The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-14

Certainly, there is nothing in it to justify
the conclusion that it will be adequate to the
demands of the Virginia obligations, as row
constituted. The reference to it by our CO.
temporary is q very 1limsy excuse for its as
sauit upon the Farmers of Augusta.
The assumption by the Gazette that the
movers in the meeting of the 10th were in
fiuenced by the same motives which gov
erned the lobbyists who operated against
the ."Punch bill," is entirely gratuitous.
So far as we know, the Farmers of Augusta
favored the bill, and are now anxious that
the experiment shall prove successful. They.
however, do not regard that as sufficient
reason for them to manifest the same indif-
ference to public affairs that has heretofore
characterized them, nor is it an excuse for
them to disregard the unsettled status of the
Virginia debt.
The insinuation is unjust. as we'll as to-
tally unsustained, that political aspirations
were at the bottom of the movement of the
Farmers OF Augusta. Both the Gazette and
Neios have been misled in this respect; nor
were those who were instrumental in getting
up the meeting connected with any opposi-
ton to the Punch bill," or cooperative
action with the lobby interest. We doubt
whether thought Of the "Whisky Punch,
or the advancement of any legislative aspi-
rations entered the mind of single man
who was prominent in the movement.
The Gazette admits that the present condi-
ton Of the State is enough to excite the con-
Germ of all good citizens-so much so that it
condemns its own party for its shameful
mismanagement Of public affairs, and the
evident tendency towards reputation that
has followed its legislation. Why condemn
the Farmers Of Augusta, then, when they
make an attempt to arrest this ruinous
policy, and ask the cooperation of the tax
payers of the State, whose property, in COM
mon with their own, is mortgaged for the
States obligations, in an effort to correct the
evils under which the Commonwealth is
now groaning?
It is well enough for the partizan organs
and the professional demagogues to under
stand that the movement inaueurated by
the Farmers Of Augusta is not to be arrested
by misrepresentation. The people, ire
spective OF occupations, are in sympathy
with it. 1t has for its object the redemption
Of the State-the publication of legislation
the settlement of doubt-and the final adj
justment Of public obligations. 1t means
that the position of all aspirants for public
trusts must be understood upon this vital
matter, and that the next Governor and the
next Legislature must look the condition of
public affairs squarely in the face, and deal
with it as fair and just men should deal with
it. The future of the Commonwealth de-
ponds upon it-labor interests are involved
In it, and everything affecting material de-
velOpment and growth demand it. We do
not think there should be much fear that
one set of demagogues will be exchanged
for another. 1t Is possible that designing
men will endeavor to thrust themselves into
the councils and sympathes OF those who
feel as the Farmers of Augusta feel. But
they will be watched, and held up to public
gaze when they attempt to cover their selfish
purposes and inherent insigniicance by a
movement prompted by the highest consid-
erations Of public policy.