Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-10-14
Gen. W. 8. Bate at FdyettegiHe-A Startling
Admission Mace IN HIS Speech
Large Crowd
Fayetteville Express

Fayetteville Express.
Had we the power to do Gen
Bate an injury we would scorn I,
do so. We regret, from the grea
bottom of our heart, that he ha.
seen fit to take, what we believe
the most fatal political step of hi,
life by indorsing that repudiatiOr
June platform and becoming it
champion. His speech here last
Monday has put to rest all doubts as
to the intent OF the party now seek
ing his election as governor. On t he
! points OF discussion as TO what that
platform does mean on the State
debt question, said he in his speech
here last Monday: "If you elect
me governor of Tennessee ON the
democratic platform adopted in
Nashville in June last l will fold
my arms when the bondholder
comes and tell him he must take the
5O-3, and If he refuses l will let his
bonds mould and rot" lie said this
about the railroad bonds, but said
he would pay in full the State debt
proper, and yet never defined what
that is, aud never will, for il is inn
possible. There was II large crowd
it town to hear him. Many people
from Moore and other places came
''fockwiSe," and we never saw bet
ter attention given any man on any
occasion. Notwithstanding the
great effort made to get up a loud
and bolstrOus enthusiasm, the whole
day, up to this writing, was re-
markably quiet, and only. an occa-
slonal " 'rah for Bate' was heard.
AS to his speech we reserve much
criticism that might be made. 1t
fell fiat. The people of all parties,
who had heard OF his greatness as
an orator, We're sorely disappoint-
ed, and many turned away with
hopes and expectations sadly torn
to pieces. 1t was evident that the
man is physically exhausted, and
the rottenneSs of his platform has
excited, in his mental greatness,
friendly sympathy for his failing
health. No man living, we care
not how great his abilities, how
profound his research and learning,
how high he may stand in the aft
ections of the people, can make
defense of that June platform. We
utter Il solemn truth when we say
that we feel sorry for the man. We
believe he fully realizes the sad fate
that awaits him in November next.
He, in his speech here, tore the thin
covering off of the monster of repu-
diation that has been lurking in
that platform. He boldly said "if
they will not take 50-3 let their
bonds rot" How is this for honesty
and fairdealing for a great Demo-
cratic party? Is dictation TO the
creditor of Tennessee that he shall
take, whether he wants to or not,
certain sum or nothing, democracy?
Is not the creditors consent to be
or al least is he not to be
treated withrespect? People should
do what is right, parties should do
right, states should do right and i'm
should do right. II they
are unable to pay in full, consult and
confer with the creditor. "Be hon
est if you never pay a cent" is a
good motto. Dictation TO creditor
by an individual, by party or a
State is nothing less than foul repu-
backed by power and dis
Reputation is bad enough
when excused by inability, but
when consummated with force and
power, coupled with dicta-
tion, deserves the contempt of all |
men and of all parties.