The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-11-01

shall cease in Tennessee that Demo :
crat, and 10. halfstrain, shall represent
the people Of Tennessee in the United
States Senate. And finally, that the
vexed question Of the State debt shall
be settled and permanently put at rest,
before it shall disrupt the Democratic
party in Tennessee
Our dlsseEsions concerning the State
debt afforded the Republicans the oppor-
tunity for auccess. They embraced it.
When they observed the growing spirit
of harmony among Democrats they
sought 10 defeat it aud perpetuate the
breach by settling" the debt They
wisely calculated that some Democrats
would tamely submit, that some would
approve, aud that others would indig-
nantIy reject any settlement" made in
defiance Of the peoples will.
For years, Democrats had disagreed
as to the amount to be paid When
ready to harmonic and fix the amount,
The Republicans sought to prolong the
party division by presenting "settlc-
ment,' not only Objectionable in amount
but exceedingly offensive by reason of
the methods by which it was accom-
plished. In this they were not decelv-
ed. The Democrats, with great una
nimity, pronounced it unwisc, and de-
cIared for its repeal Yet, in another
respect, their disappointment was great
as to the number who would submit.
When our convention assembled in
June, no man yielded the opinion he
had before maintained-not one. But
every man, realizing the peril of the
time, subordnated that opinion to the
aggregated judgment Of the Democrats
Of Tennessee.
They compromiscd--to save the party
and the country; to remove the ques-
ton from politics to make settlement
upon which the creditor could with con-
Science rely; and the future will vindi-
cate the wisdom and justice of the act.
TO the 60-3.4.5-G act 10 Democrat
should ever submit. Dear and danger
Gus is the peace which shall be pur-
chased at such price. Democracy has
pointed out the way. 1t is easy and
clear Let n settlement by the people
be made. The question is then at rest.
Nothing will remain to disturb us. The
lobby will he rebukcd, an United States
Senator secured, Rcpublicanism expcl-
led, Justice done, and the confidence Of
the people in the institutions Of their
country once more restored.
The G0-3-4-5-6 maneuyre is no SET
Element. The original bonds them
selves, or the funding bonds Of 1873,
possessed the same vigor and vitality,
as will those proposed to be issued under
the 6G-3-4-5-6 act. They who now so
loudly protest about the violation Of
contracts, and the iixity of the so-callcd
settlement, seem to forget that in 1873
/ they were jealous in the endcavor to
substitute the proposed 50--l settlement
for thatof 1873.
lift could be done then, why can it
not be done now2 A funding bond is
Of no more obligation than an original
one, and can be dealt with in the same
way by the State
The Russell Executive Committee in
a late address c,ntcnGthat in five years
the GO-3-4-5-6 bonds can and should be
refunded in 4 per cent In so doing
they conCcde not only that the rate of
| interest which these bonds are to bear IL
cxorbi'aut, but also that the so-called
settlement will have to be ovcrhauled
and the debt placed under another basis,
in few years, after the concession.
| Where is the force of the argument that
this GQ-3+5-6 contrivancc is settle
mcnt and for that reason ought not to
be disturbed Z
The State debt is not the cause, but
the occasion, of the intensity Of the
present struggle. The Republicans as
pire to the control of Tennessee. They
have seized upon the debt question as a
handle to secure it. There is Il variety
Of opinions among those whose political
/ opinions are anti-llepublican in this
state; and while on this account they
may wranglc among themselves, when
ever it is realized that the onl y result
will be permanent Republican gain, all
differences will be laid aside to combine
against the common foe.
Anti-Repubicans, whatsoever may be
their preference for Mr.. Russell or Mr..
Beaslcy, will rally to the most efficient
element of strength. If examples were
wanting they are to be found in Col.
Edwards and Gen. Hood.
The election in Ohio justifes the OK
peclation not only of State but national
anti-Republican success. Shall this ex-
pcctation be destroyed by desertions ?
From whom do the followers of Mr..
l}easlcy and Mr.. Russell receive the
most fattering encouragement ? From
the Republicans, who, vanquished in
Ohio, strive to retrieve their losses here.
There are some who fail to apprehend
the significance Of the present struggle,
but fortunately they are few. Shall
representatives be faithful? Shall the
people be spit upon and their instruc-
tons despised2
Democracy, and Greenbackism, and
liigh-taxism, and Low taxism, and anti
RepublicNnism in all its shapes, are
mere garments when debarred of these
principles. Their viudication and cs-
adjustment will be cheap at any price.
Men may talk of settlement and repose,
but let there be no peace until it is es-
labiishcd that the people reign. Wei
shall be surprised beyond expression at
defeat But if it comes let the struggle
| Io mol i