The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-03-01
THE ONE HUNDRED aNp
THREE.
Our Thoughts

+ Our Thoughts.
a certain man bought note on US
for far less than one-haf its face. This
was few years since, when We were
"broke,' or thought to be, and all be-
cause men We had trusted had failed to
pay us and real estate had deprecated
oo per cent. after our purchases. We
tried to pay this man what be paid for
our note, hut he demanded dollar for
dollar because he knew he would event
ually get it, with interest and he got
it. The bondholder bought Tennessee
bonds very low, it may be, but it was a
business, selfmaking affair, just us it
was with the friend We haze alluded to.
Under the law both were entitled to dol
lar for dollar, and could get dollar for
dollar if there was any property Of the
debtor to be found which was not ex-
empt at the time the debt was made.
We therefore conclude that it is all
"bosh" to urge the non.settlement of
our State debt because the bondhOldcrs
bought bonds ut less than their face
value
We have expressed ourself as pleased
at the late decision of the Supreme
Court in regard to the 1908 bill-bc-
cause we feared the coupon feature
might give the people great trouble in
an exigency, such rs drought, pestilence
or war. 1t was agood decision by State
Credit Democrats, aided by attorneys
who were State Credit men. But the
debt still hangs over us.
Are you willing to submit the State
Debt question to the people7 is ques-
ton propounded to us several times the
other day on the streets in Winchester.
Most assurcdly Whether the people
be right or wrong, we submit to their
will. The people constitute Il State, and
can make their State glorious or con-
temptible. Our individual views will
never permit us to 60 against the poo
pie. Their will is lar, whetherfor good
or ba |.
We despise ostcntation. We despise
the man who feels himself better than
other men because he may (perhaps by
accident or Inheritance have more
money than another. But all of us
covet riches sufficient to ensure us
against want. Modestly, then, We say
that if the State Debt has to be paid,
pe shall come in for considerable tax
in the county of Franklin, and we would
pay it cheeriully, feeling that the good
name of Tennessee for fair dealing is
more priceless far than all the riches
that we might gather by taking advan-
tage of others. Good name in man
or woman is the immediate jewel oftheir
souls" "Who steals my purse steals
trash, but he who tilchcs from me my
good name leaves me poor indeed" We
want to preserve the good name Of Ten
nessee. Are her bonds any evidence of,
debit If they are, life is too short for
us to squirm about settling.
The State Of Tennessee forecloscd her
mortgage upon certain railroads, bought
them in, tried to run them, lost largely,
and then sold them. The purchasers
were innocent. And now the State
would secure herself by going on to"
innocent purchasers after she has ex-
hausted the principals, We are not
bought. Wcpay for our railroad ticket.
Why should there be "Low.Tax"
Convention in Winchester, or anywhere
else in this State? Why a "High-Tax"
Convention? We are all for low-tax,
but differ about the State Debt. Are
those who believe the State should pay
her bonds-are they to be counted out
as not democrats, in face of the fact
that Wright got about 10000 more
votes than Wilson If so, the State is
gone, beyond all peradventurc, to the
Republicans. Are members of either
faction to get down on their knees and
beg pardon for their honest views ?
Pride torbids. We shall vote for any
man for an office in Franklin county
we want to, taking only into considera-
ton his capacity and honesty. Why
not have called convention of all the
Democracy, and allowed the majority to