The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1883-03-01
SENATOR r.. E. THOMPSON.
An Elegant Speech by this Dis
tfnguished Leader in the
Democratic Caucus.

Democratic Caucus.
Mr.. Chairman-I cannot go
back on the state debt proper. 1
have been more directly connected
with the state debt question in a
legislative capacity than any living
man. 1 was there in 1852, when
the great omnibus bill passed that
authorized the issuance of railroad
bonds, and have been all along the
line. Legislative journals will show
that my course has not been hesita
ting or doubtful, but bold and def.
ant. 1 have everywhere and on all
occasions in this house, in the SEN
ate chamber and on the stump, de-
clared that the state debt proper
was sacred debt and that every cent
of it should be paid. l am too old
now to go back on a record OF thir-
ty years. standing. 1t has been my
highest ambition in life to so con-
duct myself as public man that
when am gone, as l soon shall
pass away like a dream, my sons
may say that II am the son of En-
NETT Thompson, foe to fraud, an
advocate of what he believed was
right, who broke no promise and
served no private end.''
Although the low-taX party has
been misunderstood, slandered and
maligned, it occupies the highest
vantage ground of manhood and
honor on this question We have
always said that the people did not
owe the railroad debt, that they
were not legally or morally bound to
pay one cent of it, that the citizen
did not hold his property as tenant
at will of the Legislature; that he has
fee simple title to his property, to
the products of his labor, and
when the Legislature takes it from
him for anything but government
purposes, it is plundering and rob-
bling him of his right. The low tax
men can go to the bondholder with
heads up and consciences clear, and
say to him that we do not owe one
cent of the railroad debt, that the
legislature never had the power to
pledge the property of the citizens
as security for the payment of rail
road debts. No such power was
delegated to it by the people. But,
sir, combination of threatening
circumstances has arisen, which
forces US to make a terrible sacrifice.
To secure the unification and sue
cess Of the democratic party, and
prevent our proud state from being
dishonored, demoralized and ruled
by the republicans, we will pay fifty
cents on the dollar and three per
cent. interest until paid. But,
my low tax friend, what about
the state debt proper? You can't
go back on the one-thousandth part
of cent on it without dishonor.
We proclaimed ourselves every
where true champions of the honor,
the faith and the credit of the state.
The recognition of this debt as a
sacred debt was our slogan of war.
We inscribed on our proud stand
ard, and foated on the breeze de-
claring, SIN this sign we conquer"
If the debt is sacred, how can we
bubble over the interest without
bringing dishonor upon ourselves?
If we do, thrice happy is he who
sleeps in private life below the storms
that blow, etc. Doyou not see the
consequences of the fatal step you
are taking? Do you see the ruin
that it will bring upon it by divid-
ing the democracy? Have you for
COTTON Brownlow's foul birds of prey
that rioted in your capital and made
it fouler than an Augean stable?
Have you forgotten the Hawkins
regime, when bribery and corrup-
ton stalked brazen-faced in our
midst? Then I beg you pause and
think. The ocean tossed mariner,
when the wild and threatening
waves are breaking madly upon his
vessel, throws over board his valued
cargo to enable his ship to ride the
storm, and shall we, in reckless
disregard of the public interest,
sink the "Old Ship State" to pre-
serve this little freight of three per
cent? No! Our country first, our
country last! When in the right
we will keep her honor bright.
When in the wrong we will die to
get her in the right. Then let us
be united. Let us unite and solidify
tue great democratic party, the fos-
ter mother of our republican insti-
tutionc and the sOnos of DrOSDer-
ity will be heard along the crest of
your mountains, and echo and re-
echo through your valleys and Ten
nessee, beloved Tennessee, will be-
come the noblest commonwealth IN
this sisterhood of states.
And many vanquished year and age,
Battles breath and tempest's rage,
May DER her sweep,
And still she stand,
A fortress formed to freedoms land"