Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-08
HIGH AND LOW.
The Democrats Of Shelby County Meet
and Resolve to Forget ALI Past
Disagreements.
The Different Wings of the Party Agree
Upon 50-3-ElOquent and Sensi-
BILE Speeches.

| Last night the prominent Democrats OF
| Shelby county met in the County Court room
/ pursuant to the call of the two chairmen of
| the high and low-tax parties, Esquire Cole
man and Esquire Smith. 1t was very har-
monious meeting, and the high and low-tax
I men recognized the fact that the occasion
| called for temperance and torgetfulness of
/ past differences. Those assembled saw
I clearly that the interests of Tennessee de-
msnded the unifcatioD of the Democratic
! party. The debt question entrusted to the
Republican party had not been settled, and
1t must now be entrusted to the Democrats
II all meetings prove to be as harmonious
and free from personal feeling as that of last
night, the State debt will be speedily settled
at the figures suggested, 50-3. Every man
present showed a spirit of Cancellation
Those who were low went up and those who
were high came down, and they met upon a
level and parted upon the square Those
who came to scott remained to pray. Such
meeting was calculated TO give dignity and
force to the Democratic cause and it will win |
respect broad, attract attention and secure |
sympathy at home. Among those who !
wished to look and participate in the re- |
turn OF good feeling between the hitherto |
dissenting wings were: General Gordon, j. J. |
DuBose, Colonel CAN'T, Colonel NJ. c. Gala |
way, James Phelan, p. NJ. Winters, R. c. |
Williamson, J. E. Douglass, H. l. Priddy, |
Minor Meriwether, ]. Harvey Mathes, James |
Harris, Judge Peters, Captain Hillsman,
Esquire Quigley, Esquire Coleman, ESQUIRE |
Smith, Thomas Boyle, Henry ]. Lynn, Mr.. |
Edgington, Mr.. Schoolfeld, and a host of |
prominent business and professional men.
By the appointed time the courtroom was
well filed, and Esquires Coleman and Smith
called the meeting to order.
Esquire Coleman announced tn at the object
OF the meeting was to take some action on
the State debt question, with view to har-
monizlng the Democratic party and place it
IN position to win the next political race.
CHAIRMAN ELECTED
Mr.. Peters nominated Mr.. Henry J. LYNN
as chairman of the meeting, and he was |
unanimously chosen. % assuming the chair
Mr.. Lynn said: We have assembled as Demo-
Gratis in pursuance of an official call. The
meeting was postponed from last week in or
der to give the country Democrats of Shelby
chance 10 be present. He desired to say to
those present that they met tonight under
circumstances favorable to the unIfica-
ton of the Democratic party, and
they should act in spirit of concession.
They should determine to set aside their
differences and go forward to the next con-
test united and with a solid front. He said
that they should all unite in invoking the
good genius of the party, by presenting to
the public square, clear settlement of the
public debt, the difficult point on which
would be the basis of agreement. They
should define their position clearly and I'M
nistakably, and they should send these res
oIutions as patriotic greeting to the Demo-
Gratis all over the State to help unite them in
the next great struggle. Mr.. Lynn then an
that the meeting was open for
business.
General Gordon moved that the members
ot the press be elected secretaries of the
meeting. Carried.
Colonel Galloway moved that Messrs.
iolppnan nd he a. - ! Z
ients. Carried.
General Gordon moved that committee |
of ten be appointed on resolutions, to report 1
back, if possible, to the meeting. Carried. {
The Chair appointed the following COM
nittee: General G. W. Gordon, james Phe- 1
an, p. NJ. Winters, J. J. Dubose, R. C. Will
hanson, j. Z. Douglass, George CAN'T Minor i
H. L. Priddy and J. Harvey t
Mathes I
The Chair called for remarks in the alb s
ence OF the committee, suggesting that the e
peeches be in the line of harmony.
MR.. PETERS, {
,eing called upon, said that some steps
hould be taken toward the uni6cation of G
he Democratic party as well as the good of b
he State. The great overshadowing ques.
ion was the State debt, and one which would
livide the parties in the next election. Ten
lessee made great mistake in the past in =
unding and refunding the State debt, and t
ince the war not cent had been paid on
he interest from legitimately levied taxes il
The State was consequently unable to pay, r.
nd that was the reason why the State was O
ow IN default. Since the war many thou O.
ands OF bonds were issued to railroads when Ii
be demands of the statutes were not COM h
lied with. If they would reflect on the fact W
bat immense sums we're lost to the State, all
andid men would admit that part of this
ebt ought to be cancelled. In England and 7.
! the old colonial times, debts were often ~
compromised a matter of State necessity
he great question was, was it possible that
ny settlement could be effected which would
E fair to the creditors and yet not slight W
hat was due to the State. There were p
1mber OF men who believed in paying only b,
little over 100000 of the State debt oil
-e thought it grave mistake He thought to
lat any settlement made should embrace L
he bond well ALL The settlement that VI
as due, in his opinion, when in the legisla- to
Ire was fifty cents on the dollar and four per tn
mt. interest. That settlement won d satisfy g
I'M now, but he recognized the fact that m
ere were great number of people in the SO
ate who thought that more than fifty cents m
Iouid be paid, and there were others as
at thought great part of the 1r
.bt should not be paid at all. He thought, dc
,wever, that in order to unity the people, III
bring peace to the State, that all should az
eet IN spirit oil harmony and agree upon W
settlement. The State of Tennessee was W
rgely Democratic. The speaker had vi
ways, so far, sided with the Democratic w
rty, but if that party could not cope with hu
; debt question and satisfactorily settle it, sp
was in favor of an entire dismem berment tn
parties, and of founding new parties in as
: State. The Republican party had been SET
able to do anything, and he thought there ca
3 brains enough in the Democratic party We
settle the matter for ever he
THE RESOLUTIONS.
General Gordon then read the following co,
solutions: e.;
WHEREAS, We recognize a great variety an
opinions among the people of the State as wi
what would be a just and proper basis on ON
ich to adjust and settle the public debt of trr
! State, we think it would be wise and
triotic for those favoring the highest =
1res and those favoriDg the lowest to make an
final pOnpasaiaus oomDropoiaaz 81 JOu