Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-22


there was significance in the fact that sc
large number of people were taking an in
terest in political discussions. There wa;
fear that Tennessee would fall from the line
of what is known as the "Solid South" Gen.
eral Bate showed the Importance to the
National Democracy of electing Democratic
United States senator and Democratic con-
gressmen in Tennessee, and urged the people,
even if they should see fit 10 oppose him, to
elect Legislature which would send some
tried Democrat to the United States Senate.
The result Of the coming election, he showed,
would be potent in deciding the national
contest in 1884. A corrupt administration,
he said, recognized the great necessity for
remaining in power that their villainies
might not be investigated and exposed.
Seeing in Tennessee a State in which,
through difference of opinion on the
State debt, the Democratic party was
divided, the Republican party was
prepared to bring to bear the most powerful
agencies at their command. A similar
scheme had succeeded in Virginia, but he
was glad to say party differences in that
State were about to be healed. Not only on
account of affairs at home, and because of
the critical condition of affairs in Congress,
but because of the widespread demoraliza-
ton which would take place in Democratic
ranks everywhere, it was incumbent upon
the Tennessee Democracy not to let the Re-
publican scheme to divide them and win
succeed. That the Republicans expected to
do SO, was evident from the remarks OF their
leader, Mr.. Houk, to the effect that through
Tennessee and Virginia his party intended
to break the "Solid South" Mr.. Houk also
brought to the Republican State convention
Arthur's assurance that the patronage of
Office would be turned toward Tennessee with
hat end in view. General Bate said that
men could occasionally be found, who, Tor
some Office, were willing to sell their lnfiu-
ence. It was a significant fact, that at the
close of Houk's speech, Mr.. Gibson proposed
three cheers for the State-credit Democracy"
General Bate next referred to the imam
GUS action OF Governor Hawkins while a
Judge OF the Supreme Court and creature
of Brownlow. He had decreed that the
Confederate soldiers were not entitled to the
ballot, and placed it instead in the hands of
the newly emancipated colored man. This
man Hawkins now asked these same men to
vote for him for the chief Office in their gift.
General Bate traced the history Of the
debt trouble from the time when it first began
to agitate the public mind until 1t had re-
duced Democratic msjority OF 10000, and
at last resulted in the election of Republi-
can. The reason that the debt question had
not divided the party sooner was that the
people were ignorant of its history. In re-
ferring to the canvass OF 1880, which ended
TO Democracy, General Bate
said that he supported Wright, as the regular
even against his warm per-
sonal friend Frank Wilson. The lat
ter was now advocating his own
election as a regular Democratic nomi-
nee, while Wright was standing on the tenn
perance plank [laughter] of the boilers
platform, patting RUSSELL on the back. The
were encouraging both Wright
and Wilson in the canvass of 1880, while
Hawkins followed like jackal in the race,
and devoUriDg that which his competitors
were contesting for.
General Bate spoke then of the desire for
harmony in the Democratic ranks which led
to the call for a joint convention. This call
was opposed by some when discussed at the
Maxwell House, among them James E. Bal.
ley. These same men were found among the
leaders in the bolt which occurred after the
had adopted its platform. Gen
eral Bate referred TO that convention which
met on June 10th, as one of the most
as we'll one of the
mightiest and purest bodies which had
ever assembled in this or any other ST ate.
Dat of 400 delegates 1859 voted for the
platform. Thomas Jefferson
as one OF the first principles of
Democracy that the majority must rule. 1t
oolted the action of the convention to say
we stand on principle, we will preserve the
honor of the State" Somebody wanted to
play the part of Mahone in Tennessee.
Lacking the requisite strength in his own
party be was trying to effect an alliance with
is enemies.
General Bate also spoke of the misrepre-
entation of the boiler press, but was thank
al that they did not hold the votes of the
PEOPLE in their grasp.
General Bate next spoke of the great
forts which are being made by the Funding
Board under the sixty-and-six act to induce
to fund under its provisions.
they claimed that when the bonds were
undeG they became contracts, which are in
'iolable. He wished TO know where they
FCuld get the money to pay the taxes, to
,ay the interest on these bonds if the people |
efused their consent. Moreover, it would |
e proven that these bonds were not in |
'iolable contracts. The voice of the people |
las plainly said that taxes will not be paid |
nder this settlement. The bondholders |
Tould gladly come forward and ask him to |
ign their bonds, should be be elected, when |
hey found that fifty was the basis |
emanded by the people.
General Bate next referred TO the farcical |
smperance plank, which was interjected as
mere catch note, and by delicate illusions
} Its cnle1 advocates, showed us aDSurQlty
, the satisfaction of all.
The orator next presented fine argument |
show that there was nothing mons,rous or
isastrous TO the State in scaling debt after
war. Other States, having suffered re-
erses, had repudiated (naming the in
ances) large portions of their debts. The
.gular Democracy of Tennessee only pro-
osed to scale the railroad debt, and if that
reputation, then the boilers are guilty of
,pudiation. The general then showed the
of the cry raised by the rail-
dads against the platform of Democracy
hen it was an incontrovertible fact that
any of them had scaled their own debts.
he Nashville and Chattanooga railroad
we'd the United States government 81 ,7S7,-
10 for rolling stock, ETC., but compromised
lie debt at 81 100000. The Nashville and
ecatur road compromised similar debt
SOL, 430 at $4,000.
AS TO discrimination, about which such q
owl wss raised, the bolter's platform dis
in favor of bends held by educa-
onal and charitable Institutions, and it
utilized them to talk about discrimination.
he false cry of reputation In connection
it'll the Democratic platform, General Bate
id, was intended to intimidate the people
Id deceive them into belief that scaling
e debt was reputation and would injure
e State. A number of instances to the
ntrary were cited. When the debt shall
I'VE been settled at hfty-and-three, Tennes-
e will have paid more than any other
,utheru State toward the liquidation of her
ar debt.
The Republicans could not talk about re-
1diation, as they had repudiated 172 600
,nds, issued to build the Mobile and Ohio
ilroad, for no other reason than that they
I'd been signed by Democratic governor,
ham G fl arris.
GepfaIt Bate showed very clearly that
ere we1fe equities emitting the State to a
The principle of no taxation
Ihout representation had been violated by
, Bro-blow administration in the issue of
! ef14, 000, 900 worth of bonds.
The sixty-and-six was shown up in its
ne light as a wedge to divide Democracy.
The folly as we'll as the Inconsistency of
ose who objected to the payment in full OF
rs. Folks bonds was clearly pointed out.
General Bate closed with an eloquent APP |
al to Democrats to stand by the regular
ganization and defeat its enemies.
The speech lasted nearly three hours, but
as listened to by a constantly increasing
ovid, which was alternately held SPELL
,und by his eloquence or melted to enthu-
astic applause by some particularly tine
usage or unanswerable argument.
General william Is. Bale.
A self-made man; rich in literary attain
ents; true and tried upon the fields of Mexico
ID in the war between the North and South; lib |