Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-15
SAVAGE.
The Old Man Of the Mountains
Stands by the Action Of the
Convention.
An Open Letter I'm Regard TO the
Duty of Democrats.

The following is the closing portion
of a long letter to the Nashville
World from Colonel Savage, drawn
out by a letter Of inquiry from Colonel
John W. Buford, a State credit Demo-
crat, Of Jackson:
| have worked six years on this
State debt question. 1t has cost me
much time and labor. 1t has been a
war almost as serious as the Confed-
crate struggle. SANDER and abuse by
men who ought to have been my
friends, has been heaped upon me. My
purpose of relief to the people from
burdens too heavy to be borne has, to
some extent, been accomplished.
While | shall shrink from no duty, it
is hoped that General Bate will be
able to bear aloft the flag of Democ
raey to victory on State issues. To
defeat Republican men and Repub-
lican policies all along the line, | shall
work with sleepless energy. But
SENATOR Harris has repeatedly said
the State debt is a mere b~agatelle, a
mosquito bite to the wound of the
cannon ball, when compared With
Federal taxation" These great
questions deserve to be presented to
the people of the State, and the ma
ton in the light of true Democ
racy. Democracy has been defeated
because the line OF battle has been
formed too near the Republican doc
trine Of m%onopoly, bonds and class
legislation. With the consent of the
good people, | propose to turn my at.
tention to this question. Let the
Democracy Of Tennessee again encamp
upon the true principles of equal
rights, az declared by Jefferson, Jack
son and Polk. If on doing this, some
calling themselves Democrats, are
found within the lines of the enemy,
it is their fault and not mine, and they
must repent and return to the Demo.
cratic army, which | hope may march
in triumph to the election Of Bate, a
Democratic Legislature and the next
President of the United States.
There is a perpetual conflict between
business and bonds and between labor.
agriculture, commerce and manufac-
lures on one side, and fixed capital.
not taxable, and n-productive on
the other. The bond system of the
United States is a result of the war,
a mere substitute for African slavery.
The millions now invested in bonds
should be brought back into business
where it will pay taxes and help the
masses. | am for speedy payment,
which can be done in a few years as
we'll as in a century; and until this is
done, or commenced, Democracy will
never elect another President, nor
will there be a reduction of taxes, OF
economy, or purity in the administra-
lions at Washington.
There will be very little funding
under the ~60-3-4-5-6 Hawkins bill.
If the bondholder funds, he releases
his lien on the railroads, and when
the railroads are out of this battle
there will be little trouble afterward
to arrange matters with the bond
holders to suit the people. Let me
say to bondholders and railroad men,:
when the people indorse 500 you had
better accept it. There is but little
difference in this and 1874, which was
offered it 1877.
The armies of Washington aud La.
fayette fought side by side against a
common enemy. Tho one being Mon
archist and the other Republican. In
fighting this battle in harmony with
men who have differed with me in re.
gard to parties or the manner in which
the bond question shall be disposed Of
wish my friends to know that |
stand sternly by my declarations in
the last six years in regard to bonds.
civil liberty and the rights of the
people. Nothing is modified, re
tracted or abandoned. My record is
my platform, but my vote shall be for
a Democratic Legislature and Gov.
ernor. Respectfully,
IOuN II SAu.1r