Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-09-09
T8yE OEaocadcrs CONSISTENCY.

There may be few men in Ten
nessee who still believe that the
State Credit Democracy have not
been consistent on this debt ques-
ton, but they belong to that blind
Ell and unfortunate class Of human
beings who convinced against
their will, are of the same opinion
still"
Of course it is folly to attempt to
convince a man who is determined
not To be convinced Of the fall
lacy Of his position; who permits
passion and prejudice 10 get the
better of his reason, but there may
yet be some who are not so com
pletely carried away and made
mad by this wild, unthinking pop
ular clamOr for the readjustment of
our settled debt, as not to give the
subject calm, quiet secOnd-thOught.
OF such we ask an unprejudiced,
thorough retrospect Of all the plat
forms promulgated by the Demo
cratic party of Tennessee on this
debt question since it came into the
politics of the State. If this is done,
il will be seen by every unbiased
mind that, upon it, the Democratic
party has always been consistent,
has always been right, has never
faltered. From its first return to
power after the war, up to this good
day it has always declared for the
strict maintenance of the public
faith. All along the years since, so
long as the party has stood to-
getheT, these were its cardinal prin-
ciples. In 1880 when the first great
bolt occurred, lead off by Wilson
and his reputation crowd, the true
party stood firm. 1t declared in no
unmeaning terms its allegiance to
the National Democracy and its IN
faltering faith in and devotion to
its traditions and principles. 1t
then declared:
2 We, rcas5ert our opposition to the
reputation of any of the public OBJ
legations of the State or Federal
Government, and declare that the
reputation of either upon any pre-
text or disguise would be the most
dirvfui of evils, moral, financial and
political, and in the patriotic lam
guage of the National Democratic
platform, we pledge ourselves to
the strict maintenance of the public
faith, State and National.
We recognize disposition upon
the part OF the creditors Of the State,
in view of the great losses entailed
by the late war, the great depres-
sion OF business, and the general !
shrinkage in value, to make lib
eral reduction in both the princil al |
and interest of our Indebtedness, |
and we declare that we favor a |
prompt settlement by the Legisla-
ture with our creditors upon the |
best terms that can be agreed upon !
as result OF negotiations.
Upon this platform it went to the |
country and upon these declarations |
Il Legislature was elected that has
settled the debt. 1t is now being
to override and nullify |
that settlement. The Democratic |
party stilltrue TO its principles, true
To itself and to its great fOster-moth-
er, the National Democratic party,
again declares:
f'irst-That we are unaltGrably
to the reputation of any
of our State or National obligations,
and are in favor of maintaining ill.,
violate the public faith.
SecOnd-That we recognize the
recent settlement of the State debt,
made by the present Legislature, as
in accord with the platforms Of the
Democratic party of 1880, both State
and National, and as 'just and
honorable, both to the people and
the creditors of the State" and de-
clare that it should not be disturbed
or readjustCd.
Who can gainsay her consisten-
cy? Where in all this long, honor
able record is the shadow Of varia-
hleness or changing? She has stood
firm and always favored the prompt
of the debt upon the
best terms that could be agreed up
on as the result of negotiation.
These terms have been presented
to her, she has accepted them, the
lGbt is settled, the bonds are rapid
y being funded. The party is
pledged by every binding tie and
sacred contract TO see to the fulfill
ment and maintenance of this con-
.ract. Those who claim to be Dem
lcrat5 and are opposed to its main
enance are "bolters" from the ira
litions and principles of their par
Y. They run exactly counter to
he timc-hOnOred teachings of the
larty, both State and National.
The effect OF their movement tends
owards Reputation, to the viola
ion of the public faith, and to the
permanent overthrow and lasting
disgrace of the democratic party.
If the readjuster movement i'll
Tennessee is persisted in, If it is
to this extent and end
viii it come at last. 1t is traitor
JUS blow at the very heart and life
# Democratic principles; the UNI
wise sowing of the Dragons teeth,
rom which will spring up enemies
If the government and red-handed
We appeal 10 the good people of
thousands of whom, have
leen led of III an unguardCd mo-
nent by the prcjudices and passions
If the hour to give succor and en-
to this movement, to
stop and consider what they are
ioing. We honestly believe that
lpon the issue of this question
which, Notwithstanding the dictum
If some OF the great leaders of Re
is not of small import
mce-depends the future success
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