Year: 1879

effects of which our people have


suffered more than their share OF


the consequences. l cannot forget,


sir, that Tennessee was, next to


Virginia, the chief seat and battle


ground of that war, and that the


valor of the contending armies was


nowhere more cOnspicuously dis


played than here. Our creditors


also recognize this, and attach due


Importance to our changed circum


stances. That they will meet US


half way, and compromise this debt


to a figure within. our ability to pay,


/ have not a shadow of doubt.


believe, sir, that they would take
fifty cents on the dollar, of the


whole debt, to he funded il bonds


at low rate of interest, and for


one, / favor q compromise at that


figure. 3.


We have it in our power to do


this, and in the name OF honor and


good sense let US do it, and take


the subject out of the politics of the


State. 1t hangs, sir, like a mill


stone around our necks, and unless


we do settle it now, and if we con-


tinue to pursue the non-action pol


ley of the past four years, it will re


suit in reputation, disgrace and


ruin to the young and rising gener-


alton.


Not only is this so, but no step


could be taken more disastrous to


the future of the democratic party
than the continued postponement
of this question. 1t will result in a
split in the democratic party. The
State credit wing of the party will
join the Republican party to put
down the reputation wing of the
Democratic party, and this will ulti-
mately make the people liable for
the whole debt. Added to this, this
course will tend to defeat the Ma
tional Democratic party. Already
1t is whispered over the North that
Southern Democrats are repudia-
tors, and that the Democratic party
is reputation party. Tennessee
is already pointed at to illustrate
the charge, and it is well known
that Tennessee is overwhelmingly
Democratic The question is asked,
if Southern Democrats repudiate
their own debts, contracted to build
up and develop their own resources,
how can they be expected to protect
the national debt. which was con
tracted to compel them to return to
their national allegiance.


Democrats could not more effect !
ually aid the continuance of Repub-
lican rule in the United States than
by following the course they are
now pursuing. If they want to kill
the Democratic party, they have
only to remain in their present at
titude. The Republican party in |
the North are going to make des
perate effert to keep in power, and |
Grant is again to be thOir standard |
bearer in 1880. The ''man on horse |
back" is the only man, they say, |
who can unite the foes of repudia-
ton, and strike a death blow at
communism. The reputation dem
Ocrats in Tennessee are giving more
to the Grant move
ment than if every leader among
Them were to stump the State in his
behalf. The Republicans are aware
Of this, and artfully foment the
spirit of repudiation in the Demo
cratic ranks.


Let us beware of the insidious
foe. They mean us no good. Let
is, while we have the power to do
SO, adjust the State debt and fund
t into new bonds, at fifty cents on
,he dollar, and remove the question
rom the political field. We have
,he power to do so. We, the au-
,horized constitutional delegates of
,he people. L am opposed to sub
hitting our action to the people for
l Iregard this as a most
dangerous precedent, and something
wholly new to. our constitution and
iorm of government. Under our
there are three co-ordi
nate branches of the government,
he Executive, Legislative and Ju-
liclary, and each of these depart
nents is supreme within the sphere
IF its lawful authorities. The Leg
stature has the lawful and constitu-
ional authority and power TO ad-
ust this debt, and the subsequent
'atification or rejection of any set
,lement we may make, by the peo-
Die, would, in no manner, add to or
IMPAIR the validity of the settlement
10 made. To hold otherwise would
De to maintain that our government
8 not what our fathers intended it,
md our constitution makes it-a
representative Democracy-but the
pure Democracy of Athens, where
he people were accustomed to as
;emble and make laws in the mar
zet places, without the Intervention
If delegates.


am not afraid of the people. 1
believe they want this debt settled
Is | propose to settle it. 1t is not
because l apprehend their disap-
)roval OF our action in making such
| settlement, that, l oppose submit
ing it to them, but because it would
De an unconstitutional and revolu-
ionary proceeding, bad precedent,
INVOLVING additional expense, delay
md suspense, hurtful to the govern
nent, and productive of no good.
We, sir, are the delegates of the
people. Let us do what is right :
md proper for US, as the dictates
If duty and conscience demand, and
f the people should afterwards dis {
approve of our conduct while acting
IS their agents, then they may
epudiate US at the polls. That is
he theory aud practice under our
Democratic republican system of /
and for one, l propose
o abide by 1t.


You Must Cure TIL at Cough.


III. With Shiloh's COnsumptive Cure
-ou can cure yourself. 1t has estab-
ished the fact that Consumption can be |
ured, while for Coughs, Brochitis,
NhnnniDn Cnnnh A Sfhma and oil dis /