Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-28

it is not the champion of Colonel Savage
| or Ex-Governor Marks, nor has it in
any way sought TO bolster up their
cause. While this is fact, the World will
say they are both Democrats, and both have
been honored with responsible positions by
the Democratic party. The man who thinks
that such men as Messrs. Savage and Marks
are without influence in the Democratic party
has made the same mistake that the other
wing of the party made in the last campaign
when it grew arrogant toward the minority
and thought that 1t could get along without
the aid and influences OF such men. The
World in all its discussions of Democratic
differences has tried to award to its oppo-
nents the same honest conviction which it
claims for itself. Because it considers that
Messrs. Savage and Marks are worth some
thing to the party and has sought to concil-
late them rather than treating them as in
significant feeders, as few newspapers have
done, should not be taken evidence that
it sought to bolster their cause. We may not
have agreed with them, and have long since
found that nothing was to be gained by
abusing the who differs with us in
opinion. If John H. Savage and A. s.
Marks should publish card saying that
while they were convinced that the State
owed the Estate debt proper" yet for the
sake of union and Democratic victory, they
would meet other Democrats who believe
that the State owes every dollar of the debt
on halfway ground, and settle at 80 cent?,
with graded interest, we believe that Democ-
racy has never achieved such victory as
would follow in the next campaign. Ii the
Democracy of Tennessee is satisfied that it
can wrest the State from Republican rule,
and s,ttle the State debt without the aid of
low-tax Democrats II has only to make the
trial. Now, as to fixing the figures at which the
debt should be settled, the position of the
World is so we'll known, and has been so re-
peatedly stated, that we had not thought to
be misunderstood- Tho World opposed the
1908, and one of the grounds of opposition
was that ii was inconsistent with the platform
of the party, which led the people to believe
that there would be a liberal reduction of
both principal and interest" in the settle
ment of the debt, and the campaign was
practically made by all Democratic candi-
dates on 50-cents basis. The Progress says
that the logic of events now point TO Senator
Daniels bill. We have repeatedly said that
this bill was in keeping with the campaign
of the Democracy, and we believe if it had
been enacted it would have given complete
satisfaction all over the State. We think
now that Democrats can be induced to accept
this bill as basis for the next campaign.
In fact, it might be embodied in the Demo-
cratic platform, and then there would be a
practical submission to the people, which is
one of the tenets held by our low-tax friends.
Wetrust that we have made ourselves suffici-
emily plain TO the Progress.
The AlI-Absorbing Question.
Nashville American.
The all-absorbing question in the minds
of the people of Tennessee is our State debt.
We can say this in reference to the future
policy of the american:
First-Believing that when public utter
ances are made with view and for the pur-
DIlDllC candidates for n pfiica ar
through public journals, good faith requires
that such utterances should be based upon
convictions. Therefore, whatever is believed
TO be the duty and best interests of the whole
people will be advocated, regardless OF what
politicians call consistency.
Second-Believing that the speedy settle
ment of our State debt is a duty of the
highest character, and that the people owe
it to themselves, as well on account of their
own interests az that OF our creditors, to set |
tie the State debt, We will do all in our |
power to bring about this result.
Third-The only way by which lasting |
and satisfactory settlement can be made is |
through the Democratic party, and hence, !
we shall oppose all open or covert attempts |
TO divide the Democratic party upon the |
plea of necessity in order TO sustain State |
credit. The importance OF complying with |
our obligations and restoring our lost credit, |
by speedy and Just settlement, is q matter |
about which there can be but one opinion |
among Intelligent men; it is of the highest |
importance. Our creditors may stand it. but |
we can't. elimination and recrimination,
investigating committees, strife in our legis- |
lative bodies, semi-political questions in our
courts, and bad blood among the people in
every part of the Stale, are evils which must !
be remedied if there is moral force in the
State sufficient TO do it.
How is the settlement to be brought about
and upon what terms? Not through the Re-
publican party. Whatever may have been
thought at one time among the people of
Tennessee Interference to the soundness OF the
Republican party upon the question of public
credit, no well-informed man now considers
the party professions on that subject as any
thing more than party policy; not but that
men in the Republican party are sound, but
as a party the result in Virginia has shown
that the rankest Reputation is most gladly
affiliated with if it bring party success.
But this is not the most serious objection TO
party utilization for expediency's sake. Sup
pose Democrats should, under misappre-
hension, unite with the Republican party in
sufficient numbers to control q Legislature
aud settle the debt; but the great bulk OF the
Democratic party oppose it. viii such
settlement be settlement? Coupons cannot
be made receivable for taxes and Democrats
who 90 over will have to stay, or those who
oppose the settlement viii come again into
power and refuse to levy taxes unless some