The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-07-05

substance that majority of a party has
II right for the sake of its own success
to deprive citizens Of this and other
states Of their property rights, pro-
claiming that they are in the majority,
and therefore "the rightful guardians
OF the honor and good name of the
state, and that they willingly accept
the duty and responsibility of preserv-
ing them from faint or suspicion" and
that it is equally their right and duty to
settle its Indebtedness, the convention
pledges the Democratic party to unset
tie what has already been settled by the
Legislature and without any complaint
OF unfalrness, or of injustice, undertakes
to readjust the settlement. The mean.
ing is that the settlement not having
been made by the Democratic party,
but by a Legislature composed Of men
from both the great political parties,
must not stand, although it has been
fairly made, and secures to the people
release of 40 per cent. Of the debt. The
State must be thrown back into the con-
dltion OF doubt and anxiety which has
existed for so many years. The agita-
ton must be continued not because of
fragrant wrong, but solely for the reason
that those who claim to be the rightful
guardians of the honor of the State re-
sent any interference with their prerog-
alive right, and that II majority of the
Democratic party is opposed to the set
Element.
In the opinion of the minority this
doctrine is monstrous. The question
with which we have to deal is not po-
litical question in partisan sense. 1t
is one that very nearly and deeply con-
Germs every man, woman and child in
the State. The debt is burden to be
borne by all, and to be paid by each
and every one according to the measure
Of his taxable wealth. Democrats and
Republicans alike have an interest in
its settlement. The denial to any man
of a right to vote and act in regard to
it should carry with it an exemption
from payment Of any part Of the mo-
ncy The question is n domestic one
not related in any way to national poll
tics, in regard to which parties have
been formed and will continue to exist.
The doctrine, moreover, is not Demo-
cratic and cannot be justified under any
code of morals 1t is in opposition to
every just conception Of the duty of
State to its citizens, and of the purposes
for which free governments have been
established.
TIE trainers Of the constitution were
not content to leave property rights at
the mercy of the heetiDg purposes of the
day, or the caprices Of popular MAORI
ties, nor were these rights to be subject
to "the views of the people" EXpc.
ricnce had taught them the necessity of
protecting the citizen, not only against
the arbitrary rule of man, but also
against majorities, and therefore in Ar
ticle |, Section II, of the constitution,
it is declared "that all courts shall be
open; and every man for an injury done
him in his lands, goods, person or repu-
latlon, shall have remedy by due course
Of law, and right and justice done with.
out sale, denial or delay"
And in section 81 of the same article
it is declared, "That no mans peculiar
service shall be required or property ia
ken, or applied to public use, without
The consent Of his representatives, or
WITHOUT Just compensation made there
.or," and in another section it is declar-
I'd that no retrospective law or laws
mpairing the obligation of contracts
shall be made"
Another reason why we cannot con-
ent to be bound by the action of the
majority of the convention is to be found
n the fact that the resolutions uniustly
discriminate between the creditors of the
State. The holders of the bonds which
hey describe as the States debt proper
re to be paid in full, less what is called
he war interest, while the holders of ]
he other bonds, ofequal obligation, are c
0 be paid only ope-half the sum due in
onds of the State bearing 3 per cent
lterest, which is equivalent to less than 7
8 per cent. of their just demand. No c
ody believes that this class of creditors
hose claims are thus recklessly disre- Ii
lrdcd, will accept the terms proposed, y
nd we are convinced that the tendency
further agitation and heated discus ,,
on of this question is in the direction ,
downright reputation of the entire L.
'bt, and that there is great danger that r
it is not speedily removed from the
ena of political strife Tennessee will n,
I'VE to bear the opprobium and suffer ty
C losses that inevitably fall upon q re-
ldiating State. We do not assert te
at a majority of those who sustain the n y
ton ofthe convention desire to bring 81
out so unfortunate II conclusion to .
Is lamentable controversy, but such is
e tendency of these policies of poll N
es that are blind and reckless, looking N
weight of numbers rather than to -
inclples, and for the sake of gaining
fength at the ballot-box compel great
asses of men to add millions to the B'
bic debt. AS was shown when the
INVENTION having by q vote Of $50 to II
3 declared against the payment of
II interest, within less than three -.
urs afterward unanimously reversed ii
action upon an appeal made by a TT
member who declared
It, by so doing, they would add
200 votes to their cause, and your r
aner will go to victory" =
A L, all.4.a.,l 49,