The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-03-12

.sysassan
/ But simply the good will and protection thai
strong GoyernEnentS may judicious'y. ana
Incidentally sproftsbln afford one OF It;
| members.
sny it would be ;of incidental profit 70
the Government, for II The States were freed
from debGaDd, By an amendment TO the Con.
stiiutinn. prohibited from issuing bonds as
tf,ev now are from issuing bills of credit
| the General Government would DO d0ub.
harrow money as easily at four per cent. as
| II uo,g does at six. No Government, offers
safer and better bond, yet the embarrass-
| ments and bad filth Of the constituents have
imoalred or tainted the credit of The whole.
The defaIcation Of Mississippi, many years
ago, has cost the Government aud the people
of the United States the amount Of the de.
| faulted debt ten times over. Now, one-hail
| of the States OF the South, with honest in
tention and effort, are unwilling defaulters,
and among them one of the proudest and
Doblest, who once, Of her abundance, In the
fulluess of her love, gave to the Government
a princely domaiD,-the mother Of States
whose sons so largely contributed to making
US the most prosperous OF nations, and to
giving as what the writer, in his unlimited
| patriotism, not forgetting its faults, honestly
believes to be "the best Government under
| the SUM-"
A judicous committee armed with good
bill and an enlarged patriotism, Federal and
| State, seeking no advantage for the one at
the expense Of the other, may render the
State important service. There may be those
who approve the plan proposed, yet would
remain passive from the belief that Congress
cannot be induced to favor it, and that the
State will only subject herself to the NORTH
cation of refusal. That she has trying Or
deals to pass before she can be relieved Of
the burthen that Expresses her none can
doubt; and assuming that this repulse shall
be one, It will be but the repulse Of an hon.
orable effort, in her dismembered and de-
pressed condition, to do justice TO her credi-
tors and to maintain the character that be-
longs TO her history.
We should readily admit our grelt embar.
rassment, but show that our assets, in their
undeveoped condition, immensely exceed
our liabilities, and that they will bear ample
taxation to pay them, but that we need time
and good endorser, and that if the Govern
ment will give us the aid Of its name and
credit we can and will, by adequate legisla-
ton, make its endorsement as sateand secure
as anything human can be.
The passive policy but increases our en-
barrassment, while action, seconded by earn
est individual effort and influence, may &C.
complish the happiest results for the State.
And surely those who in her prosperity
participated in her honors and emoluments
would subject themselves 10 the haz lrds and
humiliation of defeat to serve her in adversely.
One thing is certain: that If the General
Government shall do nothing to assist the
over burtbened South generation must
pass before she can recover herself and
re0ccupy her position OF value and profit TO
the weather and more populous manufac-
turing States Of the North.
The writer, not being learned in the law,
had best not discuss legal or constitutional
questions. He frankly admits his inability
to clearly see where the power to do what
he seeks is given; but that latitude of con-
structiunwhich can give millions Of acres Of
land to purely local corporations, and mill
lions of bonds to q railroad or post-road,
because it traverses the continent, must be
elastic enough to embrace aid to those sec.
tons which without it are but p1ague-spots
upon the body.politic, but which with it
may and will greatly promote and add to the
general welfare both from the protection
given to existing interests as well also to the
Industry necessary to the development Of
untold resources.
1t may be that have dwelt upon the em.
barrassments of the State until have mag
nifed their gravity; but from my stand
point they seem huge, Observation-Disclosures
insurmountable.
AS to the probabilities of success others
can Judge as we'll as the writer: but as its
acceptance by the Government, with pro-
per guarantees by the State, involves no loss,
it is to be hoped that it is not beyond the
probabilities OF success.
In conclusion, may say that while this
article is written solely with reference to
our OVID State, its suggestions are equally
applicable to the others. Indeed, II Con-
general relieving act embracing aid upon the
TO accent It's provisions, it would afford SUBJ
stantial evidence Of kindness and good feel
ing toward the South, which would be fully
appreciated.
Almost any State ia the Union could take
I'D its own bonds with the bonds of the
Government bearing one per cent. less in
terest Virginia, South and North Carolina,
and some others on far better termsl and
were the plan proposed availed of by all,
single generation would exringuish State in
debtedness.
Assuming that Congress shall pass such q
general bill, and that all the States shall avail
themselves of its benefits, even then, with
almost any loss that is possible. from some of
the States dishonoring their obligations, and
certainly with any loss that is probable, such
bill would still promote the general well
fare.
Many of the southern States, at least. need
aid, aud / trust if properly sought, with
proper restrictions, there are friends enough
in Congress from all sections, North, South, |
East, aud West to give it TO them.
Not VirginiaD, but a soUTHEsNER.
Richmond, March 9Th, 1874.