Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-09-04


civil war, he was its ardent and devoted
adherent Since that period, he has
been not less bold and faithful mem
Der oil the Democratic party. and in
this apparent radical change oil polit-
ical convictions there is no inconsistsn-
cy. The limit Of this sketch affords no
proper Geld for the discussion of the
question involved In this statement.
Suffice 1t to az, that the prolonged
predominance OF party exercising,
during the sectional conflict and for
twenty years after. powers Of the gov
ernment far beyond the text and spirit
Of its constitutional scope, profoundly
altered The entire political s..ussion.
In resistance TO such tendencies and
policies, the very essence. of the con-
servatism which was the cardinal char.
acteristic Of the Wing party. required
men who proposed TO conform the
workings OF the government to the in
tent OF the chart Of Its Legitimate: func-
tons, 70 reverse their political attitude.
The Tnultiiarious mischief Of centrsliEa-
ton, and the absorption by the general
government Of all power reserved re-
spectively TO the several States and to
their peoples, became the paramount
evil TO be repreesed. To this spirit and
purpose, Is to be attributed Col. Houses
political views and efforts for! twenty
years past, and he 10 but prominent
exemplar and type OF a large majority
OF former Southern Wings. all histo-
~ teaches trueastatecraftto be the adop-
ton of principles and the adaptation OF
measures which may best preserve the
proper lends OF government and meet
current exigencies in public affairs, and
that differing periods present different
requirements. That is the just and sim
pie solution OF the question. To the
change in views us'necessitated, Col.
House has been indexibly consistent.
He opposes all interposition directly
or indirectly by the Federal govern
ment with concerns properly within
State cognisance and control, and re.
sists the centripital force in every d.
rection and particular. To this end. he
has recently published letter OF great
power in opposition to such legislation
as presented in the Blair educational
bill now pending in congress. and it
may be said that no argument deliver
ed against It in the Senate OF the United
States equals that letter in cogency and
conclusiveness, either as to the consti-
nationality or expediency OF the meas
ure. He does not hold that the ''gen-
eral welfare " clause in the constitution
gives Congress general power OF legisla-
ton on every subject, nor does he on
the other hand, assert the qualified
sovereignty Of the States against the
powers delegated to the general govern
ment, but he does hold the vast mass OF
legislation affecting the immediate con-
Germs OF the people. is wholly within
the inalienable province OF State author
ity.
Though holding no official connec
ton with the State government since
his legislative service more than thirty
years ago. be has properly been moved
to deep interest in her public affairs
and with customary candor and decis- |
ion, has expressed his views on CUES
tons which have agitated her people. |
The most distracting of these since the
war was the disposition of the State
debt. Its final adjustment, determined
by the Democratic State convention of
1882, was justified and boldly upheld by |
Col. House as the wisest practicable
settlement OF which it was susceptible.
Valued friends differed and criticised
his course as departure from the
standard by which he had held public
and private obligations to the governed. !
OF course he, with the large majority
who conceded with him, knew it was
ideally right that the composition OF |
public debt SO contracted should be on |
terms proposed or agreed to by the
creditors, but it was very clear the
time when such an adjustment was
possible had irrevocably passed, and
that in the ferment of popular feeling
and the rabid drift of eveats, repudia-
ton OF tie entire debt was imminent.
The action of the Democratic majority
OF the State, which alone could effect
any permanent settlement acceptable
to the people, was timely, and averted
a conclusion of the question which
might have brought irretrievable ruin
and irreparable dishonor. The result.
year by year, since the adjustment,
amply vindicates the wisdom and sub.
stantial justice Of the course pursued by
Col. House and those who acted with