The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-31
roIoneI Holiday upon the fuDL .....l
~ 49, .-r-~-----.~.--~-,@~ EyefSF.

- ~: WINCHESTER, July "a, 1877. !.
.r y. Uebb, N. d., Eugene Vest Esq,
Rockingham county, Fd.: 3
( Dear sirs.-Yours OF the 23d instant Just
received. - - g. a.,
7 have never concealed my views on the
State debt. Whenever called upon they
have been given to gentlemen In different
parts OF the Commonwealth.
have chosen my own time and con-
venience to make them public, conceivlng
that It Is an issue in no way involved IN tnis
canvass-belonging properly to the Leglsla-
ture, not to the Executive.
! shall now, however, answer your lnqui-
ries, and cannot do so better than by quot
ing from letter written as far back rs l2Ih
OF April, 1877, and before this issue was
sprung, to gentleman living in Augusta
county: - ..-:. ~ ~'.,:
GAS to the State debt, am opposed to
Reputation. would not have SUCH Stigma
cast upon my State any more than Wouia
upon my private fame. But whist am
thus opposed TO reputation, Tor the same
general reason am in favor OF some speedy
settlement OF the debt, honorable to our
State and satisfactory to the creditors:
.sThis is important, and presslngly so {;
~
interest, and because believe so soon as we
indicate a willingness anG ability to pay the
interest promptly. our bonds will at once go
to par and capital and population flow into
our borders. And never till then. Neither
is coming to bankrupt or dishonest Com
monweath . - .'~ IT,.
"And for The same general reason L OF
course do not wish, any more than any one
else, heavy taxes for they, too, prevent the
advent OF capital and labor to our midst.
And whilst I am, rs the Constitution re-
euircs, in favor Of uniform rate, am in
favor Of seeking. new subjects, instead OF
heaping burdens upon the landed inter
est, out Of which, at last, all cur wealth
and prosperity must grow.
"We all have hope that this will be done.
The State has improved Misunderstanding
her many trials, done wonders since the
war-and bright future is before US il we
are true to ourselves and to her.
"But the road to prosperity is not
through the, door, OF Reputation that is
the road to her doom. And enld not
| bcckon her in that direction fofNall the
honor any Office she may have can confer.
Indeed what would the office be worth
when won. II would be barren sceptre
if not disgraceful prize
l so wrote on 18th April last. have so
written in different language frequently
since. so think now, rendered frmer in
my convictions by recent events; which
are casting the deepest shadows that have
ever yet fallen upon our free institutions
And when we weigh the honor and ability
OF Virginia, and consider the high reputa,
ton for integrity which she has always
borne through evil and good report, in adj
versity and prosperity, have great hope
OF settlement which will not impingt
upon that fame and be perfectly satisfactory
to her creditors.
Whatever is done oughtto be done speed.
| ily. This constant clamor is unsettIng bust
ness and throwing impediments in the way
Of the States prosperity.
have not sought the high office Of Gov
ernor with, ut this time, its tremendous re-
sponsibilitie>. Ny friends have done me
great honor by thinking me worthy OF it.
But if the people Of Virginia are now re
solved to go back upon renown hitherto
untarnishcd, by the reputation OF hcl
plighted faith, they must find some othel
than myself to do their bidding.
Yours, very respectfully,
. FRED. w. NJ. HOLIDAY.