The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-16
IHe-NutiOHuf .Deyf.

The Berhefey Union, in its last issue,
has a most solemn and lugubrious article
on the subject of rcpudiating our nation
al debt. AS we read its statements Of
,he vast amount Of this debt, and of the
other immcnsep ecuniary responsibilities
ofour Government which would neeessa
riIy arise, and then read its fearful des-
eription of the ruinous consequences that
would follow reputation, we really be-
gan to feel quite solemn ourselves, and
almost to turn pale at the "visions Dire"
which the writer's imagination has con-
jured up. But after brief reflection, the
question suggested itself to our minds,
who is thinking of reputation? Who
proposes this guilty mode of relief from
our national indebtedness? "Crime,
bodiment in the thoughts and then in
outward act, secures its end.' No one
that we know, or can think Of, but this
writer for the onion, has for one moment
regarded reputation as possibility.
In his thoughts, the crime seems to have
taken SO distinct a shape, as to show
"great familitary with his meditations."
1t may be 'hisexceeding virtue, forecast
ing this great crime, seeks by timely
means, its sure prevention.s This is a
charitable view of the matter. But re-
ally, the imagination of this writer, is
| most active and adventurous. 1t first
organizes great political party out of
certain materials from the North and
! the South-a party which now has no
eXistence,-then it proceeds in its aerial
| yyrations, to embody to the view, the
guilty designs of that imaginary party,
in the ruinous act of repudiating the ma
tional debt! The weird fancy of Goethe
and the prophetic power of Isaiah, are
here thrown completely into the shade.
| But seriously, our sympathies are deep
y excited for this frightened writer +;
md lest his terrible fears, should inju-
fiously affect his intellect, we hasten to
assure him, that upon the first indica-
Jon of any purpose of Reputation, from
my party or individual, we will join
w
live Union party, in {, crusade 10 the
death, against the guilty offenders. Re
pudiation OF our national debt! 4 debt
created in waging a war for the preser-
walton of our national Union, our ma
tional honor, our national existence
:" No heart less base than that which
brought sin into our world, with all it
woes would for one instant mediate
the deed. And the mind that can con
ccive such an act to be possible, must be
intimate with human depravity ant
meanness, in their lowest depths.
Conception Of crime, yet uncommitted,
Reveals q heart where hell is busy.
But however much we may admire the
ima9jaatiee power of this writer, his
: logic is far from convincing. He says
die OLD Democratic party oi the North
are going 10 unite with the South and
then advocate reputation. Prominent
: and old Democrats of the North. ar,
the largest holders OF United States GOV
e eminent bonds in the world-such mel
> as {. Vanderbilt, VIM. +. Astor, Geo
Law, August Belmont, 4. T. stewar
y and gentlemen who for lon
h time have been and are now active i
n the Democratic party. Among the Pres
- idents and Directors of the largest NJ
~ tionaI Banks Of the North. there are
be found as many Democrats as Repul
le licans. The basis upon which these ii
ee stitutions rest, is Government bonds
"a these repudiated, and the banks are r
med. Now could the facts be correct
IS ascertained, it would undoubtedly Il
nv pear that these bonds are rs largely
ON tac hands OF Democrats, as of any 9th
d. party in the country; and yet this log
elan OF the onion, concludes thai Nofl
ern Demoeratsare all engaging III agfa
conspiracy with the people OF the Sou