The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 4, October, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 4, October, 1863: Devoted to Literature and National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Mr. Davis's 'palliation and excuse' for the non-payment of these bonds
was: 1st. That the principal was not due. If this were true, it would be
no excuse for the non-payment of the semi-annual interest. But the
statement of Jefferson Davis as to the principal was not true, as shown
by the _Times_, and as is clear upon the face of the law. Then, as to
the lands. The bonds, principal aid interest, were payable in money, and
it was a clear case of repudiation to substitute lands. But when, as
stated by the _Times_, this land was only receivable '_at three times
its current value_,' Mr. Davis's defence of the repudiation of the
Planters' Bank bonds by Mississippi, is exposed in all its deformity.
When, however, we reflect, as heretofore shown, that the law authorizing
the purchase of these lands by these bonds was repealed, and the
bondholders left without any relief, and the proposition for taxation to
pay the bonds definitively rejected, it is difficult to imagine a case
more atrocious than this.
The whole debt, principal and interest, now due by the State of
Mississippi, including the Planters' and Union Bank bonds, exceeds
$11,250,000 (L2,250,000). Not a dollar of principal or interest has been
paid by the State for more than a fourth of a century on any of these
bonds. The repudiation is complete and final, so long as slavery exists
in Mississippi. Now, would it not seem reasonable that, before
Mississippi and the other Confederate States, including Florida and
Arkansas, ask another loan from Europe, they should first make some
provision for debts now due, or, at least, manifest a disposition to
make some arrangement for it at some future period. If a debtor fails to
meet his engagements, especially if he repudiates them on false and
fraudulent pretexts, he can borrow no more money, and the same rule
surely should apply to states or nations. Nor can any pledge of property
not in possession of such a borrower, or, if so, not placed in the hands
of the lender, change the position. It is (even if the power to pay
exists) still a question of good faith, and where that has been so often
violated, all subsequent pledges or promises should be regarded as
utterly worthless.
The _Times_, in reference to the repudiation of its Union Bank bonds by
Mississippi, and the justification of that act by Jefferson Davis, says:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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