The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-02-07

darkies were running about barefoot, SEEM
ing to enjoy the warm bright sunshine.
Some six miles out Icame to Van Folks
estate, who Is a nephew of Jas. K. Polk.
The plantation contains 2700 acres, in one
body, of productive land. The mansion
was destroyed by fire some years ago, was
situated near the center of woodland con-
tanning at least one hundred acres, from
which all of the small timber had been
cut Walks and drives had been con-
structed through and about the grounds,
while great many ornamental trees had
been planted here and there, such as the
pine, cedar, fir, hemlock and magnolia, all
of which, with the scattering large forest
trees, rendered the whole grounds in the
summer time delightful place indeed.
But now the whole surroundings have q
desolate appearance; an unsightly heap
of ruins now mark the spot Of the once
stately mansion, trees throughout the
grounds are dying out, the lawns afford
pasturage for mules, the massive and i'm
posing gatewsys have become useless, the
walks and drives are overgrown with
weeds and bushes. But amid all the
change, an idea of its former attractive
ness can be formed.
The principal topic of conversation here
has been the detalcation and attempted
escape in Mexico Of State Treasurer NJ. T.
Polk, who is now in jail at Nashville,
awaiting trial. Some $292, 900, and about
$1,000 worth of Government bonds are
unaccounted for, but are supposed to have
been lost in speculation and loans TO nu-
merous friends. have frequently heard
remarked that il was no more for Polk TO
steal from the State than it was for the
State to steal from the holders of Tenn.
bonds.
The present debt of the State is nearly
thirty millions. Some eight millions had
accrued before the war, which is called by
some the sacred debt" and twenty two
millions since the war, placed upon the
people by what they designate the "radi.
GALS" and the mention of which brings
from the average citizen exclamations
much more emphatic than polite.
Very many Democrats here are for "a
tariff for revenue only" while Governor
Bate is spoken of as "true and gallant
soldier of the Confederacy" On the day
of his Inauguration, citizen of this place
presented him with a picture of himself
Bate, which was hung up in his Office and
over which two small confederate flags
were hung. So l trust that Tennessee
now, at least, has Governor after her OWL
heart. The people here are desirous oi
seeing northern men, and more especially
men of capital come here and settle. Hard
ly possible that they would like to borrow
few thousand and then settle al fifty and
three, or repudiate wholly. tell then
| their own deeds are detrimental to theil
own interests; to get up ami out of thu
ruts, centuries old; TO throw off their pre-
| judices; to cultivate honesty as well a
honor, and her sister states will extend tS
her the right hand of fellowship and alst
aid her in developing her resources, anC
thereby to pay her honest debts, and ri6
herself of the reproach and disgrace of re
pudiation, which now hangs over the State
A little episode on the train yesterday
a colored member of the Legislature, from
Memphis, took seat in first class car
was invited to occupy a seat in second clas
car, refused to vacate his seat, the resul
was: our white ladies and gentlemen lei
the car, and our colored friend had tn
entire coach to himself. Prejudice viii
sometimes lead usually sensible people {
do many foolish things. ROLF.