The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-03-31
Public Honor.


= -. Public Honor. ..s..< I
Public honor is dear to a people. Ihe
time lias been when 1t was regarded WIN
more reverence than it is at this time. The
trials Of war and the hsrdships OF VIZ
cious,s arranged peace and great loss OF pro,
perty have inspired feeling Of indiSiaua'
selishuess that is poisonous to pubic virtue
Rns let. us remember that, come how II
NAV, public dishonor carries with II INJURY
70 the citizen from which he cannot escape
Those who from one ground or another
NAV feel that they are not required by Jus
.ice to make aug sacrifice for the puo''o
honor will find out, possibly too late, tns'
tbey labor under q fatal mistake ~
n-oach that will attach TO tue iH'"n
.,o;r s,,+e cannot be listened 10 ""noN
modification by the hum e.a,,, fnr-
Tho SONS of Yirginis-shouia ~. "I -
fc;, ber honor-will hang Ihe'i o,"os ~ i,
howe wherever they go. :" nat Is 'o<eo
..a,;ro land. but the uoblest sentiment-sec-
100, - alteration of the Great First Cause
And when people cease to be animated by
=, ,bev are debascd indeed. Let us beware
Of deserving the State in her hour of greatest
.x.rem;ty that act will look so feariuliy
,;,c = forfeiture of all public devotion that
:, the ewes Of civilized people 1t would be a
proof Of it.
yirr;nians have not come to this, we
know; but let them take care iest tneS NC
condemned by the world.
We have assumed the whole State debt;
we have funded accrued interest; we nave
affirmed and reaffirmed our determination
20 pay aud VIC have met the bondhoiaers'
and have arranged with them for conces-
sion on their part-we to pay four per cea1'
nm two.thirds of the dcot. In pursuance
ofa,I these. what have we done? We have
done only enough to bring more clearly be-
fore the world our failure to fulfil our re-
pcated promises. -.E
Now. then, il is tine we had done some
thing better than this. There was time
when compromise with the public creditor
NIGH, have been made. That time IS gone.
We must now face the situation.
Have we done all we eau do: We 40 not
believe it. Gentlemen have said that we
have, and they make true what they say By
trying to do no more.
Are the different classes sure that they
have discharged their public duty? Think
Ct it. gentlemen. Are you not too care
full of private interests and too care.
esS Of those of the Commonwealth? Let
Us ask all If each Of them has not been
disguised with the vigorous opposition Of
others to any tax upon things they are in
terested IMP. Yes. all are GissuSted with al
others, and justly SO; and the truth is, that
they all stand in q state of defence, aimed
and fortified, to- turn away the tax-collector,
who, like a poor traveller is ever commended
to houses further on the road, until the last
door is shut and~he bivouacs in the forest.
Now, gentlemen, have we not enough oil
patriotism to stand by Virginia: Merchant,
ind farmer, and mechanic, living under the
Government and enjoying its protection,
can't they, all Of them. bring their minds TO
he point of bearing little more to lift
heir State out of the sinking slough OF dis.
lonor? 1t could be done, and it will intlict
| lasting diShonor upon this venerable State
+ it is not done.
We do not believe there would be any
hesitation about the matter if the people
would deliberately consider how much evil
would flow from di>honor and how much
much prosperity and
" ealth-w would follow The redemption Of the
public obligations. With the State credit at
the literal Investments of capital
Invited by this perfect REIMBURSEMENT of
public faith-witt the pride in his State full
blown in every mans hcart-wiih content
1aent and energy and hope auimatng every
breast, We should enjoy blessings 10 acquire
which We may make great sacrifices.
The Legislature has not long to sit. Can
1t not devote itself earnestly TO the taX-pill,
and determine upon system that will meet
present demands and commence providing
IL. the future:
We tell the people that this must be done,
OK reputation stares us in the face. We
can get no help. We, must pay our own
ueo,s. The Federal Government will never
help us. Nobody will lend Us anything.
We have no credit. .2:
Oh, let lis sing no more doleful songs OF
poverty let US set up no more claims to
help; Danish despondency; scorn moaning
and appealing for pity; spurn demagogues
with their pretended sympathies; but, shout
dering our burthens like men, let us Vindi
cite our own manhood, independence, anC
love for Virginia by lifting her up and set
ting her in her true and noble position a!
amongst the first Of communities for all th,
vir,uesthat adorn State and make her PEG
pie happy.
Fnox 1T FRaScEt She has Maid th in