The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-08
70 Tho Convention Convention. :

Editors Dispatch I won't say the hon.
or" OF Virginia Is mt stake, Tor that WORD
has been so often invoked for sinister or
Quixotic purposes as to be somewhat under
cloud; but her honesty is, and that IS
word OF proof that there are none 10 cues.
ton. Shall she pay her Just debts! Inat
is all and let the people once undeIstaho
that is the true and sole question, ana 40
not believe corporaPs guard could DC RAJ
lied to say no. AS no one disputes the
amount or justice Of the debt OF the pond
holders (of whom 1 am not one nor even
know any one that is), assume tnat we
owe it. but instead OF discussing our duty
in regard to it directIy-so often, ably, and
extensively, done already-proposet to Tort
ify the argument by showing how the lead
ing French statesmen OF their day viewed
the duty of France in somewhat similar
case.
The United States had claimed forty mil
lion francs from the French Government
for seizures, &C., under the Berlin decree,
which had been adjusted by treaty ut twen-
ty-fve millions, and the matter came before
the Chamber OF Deputies to provide Tor
paving it. Amongst other grounds urged
against it were that France had been left
m,ltilated and exhausted after long con-
test for common rights that it might have
been adjusted for twelve millions; that the
money would 20 to SPECTATORS" and that
"twelye millions would give them consid-
erablc profts''; and that ''refusal to pay
would only betoken 4 wish to have the
amount reduced"
General Sebastian, replying, said:
Twill not inquire, as some nave, Whetncr
this sum is or is not the very lowest with
which we could have satisfied creditors tired
with long waiting. 1t would be repugnant
Ito nv sense OF honor to follow upon that
ground certain insinuatlons not remark
able Tor their delicacv. / do not scruple to
proclaim aloud that after France had ac-
knowledgcd the Justice OF debt it was I'M
worthy of her to reduce it at the expense
of good faith, and, like dishonest debtor,
to endeavor by chicanery to lessen its Just
amount. [Applause.] have believed that
il it behooves great nation to be frugal in
its expenditures, it behooyes it still more to
be Jealous OF its honor, and that the Minis
ter OF the Crown should conduct himself
like IN honest man." [Applause.]
NJ. de Lamartne: The old maxim,
"Honcsty is the best policy" applies with
even more force to States than to indi-
yiduals. r+t It was with pain heard
gentleman recommend the policy which
looks not to the right, but the eXpedient,
and takes advantage OF weakness and oppor-
tunitv. The debt is just due, and we are
bound to pay it; and when the only living
man to whom neither France nor America
can object-General Lafayette-has him
self told You all justly owe thirty millions,
do you refuse twenty-five? There is
a diplomacy which negotiates with force;
which sports with public morals; which
leads TO Moscow and ends at Waterloo.
There is another which respects the rights
of others, that its own may be respected,
and which establishes the wealth, credit,
and prosperity OF 4 people.
These views, however, were not held to
be inconsistent with request for time.
When the American claims were first pre-
scented, in 1915, France seemed " sinking
under the burthen OF one thousand millions
OF other debts incurred, and which had been
acknowledged, in prosecuting the war Just
ended" NJ. dc Richleau, then Minister, not
denying the debt, requested that the pay
ment of it might be postponed to better
times" and "the United States suspended
all steps towards its recovery for five years.
Whether in our case n longer time to pay IN
should be asked or not is question when
neither nor the constituent body have ade-
quate data to wisely or Justly decide. 1t Is a
question, il there ever was enc, to be remit
ted to our representatives; and, not like
reputation, refusal, denial, or compulsory
diminution Of the debt, touching our
honor and honesty, should be left to
them, untrammelled and uninstructed, to
be decided with all the lights that can
be thrown upon it, SO as, with the assent OF
the bondholders, most to ease the public
burdens.
But do not believe we are on the Cau-
dine Forks !" Of Reputation ruin. Reduce
and still reduce salaries, and expenditures.
and officers. Tax whiskey and dogs. drink
the one and own the other; and, with in
dustry and frugality and the continued
favor of the skies. I have no doubt we can
both pay our debt and support our Gov
eminent.
write this in nobody's interest, but only
as comprehend it in that OF VIRGINIA.