The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-27
"a [For the Diypatch.]
The Debt, nnds Vino Is Hurt by It.

The Dcbt, au0s w RO - hAEs ~ ."
Some poor people hate capitalists. THAT'S
natural. q IA
The debtor hates bis creditor, more or
less. That's natural too.
Countycourt politicians ana country
store philosophers tell; the people That our
public debts 4 great big net, covering every
man, woman, and child in the state ana
that the creditors have only to draw II and
they will be squeezed to death. or, again,
they say that the State bonds are little cords
attached to rings in the noses OF every man
In the State. So the people don't like the
bondholders, or, a. they would have it, the
cord-holders.
Again, they make the people think that
the public debt is "A grand account, en-
bracing every mans debts; and they make
them believe that reputation is the year OF
jubilee that will set every one free, make
everybody comfortable. and give everybody
everything eXeept-creditors, people who
happen to have anything owing them.
They will have their spoil snatched from
their teeth, and be driven away into the
lake that burneth with fire and birthstone.
All creditors are supposed to be cruel by
nature. So "Shame, shame upon credl-
tors Shame upon all people who lend or
trust, hoping to get their money back -
say the thieving demagogues who do not
pay their own debts. ... '..-. ,r.
How much better if the poor Of us could
be made to know what the public debt is!
The State-that is. the Governments
bound for it, and has got to pay it after q
long time, when most OF US will be dead.
Its existence only shows that our foreiath-
crs were very enterpriSng and Respectable
people, in high credit everywhere, and that
they bad great confidence in us-theT pos
tcrity-and great care OF us. so they DOT
rowcd money and built works for their ana
our benefit, expecting us, like decent peo-
pie, to pay our share. ... s.. s.n.. -.
Our big debt shows what sort OF people
old Virginians were. What pity il repu-
diation should show what sort OF people
new Nirginians are .,.
1t would take about one halt OF the taxes
to enable lis to do our duty in protecting
our credit and character il matters were
well managed. We would not have cent
less to pay in taxes If the debt were thrown
off. The probability is that the Legislature
would be more lavish than ever, anu pre-
sently have to tax us more heavily merely
to keep upa slovenly, thieying government
that ought now to be required to cover all
orr expenses and do our duty.
EVERYBODY knows that cheating and eN-
travagance go together. Who believes that
the high-fliers at the White Sulphur and the
other fashionable resorts have left their bills
settled: Who don't know that large
number OF the higher-fiers OF them have
expectant dress-makerS, and tailors, and
croccrs. and butchers, and school-teachcrs,
anxollsly looking for their return to home
and honesty! "a.
1t takes no prophet to foreteIl that il Nir-
cina is relieved OF her honest obligations
bv dishonest means she will very soon be
overwhelmed with taxes, the immediate
and necessary consequence OF the protliSacy
and waste Of those who know nothing OF
good management or justice. or crcdifT or
character.
Yours, ONE OF TIE PEOPLE.