The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21
Farmers at Work on Public Affairs.

Farmers at Work on Public Affairs.
We call the attention Of the farmers and
business men of Rockingham to the pro.
ceedihgs of the Augusta Farmers Meeting
They do not, to be sure, suggest any cure
for the difficulties existing financially, on a
! distinctly methodized plan. But it is the
Inauguration of an association having that
| object in view by conference among them
selves, on the basis of the preservation of the
States integrity. and the reputation Of
frauds which may have been practiced.
These meetings would conduce much to
the benefit and intelligence OF members, IL
nothing else; an Interchange of views, and
the examination of views preliminary to ex.
pressing them. will be of decided benefit to
every neighborhood where the meetings are
located.
We call especial attention to the seventh
resolution adopted-in that sentence which
advocates the placing all State creditors Oh
the same basis. This is fair. we believe. and
it was doubtless designed to arrange the dis
crepancy which now exists between those
bond creditors who consolidated their inter
ests with principal, and those who did not.
This most important question has been the
theme of political dissertation for years. and
still it is Gordian knot. How this knot
was tied has been veXed question, too,
whether by fraud or stupidity, or both COM
bined. or whether it was sagacious states
manship; and the views of good men have
been diverse on this, and the same men have
changed their views as time developed facts
which were connected Herewith. One thing
is certain-that whilst when the Funding
Bill was passed, the people Of Virginia un-
der the then conditions of values and finance
| IN fhair of,f f1o-
ferred terms, now under present conditions
OF deprecated land values, financial dis
tress, increase Of public debt by unwise and
tardy legislation, the State can hardly pre-
serve itself, perpetuate itself, and sell out
the taxpayer to pay interests and the annual
expenses of the government.
Have our gubernatorial candidates any
plans of solving the public debt difficulty,
ard are they in harmony? 1t is question
that statesmen who would be willing to nc
cept the high office Of Governor could well
afford to exert their thoughts upon, and give
TO the people the advantage Of their conclu-
sions. that they might pass upon the same.
We shall :epublish these various State debt
bills in future impression. for we perceive
they are again to be made the subject OF cx-
cited discussion. rockingham Register.
The remarks Of the Register arc in strik-
ing contrast with the stricta6es Of the Lex
ington Gazette and Piedmont Ne,cs. They
are based upon what the farmers themselves
resolved, and not upon the unfounded infer
ences of others. They speak, too, for the
intelligent and substantial people OF that
grand old county Of Rockingham, the nur-
sery Of honesty and fair dealing. The peo-
| pie there do not want reputation, nor do
they favor the present disastrous policy that
must neccssitate repu liation, il persisted in.
They want to do what is right, morally and
legally, but they have no idea of being
crushed to death under such public infa,ny
as the Finding Bill embraces. 1t is the
issue of fraud and corruption, and is the
source of all the wrongs under which the
people are now grooming. The people have
the power, if they will only exercise the
will, to throw off the burden, or to 50 cripple
it that it will be harmless. Let them, as a
measure OF self-prcservation, undertake the
work without fear. favor, Or affection.
The Staunton VIRGINIAN complains chat
the press of the State has not published the
gusta farmers on the question of finance,
public debt, funding bill, &c. The produc-
ton is long one, but we suppose the spirit
which animated the participators justifies its
publication. We had SO designed but the
VIRGINIAN containing it has been mis-
placed Will the editor please furnish lis a
copy? a.-
We suggest that some scheme will be orig
mated by the gentlemen connected with the
association to carry into effect the views
they entertain. The cheapest plan to pay
the largest amount Of the State debt, the
best financial agent to secure the largest
/ amount of currency with the smallest
amount Of material! values. As we have
written in another issue, it is healthful
sign to perceive the farmers graphing with
these vexed questions, and thrustlng the
quack politicians out of the way, and il pos
sible out into the cold where they will never
again dabble with the business they cannot
comprehend, at large per diem for their
incapable, damaging services. Rockingh ham
Register.
| We haze complied with the request Of our
contemporary, and forwarded copy of the
paper containing the proceedings alluded to.
1t was our purpose to re-publish the first
editorial article Of the Register in reference
to the meeting of the Augusta Farmers, but
the paper was mislaid, and afterwards tt
escaped our attention.
| The editor of the Register is one OF the
| best thinkers in the State, and we know is
in sympathy with the interests Of the farm-
| ing and iaboring classes. He has always
maintained that the robust common sense OF
those who guide the pillow and push the
plane is capable of the soundest advice upon
all practical questions. The difficulty has
been that these classes have allowed the
demagogues to take control Of public affairs,
for the reason that they felt a reluctance to
appear prominently before the public in
connection with matters of State interest.
They are not accustomed to public speak
ing, nor are they trained to express them
selves in rounded sentences for the press.
But the solid, masculine sense, essential to
the welfare Of the State, is with them. What
is wanting, is consultation, comparison of
views, defined purpose and concert OF action.
When they have become interested in ques-
lions OF public Importance and feel the ne
cessity, as means of self-preservation, OF
making themselves felt, the ideas will come
forth, and receive shape, and be Impressed
upon the popular mind. 1t is, indeed, a
''healthy sign" when the farmers become
aroused to the condition of the Common
wealth and feel that they bavea public duty
to perform. The demagogue will retire be-
fore them, because he cannot face them with
his record of deception and broken promises.
Rather Startling.
The Huntington Advertiser has Just awak-
ened from an attack of the nightmare, in
which John W. Garrett sat astraddle of its
chest, and the Baltimore 6 OHIO Railroad
cars plunged ar o,,nd in its bedchamber. The
editor relieves himself thus, under the cap
| ton of San Infamous Scheme -
John W. Garrett, the Baltimore & Ohio
| Railroad Kfnn will soon oxun fIn U;rr;,,;o