The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-05

.Ienpugf to 10 falisbeiow them aTd forgelin
Iexalted sentiment they ever carry, we oughi
Flo remember they bear d practical value
worth far more than pecuniary wealth, and
which money cannot buy. Aman or State
may have money and have no credit. Either
State or individual that has credit can eDrl-
lmand money. This | have occasion to
know and feel since I have occupied the
Executive Office. Though Virginia has not
reDudiated, aud does not intend to repu-
date; though know, and you know, that
the people are honest and will not tarnish
her reputation by so base an act, yet the
very discussion OF thi. question OF the State
debt, and the bitterness it has engendered
among the people, has begotten an alarm
that has prevented the advent OF capital and
labor to our borders and thrown cloud
over our heretofore bright name.
IL any class OF men in the Commonwealth
could, or would, from selfish motives, adyo.
cate reputation, it would be the friends OF
the public free schools, those who occupy
official positions in or derive their support
from them; for by reason OF the deficiency
or the revenues their existence is now
threatened. Yet I know OF none such. How
could there be, when daily they teach the
pupils who throng teen how they ought to
emulate the works Of those OF whom they
read, and who were ever in LIES highest
aims guided by truth and patriotisE? The
Superintendent OF the public free schools,
who am sure will not be offended if say
has belief in their efficacy for good which
amounts to enthusiasm. and who. whilst
laboring for their support and improve
ment with the energy Of devotee. sees
them now crippled, il not endangered, for
the want OF ftlnds, can yet not be diverted
by these pressing considerations from what
be believes the profoundest interest OF both
State and schools, and says, with the same
energy and force with which he protects
and argues for their benefits in his report,
which herewith transmit TO the General
Assembly, that
" REPUTATION IS MORAL DEATH-IT IS WORSE,
IT Is ETERNAL. DAMNATION."
| This is stronger language than | have used,
and more inciSive, probably. than was able
to use. but none too strong 10 show that the
ardent mind Of the Superintendent can see
how the most far-reaching benefits OF the
public-scnool system 60 hand.in-baDd with
| the preservation Of the honor and renoWn
OF the Commonwealth.
We thus see that every interest, even tie
largest, demands an honorable settlement
with the public creditors. This large de-
felt is due, aud Justly due. 1t will not do
to let it stand longer; it has been standing
thus for several years, and accommodating
with alarming rapidity. 1t ought to have
been settled long ago. There is respon-
sibiIity upon us to settle il finally, that no
after generation may say that we assumed 4
! trust TO which we were not equal, or were
mean,y faithless. We have no right to
transmit it, with accumulating woes, to
those who may occupy the places we now
ill. The duty is on us; believe we can
discharge it-dischargc 1t without infring-
ing upon any constitutional provision, and
without lighting over legal technicalities,
and without assuming or imposing burdens
too grleYOus to be borne. Il is not right TO
postpone il, waiting Tor better day; that
day may never come. Indeed, the post
Donement is almost sure promise that the
day will not come. The burden is con.
stantly increasing, and.that very increase IS
a warning away OF aid which would other
wise come and help us iif5 its weight. Al
this tine the heart OF the people is CROWN.
faint, and their virtue is suffering in its ow!
home, and wherever on the earth it is ;
power.
There are only two ways open to Us iol
anv honorable settIement-by increasing
the taxes, or by fair and friendly adjust
meut with the creditors.
Between reputation or any settlement
by force on the one hand, ard ~ increase
or taxation On the other, | would no
for one moment hesitate. The former
would bring ruin the latter, however
much suffering and p"ivation it might cause
for time, would III the end bring prosper
ity and peace.
It would be wrong for us to shrink from
a full and square view OF this matter OF II
crease OF taxation. 1t is not the part o
wisdom 10 rnreflectin9ly
ANNOUNCE OUR FAVOR OF INCREASED TAXA
TIcN,
without considering the amount to III
raised or our ability 10 bear it. think. II
effect. this is q.lite as unWiSe as to declare
our opposition to any increase whatever
without rejecting on tic dreadful result:
lint must follow. -,
\ TO nay this large deficit, together will
the back and accruing interest, would not
rs some quite lightly assert, require only
snail increase OF taxation. 1t would re
uuire no less than an increase OF from thirt!
TO forty cents on the one hundred dollars o
property as at present assessed, or the hnd
ING OF other subjects, for which OF late s.
much Qiligcnt search has been made, ana
which as vet so few can be found. We mus
also remember that Il large amount OF tncs'
assessed values are unproductire, and tina
they do not represent the actual wealth o
the State upon which there Is no o'her IN
cumbrance than the State debt. In addi
ton TO this State debt are local ana maj
viaual Indebtedness. The local o!'en OK
cecds the State tax, and much properly
throughout the Commonwealth IS mort
"aged for the improvements upon It's sur
face aad which yet shows upon the book
kas 50 much clear value. tits wise and RICH
FLOR those in office 10 consider these thing:
lin making I'D Il calm and imrariia! iuds
ment. u,.-vv,.-,,.
Sometimes we are rcierEe+as~-tso1'' FFfaTce 4!
an instance OF wonderful vitality and he
roism. which since the war with PTussl;
has not only paid off an enormous in
demnity. but by thrift and energy Is to-day
the most prosperous of civilized countries
France is verify OF admiration, and is at
example for Us IN integrity, energy, ana pa
triotism. But we must remember that sh'
has forty millions of people, with but com
parativeiy mail part OF her country defas
tated or taken from her, and the residue II
the highest state OF cultivation, win vas
Accommodations OF capital, and Inhabited by
skiIful laborers and citizens, whose marke
is Christendom. Yet | give her praise ioI
her heroic triumphs, and am not unwilling
to recognize in her the strongest proofs o
the true power OF honesty and patriotism.
But I think it would be mistake TO con
trast Virginia with her, to the. disparage
ment OF Virginia. Ours is new country
thinly settled, much OF it entirely uneuitl
waited, or cultivated under greatest dlsad
vantascs for want OF capital, labor system
in complete Reorganization, the whole lane
for four years an immense battlefield, every
square mile OF which was pressed by the
| ,aat ~ oopreudjpo armies the surface OIL