Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-12-10

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may say that we assumed trust to which we
were not equal, or were meanly faithless. We
have no right to transmit it, with accumulate
ing woes, to those who may occupy tine places
we now fill. The duty is on us !; believe we
can discharge it-discharge it without in.
fringing upon any constitutional provision,
and without fighting over legal technlcali-
ties, and without assuming or imposing bur-
decs too grievous to be borne. is not right
to postpone it, waiting for q better day that
day may never come. Indeed. the poat-
ponement is almost sure promise tn It the day
will not come. The burden Is constantly in.
creasing, and that very increase is warning
away OF aid which would otherwise come and
help US lift its weight. All this tine the
heart OF the people is growing faint, and
their yirtae is suffering in its own home, and
wherever on the earth it is power
There are only two ways open to rs Tor any
honorable settlement-by increasing the tag
es or by fair and friendly adjustment with
the creditors. ~. -5.s 81, --i47s
Between reputation or any settlement by
force on the one hand, and an Increase OF tax
alton on the o.her, would not for one mo-
ment hesitate. TIE former would bring
ruin the latter. however much suffering and
priyation it might cause for time, would, IN
the end. bring prosperity and peace.
1t would be wrong for lis to shrink from
full and square view Of this matter OF in
crease taxation. It is not the part OF wisdom
to unredectingly announce our favor OF In
creased taxation, without considering the
amount to be raised or our ability to bear it.
l think, in effect, this is quite as unwise as to
declare our opposition 10 any increase what
ever, without rejecting on the dreadful re-
suits that must follow.
To pay this large deficit, togetheF with the
back and accruing interest, would not. as
some quite lightly assert. require only small
increase OF taxation. 1t would require no
less than an increase Of from thirty to forty
cents on the one hundred dollars OF property
as at present assessed, or the finding OF Other
subjects, for which OF late so much dillgent
search has been made. and of which as yet so
few can be found. We must also remember
that large amount of these assessed values
are unproduetiye, and that they do not rely
resent the actual wealth OF the State upon
which there is no other incuWbrance than
the State debt. In addition to this Atate
debt are local and individual Indebtedness.
The local often exceeds the State tax, and
much property throughout the Common
wealth is morigaxed for the improvements
upon its surface, and which yet shows upon
the books as so much clear value, II Is wise
and right for those in office to consider these
things in making up calm anu impartial
judgment.
4 Somtimes we are referred to France as an
instance of wonderful vitality and her0ism,
which since the war with Prussia has not only
paid Off an enormous indemnify. Out, Oy
thrift and energy, Is to-day the most prosper
Gus of civilized countries. France Is worthy
of admiration and is an example for US IN in
tegrity, energy aud patriotism. But we must
remember that she has forty millions OF peo.
ple. with but comparatively small part OF her
country devastated or taken from her, anu
the residue in the highest state OF CULTIVATION,
with vast accumulations OF capital, ana w
nabited by skillfui labOrs and oitizens, whose
market is Christendom. Yet give her pi aise
for her heroic triumphs, and am not unwll-
ling to recognize in her the strongest proofs
of the true power of honesty and patriotlsp.
,, But think it would he mistake TO con-
trast Virginia with her. to the dtsparaSement
of Virginia. Ours is anew country, thiniy
settled, much Of it entirely uncnltivated, pr
cultivated under the greatest disadvantages
for want of capital, labor system in com
plete DISCRIMINATION, the whole land tor four
wears an immense battle field, every square
mile of which was pressed by the feet az eau
tending armies, tue sgrface Of the country
SWEET Of well nigh every vestige OF the ac-
foundations of generations IN the shape OF
material wealth or evidences Of higher Gull
ture and refinement. Tie people had to go
to work again, and not simply repair, but re-
store. bearing at the same time the resEonai'
hilitY Of a large debt.
Yet between the assumptiOn and payment
of that debt aud its denial in any form, or re-
pudation, there is and Gamble no choice. Bet
ter for Us as people to deprive ourselves OF
the comforts OF life ant. invite the DEBT lntQ
our ha1ses To partake Of our daily bread, than
60 ignore or renounce it. Even then We
would do no more, nor so much, as our an
cestOrs aud brothers have done to give us the
heritage of which We are so found Of boastiug.
The first Revolution closed after eight years
duration those who fought through, and en-
dured its trials imposed upon themselves, in
addition To other taxes, a tax OF one dollar
and fifty cents on the one hundred dollars IN
value of real estate, and dedicated It sacrelly
to the payment Of lsie public eht Of Virginia,
incurred IN the yinGcation Of a principle,
api afterwards protested against its a>sump-,
ton by the Federal Government uuder tile
present Constitution, need NOT say to men
who know it as well as |, aud whose War
records they would not tarnisl for the worlds
temptations, that when the whole truth CONES
to be written, the annals Of no nation show
the cheerful surrender OF so much money,
property aud precious life for Cause belicv-
ed to be true AID in value above price. They
cannot now barter it for the saving OF little
gold.
Scornfuly denying such an imputation, it
Is said that the people OF the Stat cannot
inn fov inn nf