Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-02

her previously contracted debt, for the pay
III Mt OF which both the now discovered parts
had united 10 pedging the faith Of the whole
The responsibility ofthe debt was left between
Virginia and West Virginia, with no arrange
meDt for its equitable distribution between
them, ard with such conflict OF claims as rem
ders any voluntary settlement or compr, mise On
the part OF the two States plainly impossible;
while neither has such remedy as the exigeucy
demand for enforcing an adjustment.
The United States IN controlling the dis
cessary terms of separations; failed to N Ike any
provision against the grave and pcrplexing diff
cultles which have resulted. aud such failure
has postponed and seriously iutertercd with the
rights OF public creditors, has left the seeds Ut
alienation between States. aud between the Jeu-
pie and the government, has imposed upon US
Unjust burthcns which repress the energies Of
our people, restrict our means of providing for
the public education, and hluder the material
recovery OF the State. The government of The
uuled States by It's action prevented the State
from tuIh! ug It's oblg itluus; 1t interviewed dis
astrouSly between Virginia and her CREDITOR.
aud cut the body Of the debtor in twain with
the sword
In asking the United States to assume ard
discharge our State debt, or at least to so read
just its Own wulk as to relieve US of unfair
burtheDs, we are not involved 10 any discussion
Of the power OF the Federal government, under
ordinary circum stances, to assume debts of the
States We are invoking that government to
perform duty incident to war. and to exercise
authority Inherent III war-maklng power, by
adjusting the Incomplete acts aud uurectlh d
results Of war, and by adjusting them in ac-
cordaucc with lnlisputable principles and pre-
ccdeuts of'quity aud pnblic law. If the gov
eminent Of che United States should now, ia
the p1niudc OF its wealth aud power, restore
prospcrityto our State By assuming her debt,
Il paltry hurthen on the NATIONAL treasury, but
gilcynuS to Us IN our poverty, II would only IN
Stnall measure make return ior the vast dona-
ton with which the munifcenca Of Virginia
endowed the Union 10 It's weakness and Infancy.
TIE UNITED STATES AND TIE EDUCATION OF
THE CuLORED POPULATION.
Another unadjusted result of the war is
made manifest III the new aud enorm us burth-
ems imposed By the peculiar circumstances un.
der which Virginia aSSum IS the task OF educat-
ing her culorcd population aud administering
Justice aul,ug hem. Before their euancipa
ton, the cost of governing and administering
Justice among the cnorcd population, and OF
maintaining p#uprrs of that class was nainIy
and directly borne by the Shareholder Yet
now not only that charge, but the far greater
charge oil ,du.atiug the colured race, is lmp0s.
cd upon the public treasury, SO that oar burth-
Gus are cuoruuously increased at the time vi our
greatest mpovyrlshlncut aud depression AT
the date of the destruction of u large proper
ton of our taxable Resources, We are entrusted
with the care aud education Of more than a
half million of the wards of the .rion, with
out being provided with the Indispensable
means of Executing the trust
Let Us uot hc misunderstood. D:plorable
cons, uucuces must result FROM such custer of
Safe authority, as would be Involved III any
interference with the administration Of our
public schools by the Federal ( ..verument The
enforced application OF the evil rights, as com
mynly understood to our State schools, would
prove quickly destructive of the educational
system, arrest the eulig OF the coiored
race, produce continual irritation between the
races, countcract the paci6catlon and develop
mcnt now happily progressing, repe lmmlgra-
ton, greatly augment emigration, reopen
wounds now almost healed, engendcr new poll.
teal asperities, and paral we lhespower and in-
hu"ncc of the State government tor duly con-
trolling and promoting domestic Interests aud
preserving internal harmony.
Nevertheless, Justice, humanity and the best
interest Of the colored race and the country at
large, Invoke the common government to en-
able us 10 etfectuate its policy OF educating and
elevating our newly enirauchlsed population,
by supplying to the State the necessary means
to that end.
INEQUALITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF Ma
TloNAL CURRENCY.
The financial panic, or money famine, pro-
ductlve of such distress througOut the country.
is not new here 1t has with greater or less
severity prevailed 10 this State Tor years past,
in consequences of the intquitable distribution
of the national currency While soDe OF the
States have allotted to them several tunes their
due proportion of currency. Virginia is allowed
less than one third OF the amount 10 which she
is Justly entitled. Prior to the war. Virginia
had within her present geographical hunts
more than three times the amount uf her pre-,
sent barking capital and currency; and yet III
stead of this abrupt and ALARMING dlmputlou,
large incrcirse< of both WAS obviously detnaDd-
Ell by the revolution Ia business relations re.
sultirg FROM the emancipation OF The coiof"d
race 1t is too much to expect the tul rceu-
peration Of our business interests. or our con-
tinucd ability to yield required Federal and
State revenues, unless these enormous lncquall-
Ties are CUIIcClcu - ou CfSIy e'uSNS' az w"
Of Justice and interest, the Federal government
should either cause the State to be supplied
with Its due proportion OF nalioua currency,
or repeal the existing tax on State bank notes,
and thus empower US to provide Il circulating
Medium for ourselves.
STATE DEBT AND EXPENSES.
Will, recommend earnest efforts to carry
into effect the views and TO obtain correction nf
the grievances set OUT in this message, ii will
not become us to depend solely or mainly upon
assistance ard relief from the genera govern
,uent. The, surcst way to obtain help from
others is first to help ourselves. Obligations
to public creditors, binding the honor and good
faith of the Commonwealth, should he fulfilled
to the utmost of her ability in any event and
under all circumstances. M other calamity
could iuhict greater letrimeut, either moral or
p:cuniary, upon the whole body Of the people
than deliberate breach Of public honor. 1t
is believed 'thata proper scrutiny Of all appro-
I Il