognized the sanctity of
honest obligations and held princi-
pies above party eXpediency and
the spOils of office.
What n spectacle have we now ?
We see our Representatives in Con-
gross, who only few short months
ago were bitter and eloquent in
their denunciatiOn of the course of
Malone and his Republican allies
in Virginia in their efforts to repu-
diate the debt of that grand old
State; we see them all to-day, with
one noble exception, alligning
themselves with the Mahones of
Tennessee and lending all their
power and influence in behalf of
the reimbursement and partial repu-
diatiOn of a debt already settled by
the law of the land.
We also see influential and lead.
ing Democratic papers of this and
other States, who were equally
severe and earnest with our Con-
grcssmen in holding Malone and
his Republican co-adjutors up to
scOrn and contempt, now daily
filling their columns with encOur-
agcment and support for the Read
justcrS of Tennessee. Ne Gods,
what consistency With what
beautiful grace will these same men
and papers urge the overthrow of
the National Republican party on
account of its unhoIy alliance with
Malone and the regulators of Vir-
ginia.
Aud they say, we must get into
power i'm Tennessee. Cti bono ?
For what great and good end? For
the Reputation of the acknOwl-
edged debt of Tennessee? ooh, no,
God forbid they say, Shut for the
purpose of redeeming Tennessee
from Republican rule, for the pur-
pose OF rescneing the Governorship
and a few other State Offices from
the grasp of the Republican party
and sending a Democratic Senator