The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-09-09

For the virginian.
States Rights,

MesSrs Edtors-Will you give me space in
your valuable paper to present to your readers
some facts in the history of the South, and of
the acts of the Democratic States Rights party
which may start the question in the minds of
the people: That if such has been its policy
and acts in the past, what may he expected
from it i'll the future, if clothed with power?
Now, look at the facts: At the beginning of
secession, in 1861, the Indebtedness Of the Sc
ceding States, and their contingent liabilities,
amounted to Sl02, SIG, III, and they held funds
and assets on deposit. bank stocks, railroad,
&C., amounting to $40, 147,747, a bank capital
of over s61, 100000, and $1S. 100000 in coin,
with circulation Of say $5l 100000 The as
sessed valuation OF property, real and person.
al, Including slayes) was 81, 1863, 900, AL These
figures show the wealth of those States when
msled and maddened by inflamnatory appeals
and Misrepresentation, they rushed into the
war. Now let us see after a period of four
years Of untold hardship and suffering, the loss
sustained by war brought on by following
the leaders Of this party. The loss in the vail
uatlon OF property was. 749, 627 ,9lS
Increase of valid Debt. 80, 763, 3O6
Reduction in trust funds, &c........ 81, 146 45S
States debts in aid of the war....... SO, 267 ,947
Debt OF Southern confederacy,
April l, 2, 345. 297 1923
Total loss. 1852, 403, 532
Besides this was tie loss in human life of
countless thousands, and as many more nlaim-
ed and crippled, for life, and the thousands
upon thousands of widows and orphans now
scattered homeless and friendless, whom dol
lars and cents cannot compensate or restore.
This party held out golden promises in 1860
'6l which were never realized, but instead
came bankruptcy and ruin. Yet, notwith-
standing all this,we find men who advocate the
same nawise and hurtful doctrines to-day
State sovereignty is supreme. How ridicu-
lous! The South should shake off its prejudice,
burn its idols created and perpet1ated by De-
mocracy from the foundation OF the national
government to the present.
The most surprising thing is the fact that
that class of politician Of which the Hon. A. II.
Fl. Stuart is a distinguished representative,
should now, after long life of brilliant SER
vice in his opposition to the States Rights Dc
mocracy, be in the party led on by those whom
he has denounced as intriguing to overthrow
the constitution and laws which cement the
national union.
That States Rights is still the sentiment OF
the Democratic party VIII appear to any un-
prejudiced mind who will refer to the acts of
the party in all its history to the present day.
This fatal hercsy shonld have died with the sur
render of Lee and johnson and been buried be-
70 I'd the reach OF resllr 'ction.
The Republican party, although it may have
its defects in the administration of govern
ment, Though we think it will compare favor
ably with that of any Of its predecessors can
in the future, as it has been in the past, be
trusted by the people. It's broad and comprc-
hensivc policy, together with its progressive
principles are those whicllsu Americans and
which will continue to be the controlling
thought and action of all who have the bests
interests OF the whole country i'll view.
We hope your readers, farmers, mechanics,
in fact, all men, will read aud pol-
der the array Of figures which we have herein
set forth.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.