The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-01-25
From the Richmond Enquirer
The Stnte Debt.

1t does not become mother TO
quarrel with her offspring, even Il the
Cesarean knife has increased the severity
of labor West Virginia is an I'M
natural offspring, but still the child OF
the old State, sharing with her COM
mon history anterior to the late war,
and even with that she is identified by
the gallant exploits Of her sons. We
have no quarrel with her; we rather
desire to extend to her fostering care.
We have for her a maternal tondness.
Especiallv are we torgiving since she
has returned like the prodigal son. She
feeds no longer on Radical "husks.
She tends no longer Radical swine.
She has come back to her father house,
and we have put ring on her finger,
and killed for her in our rejoicing the
'iatted calf.
1t would be unmannerly and un-
gracious in us to quarrel with her, but
still we must be permitted (most
paternally) to check her Incorporate
uovetriiUr Observation-Disclosures
in his message "a part of which we
published Yesterday to discuss the
vcxcd question Of the public debt" and
he does it in such a loose, illogical and
unfair manner, that it must be apparent
that he does it more in anger than in
reason, ANNA ted by his forced con,
struction of Governor Walkers Ian,
cuage into a threat, when lie takes oc-
casion TO point out TO the Legislature a
mode Of fair settlement, and adds that
after such an attempt at honorable
settlement, the only resort is the courts
of the country.
We are certain that this was never
meant as a threat, but merely as an as.
sertion of right on the failure to Oh
tain that right by all fair and honor.
able means,and West Virginia and Gov
ernor Stevenson must remember that
such right was never asserted only
after long and patient effort on the part
of Virginia to obtain some recognition
and adjustment Of it by that State and
a total failure even to obtain hearing
on question involving the hon
or and integrity OF both States
Well may the representatives OF the
State be reminded that the courts of
the country are open, and in the event
that future negotiations should result
as in the past, that it was their duty to
provide for the assertion Of our rights in
the courts the country. Virginia does
not threaten. She is impoverished, but
even in her prostration she is strainIng
every nerve TO meet her just obligations,
and in order to do so, she must, in JUS
tce to her creditors, enforce the claims
due her.
Governor Stevenson goes farther and
attempts to criticse the message Of Gov
ernor Walker. After rejecting the offer
to arbitrate, he asserts that, ";he Gov.
ernor shows the finances Of Virginia to
be in a PROSTATE condition" and con-
cludes from that fact that it is unneces-
sary to pay Virginia what he owes her.
"A very Daniel is come to judgment"
Because iorsooth a man is poor it is
right and honorable, and fair and just,
not to pay him what you owe him. The
Governor of West Virginia certainly
ought TO edit another work on
logic. But then he is doubtful,
If they owe the debt at all, who
they ought to pay it to. AS Virginia's
financial affairs are PROSTATE, he thinks
the bondholders may come upon West
Virginia. He is evidently afraid of "a
suggestion" and keeps a good lookout
for constable with a punishment.
Have you ever had notice not to pay,
Governor Have the bondholders ever
demanded anything from You?
This is but paltry excuse; an excuse
that comes with charge against the
honor and integrity OF Virginia, unkind
and unnecessary.
Equal to this is the apology for the
failure Of the commissioners Of the Leg
islature OF the State of West Virginia
to act; and what is that? That body
failed to appoint a secretary for the
and make an appropria
ton for the expenses of the commits
sion, and however prosperous the ''fnan-
,ial affair" OF West Virginia may be-
The Governor admits that he could not
get anybody to act on credit This at
east ought not to have been admitted !
n the same breath with a boast Of his
States prosperity But, to conclude, !
We feel quite sure the present LegisIa- |
ure of West Virginia will make some !
provision for an adjustment OF this
ieht. ----