Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1877-08-07
WINCHESTER July "a, 1877.
j. d. WEBB, NJ. D., EUGENE WEST,
lgA RAGIyI nlGIl co w

j. b. WEBB, NJ. D., EUGENE WEST,
ESQ, ROCKINGHAM Co., VA:
DEAR SIRs-Yours of the 23d in
slant just received.
| have never concealed my views on
the State debt. Whenever called up
on, they have been given to gentle
men in different parts of the common
wea tn.
l have chosen my own time and
convenience to make them public,
cOnceiving that it is an issue in no
way involved in this canvass belong
ing properly to the Legislature, not
to the executive.
| shall now however answer your
inquiries. and l cannot do so better
than by quoting from letter written
az far back rs the 18th of April, 1877,
and before this was sprung, to gem
tleman living in Augusta county.
"As to the State debt, am opposed
to reputation. / would not have
such stigma cast upon my State any
more than | would upon my private
fame. But whilst / am thus opposed
to reputation, for the same general
reason, / am in favor of some speedy
settlement of the debt, honorable To
our State and satisfactory to the credi-
tors.
This is important and pressingly so;
because the debt is increasing 10y rea-
son of interest, and because | believe,
so soon as we indicate the willingness
and ability to pay the interest prompt
ly, our Bonds will at once go to par
and capital and population flow into
our horders-and never till then.
Neither is coming to Bankrupt or n
dishonest Commonwealth
And for the same general reason, |
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 l am,
as the Cons tuition requires, in favor
OF a uniform rate. ] am in favor of
seeking new subjects, instead of heap
ing burdens upon the landed interest,
out of which, at last our wealth and
prosperity must grow.
We all have hope that this will be
done The State has improved much
considering her many trials, done
wonders sine the wal; and bright
future ia before ia, if we are true to
ourselves and to her.
But the road to prosperity is not
AlilOASiA NllC NAb'A VI TX lluNlNAi'lA
that is the road to her doom, Aud |
would not beckon her in that direction
for all the honor of any Office she may
have, or can confer. Indeed what
would the Office he worth. when won?
1t would be a barren sceptre' If not
disgracefuI prize"
so wrote on the 18th of April last.
| have so written in different lam
guage frequently since; | so think
now, rendered firmer in my convic-
lions by recent events-that are cast
ing the deepest shadows that have
ever yet fallen upon our free institu-
lions. And when we weigh the honor
and ability of Virginia, and consider
the high reputation for integrity
which she has always borne through
evil and good report, in adversely and
prosperity. l have great hope of set
tlement, which will not impinge up
on that fame and be perfectly satisfac-
tory to the creditors.
Whatever is done, ought to be done
speedily. This constant clamOr is uE-
setting business and throwing impede
ments in the way of the States pros
perity.
l have not sought the high office of
Governor with, at this time, its tre-
mendous responsibilities My friends
have done me great honor by thinking
me worthy of it,.
But if the people of Virginia are
nov resolved to go back upon re-
nown hitherto untarnished, by the
reputation of her plighted faith, they
must find some other than myself to
do their bidding.
Yours very respectfully,
FRED. w, NJ. HOLIDAY.