Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1847-03-01
REPIDlhTlNG STATES.

A late numter Of the \. Y. Courier contains letter.
firm lis London correspondent "Anglo knickerbockcr."
upon the subject If refudiaton which, whilst il is cacu-
lated make false impression in England, and st fur
iher to excite odum against Tie ceutng STATES and in
lure the national character. docs great injustice 70 the
States which have never failed pay their interest, by
ascrbng ihr punetualty the lowest and selfish
motives. The position Of tie writer is-,liat reputation
has been 10 proportion the quantity of Stock held
by foreigners and that where the States have not failed
to their nterest has been mainly owing to the fact
tina, considerable part if majority, Of the holders
{ stock citizens. Far he il from say aword
in defence, mitigation Ct the conduct Of several Of the
States with Mississippi at the head Of them. Their re-
pudlaon was naked dishonesty-a course Of conduct
which, il pacsed by Individuals not residing within
the limits of the degraded States, you'd place them I'M
der tho ban Of ciey cheats and swndlcrs. But, in
u,ice to Mississippi, must say, that We believe
the charge Of 'Anga knckerbocher' to be unounded,
and that Considerations 10 which side Of the Atlantic
her creditors belonged had any influence upon her deci
on The question # getting rid of the debt was para
mount to the nationality Of the sufferers We do not
doubt that she would fsl soon Lave d,fTaudcd New
York a London capitalist. The same catholic spirit
tile same disregard untry. doubt not, has mark
ed the proceedings Of Arkansas, Michigan, ard other de-
laung States. Arkansas, fer instance, swindled the
United States out afthe Smithsonian legacy with lit
decomposition lhe money had belonged to the Roths
clds or the Barrgs Neregret, therefore, that such
charge should have lecn made as believe it to be
founded and il sgaravaes the wrong and is calcua-
ted to u ct deeper stain upon the American character
abroad. We the regret it, nasmuch as, unorlu-
naly the writer il enabled to adduce circumstances
which, though believe them accidental condolences
give great plausbity 10 the charge Tina, the greater
part by far Of tie de due by the defaulting States is
held by foreigners, is, unfortunately for the reputation
of country abroad, undeuiahlo tac'-bu fact sus
ccphie of eXparaon without resorting to the hypoho-
sis that the scrip hene alien hands the cause Of
dealcation.
However this may te there cannot be doubt that the
other allegation unounded and malicious aspersion
upon the motives Of States. which have been ready
make any sacrifice t. maintain their credit To say
that the States: winch have always met their interest
induced onahe tie ssary effort, simply because
he larger portion Of the Soek held by their cit
liens, and thar cnudiaon Wouil have been self robbery,
il a eratuitous and nnWarfaned apersun upn the Amer
character We have light 10 resent the insult, fr
Nguia mon,i.ned y WY Of illustration. The WI
Ter - New Work. Virginia and Massachusetts have
probably not thaa third Of their debt held by
foreigners and net to ray their interest is to rob them
selves We need not stop to asl whether similar low
un d, GRADED motive ii acting honestly might not be
imputed with even nora prarrety,to the British govern
ucnt the hole # lhe deh Of hich is held by British
subjects, We rcpd with Indignation The mpuation of
motive far as Virginia Is concerned. Such a consider
alton entered the heads o cur pc, pie their gs
la rs. Nra'na dc,crG ned. all sacrifices pay her
ucr5st-no because p9rton ef it went to her cit
liens butbecausc simple, old fashioned horcsty rcqui
rcd such course. There necessity Of appeals to
her pridc-hcr of honor-he, ancient fame. The
Obligations of morality never, Tor moment, ques
toned, and suggestion anything partaking of the
re ofrcPudiaon has yet To be heard for the first time
in the Old Dominion. Every one of her citizens must
feel H5ultcd when It'd that her good faith and credit
preserved, only because her debt all owned in
Europe.