Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-03-03
TO TIE pUsLjc.

Ii becomes necessary i'm taking
editorial charge of the CHRONICLE
that 1 should say something by way
of introducing myself to the Clarks-
vile public, the people of Mont
gomery county and the readers of
the CHRONICLE in general. come
to GAINESVILLE an entire stranger,
unknowing and unknown. My first
impressions of the place and the
people have met are most agreea-
bic, and the generous reputation
that the town bears abroad assures
me that l shall find it pleasant
place OF abode. s1s aeias.z.- :
shall endeavor in my manage
ment of the CHRONICLE to hold it
up to that high standard of truth
and excellence that has ever been
the measures of its conduct and to
maintain it on the. elevated plain of
morality that it has always occu-
pied. My predecessors in this po-
sition have been gentlemen of well
known ability as writers, and have
each of them built up an enviable
reputation in the management of
this journal. / hope that I may be
able to wear the mantle that falls
on my shoulders with the grace
that they have given it and to
WELD the editorial pen with some
approach to their ability:
The CHRONICLE under my control
will make no somersault in its po-
litical opinions. 1t will still be at
tached to the best interest of the
Democracy, upholding the party
when it is in the right and re-
serving the privilege to criticise its
actions when it is in the wrong.
1 am a Democrat from principle,
but newspaper under my control
will never be- party organ. hide
pendence in politics is meaning
less phrase, except as applied to
those who affiliate with one OF the
great political organizations that
divide the country, but rebel against
the party lash. i
The operation of political forces
has revived the tariff question and |
it promises to becomes live issue in !
National politics. A heavy taxa
ton, imposed to bear the expenses !
of the late war, has become unneceS-
sary in these piping times of peace |
and the surplus revenue lies idle in
the federal treasury. The burden /
of taxation and the necessity for /
reducing the revenue has brought |
the country to the consideration
of the tariff, and want of a party
issue has also assisted in giving this
question new life. Old issues are
dead and dry and politicians are
eager for a fresh bone of contention.
The tariff question is not likely to
break up existing party lines, but it
may cause numerous assertions
from both Democratic and Republi-
can ranks. The success of the DEM
Ocratic party almost wholly de-
ponds upon its treatment of this
important subject. / hope that
treatment will be marked by a
prudent conservatism. Free trade
and protection are perilous rocks
that must be steered between. They
are exciting party cries that may
be made dangerous shibboleths in
the mouths of Inscriptions dema-
gogues. In my opinion horizon
tai reduction of the tariff of 335 per
cent. would give the relief that con-
sumers clamor for and still afford
ample protection to American in
dustries. A greater reduction at
this time would in my opinion be
extremely hazardous; a further re-
mOval of the tax burden should be
made by reducing the internal rev.
enue. ..-
That troublesome and veXed ques-
ton, the State debt, consider in
allegiance. II the action of the pres
ent Legislature makes it tinality,
as it is claimed it will, l shall re-
joice; but should the question be
again remanded to the people,
the CHRONICLE will be found bat
thing for the honor of the State and
the maintenance of her credit.
l shall always endeavor to fur
nish the readers of the CHRONICLE
with the latest news, both general
and local, and shall use my utmost
power to make it live, readable
and, above all, a reliable journal.
r.. H. NANCEY.