Blount County democrat. [volume] (Maryville, Tenn.) 1879-1883, 1882-09-09

ing these lands were ours during the
war. If the agents, or people, had
been dishonest, they could have taken
not only the timber but the lands
also. But 1 found all, with one eX-
ception, regular and clear of any en-
cumbrance; and the irregularity in
that small parcel may have been an
oversight in one ofthe county officers,
BE that as it may, was agrccably
surprised to find lawyers and citizens
to volunteer their services in assisting
ID straighten the matter. Gentlemen
voluntarily would come to me "a d
offer their services, and performed as
much labor as necessary, free OF
charge. And these gentlemen wOuld
say: "if the irregularity was done in
error, it must be righted, and if done
purposely, it should be righted if pos
sible to accomplish it." From what
could learn the cost Of litigation
there, neither in lawyers fees or court
charges, are half as much as is GUS
tomary in other sectiOns--and estates
are settled up and property settled on
widows and orphans at a mere nomi-
nal sum compared 10 other sections of
the country. Their county officials
are also required and do publish from
time to time every item of receipts
and disbursements, from whom re-
ceiyed and to whom paid, all itcmized,
so the people can know how their
money goes, to whom and for what
purpose. Now, gentlemen, with
these facts, and many more that could
be said, you can readily see that the
main course of so much enterprise
and prosperity in that country is their
good government, sustained by i'll
dus:rious, intelligent, peaccable peo-
pie, who in the main are honest; and
that is in the main the cause of so
much capital and enterprise going to
that country. Capitalists seeks such
government and people TO invest
with ; they feel thatsitis safe, whilst
they sHuN Investments In a country of
reckless people and bad government
that is nearly always administered
by unscrupulOus, bad men, In truth,
bad government Is the greatest curse
that any people can endure, and es-
pecially local government, because its
oppression and outragcs bear more
directly on the people than national
government. Bad government is
always insiduous in its effects. 1t
depletes the pockets of the people di-
reetly, and indirectly every day it in
jurcs them in every way. 1t has no
respect for age or sex, but robs all
alike, 1t would ia Ike the last cent, or
last crust from weak, helpless Wild
ows and orphans to replenish the
pockets Of its INSCRIPTIONS, riotous
officers, or fill the the craw of those
voraeiouS cormorants-hangers on to
bad government. 1t makes a people
unhappy, discontented, and engenders
hatred to the government and admin
istrations Of such, and usually end in
riots, war, anarchy and confusion.
No government in the world is strong
unless it has the love and affections
of the people, and it can never have
that by oppression, class legislation
or partial administration. Hence, it
it is the duty Of all TO work for good
government, because it is one of the
greatest blessings on earth. 1t en-
courages and animates the energies
Of people, it creates light taxes it
legislates for the good of the whole
people, and makes all, the rich as we'll
as the poor, contribute equal amounts,
according TO condition, TO the support
of the government. No people on
earth can prosper without good gov
crnment. Having, as | believe, lived
under good and bad governments if
l had the strength of a giant / would
WELD it with a giants power TO i'm
press on the minds of the people, as it
were with an iron pen, the advantages
Of good government; yes, sirs, would
have it indelibly engraved upon thcir
hearts, US it were with pens Of dia-
monds> | would have it proclaimed
throughout the length and breadth Of
this great nation, from the ice-clad
mountains Of the north to the savan-
nahs Of the south, until every city,
town ard village, aud every bill and
dale, aud every lonely valley, might
become responsive TO good govern
ment and the bcncficicnt results there
of!
cannot close this letter without
special reference 10 a Few og the many
pleasant acquaintances | found. II
affords me much pleasure to speak in
the highest terms Of Hon. John
Ringes, OF Wausan, merchant and
land agent, E. b. Lord, Grau 81 Ora
ven. Silvcrthorn d Hurley, Silver
thorn 81 Plum, Bankers, alfthesc and
divers others are gentlemen Of The
highest sanding socially as well AS
in thcir Respective rallings. Aud al
Stevens Point llcre is niy old and
tried friend &, w. Ilungcrford, Bank
rand land and tay-paying agent,
honest, faithful, and competent. and
Of princcly hospitality. What he