Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-05-07
The Unanimous Declaration of the High
est judicial Tribunals, State and Fed
eraI.


! We laid before our readers on Wednes-
day the unanimous opinion of the Court
of Appeals of Virginia upon the subject
of public faith and the inviolability of
contracts. We reproduce this declara-
ton below under the idea that nothing
can benefit the people more than the
frequent recurrence to cardinal princi-
pies that are the very foundation of pub
lie virtue as well rs public peace and
safety. This declaration, as we said be-
fore, is quoted and affirmed by Judge
Staples in his dissenting opinion, and is
therefore made the unanimous declara-
ton of the court of last resort in Virgin
ia. We repeat it, as follows:
"Let me say, in conclusion, concur
now. as 1 did then, with Judge Chris
tim in what he said in the homestead
cases-'the inviolability of contracts,
public and private, is the foundation of
all social progress, and the cornerstone
Of all forms of society wherever enlight-
ened Jurisprudence prevails and con-
cur with him now in what he has said
on that subject. Good faith is essential
er can bejust or permanently prosperous
without it. Upon that subject my own
voice, feeble as it is, can never have any
uncertain sound"
Thus saith the Court of Appeals, and
thus it presents to the people of Virginia
code OF morals that is at war with any,
| thing like reputation, partial or COM
plete, and at war with all faithlessness.
1t is an anathema of all sorts of avoid
ance of honest obligations, public or
private, and every species of artifice by
which money is obtained by false pre-
tences and withheld from the lawful
owner, by whatever name it may be
called.
And now, fellow citizens, we append
the declaration of theE r.,L
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES.
1t is complete and vigorous. There is
no uncertainty, no doubt, about it. tbs
honorable to the highest court in the ma
| ton, both for its moral orthodoxy and
| its legal justice. This declaration, read
Immediately after harangue from re.
pudiation or fOrcible-re-adjusting dema-
gogue, would scatter his chaff to the
winds and drive him like thistle down
before the storm. This declaration is
made in the opinion of the Supreme
Court, quoted by US yesterday, in the
case of Murray against the city of
Charleston" That opinion, we conjec-
ture, was written by Chief Justice Waite.
1t is elegant in style and irresistible in
logic. The declaration alluded to is as
follows:
| 'There is no more important provi-
sion in the Federal Constitution than
the one which prohibits States from
passing laws impairing the obligations
l IO0ntrqntC ic Of srho
duties of this Court to take care, the pro-
hibition shall neither beevaded nor frit-
tered away. Complete effect must be
given to it in all its spirit. The inviola-
bility OF contracts and the duty of per-
forming them, 0s made, are foundations
of all well-Ordered society, and to pre-
vent the removal or disturbance of these
foundations was one of the great objects
for which the Constitution was framed"
Is there any one who can't understand
this2 Is there any frog-pond of croak-
ing re- e-adjusters within the broad limits
of Virginia that will not be hushed by
this majestic declaration, this terse
! statement of the nature of public obliga-
| ton, and the inviolability of contracts
| We appeal to the people to reperuse
these declarations, and ask themselves
| II they see how the State of Virginia
l S<@AA 'AOAeSsS hSt III NlCW "
these clear and indubitable definitions
Rich. Dispatch.
The following advice to gossips is CIV
en- by SpurgeOn
Gossips Of both genders, give up the
shameful trade of ftale-bearing; don't be
the devils bellows any longer to blow
up the fire of strife. Leave off setting
people by the ears. If you do not cut
off your tongues, at least season them
with the salt Of grace. Praise God more
and blame neighbors less. Any goose
can cackle, any fly can find out sore
place, any empty barrel can give forth
sound, any brier can tear mans flesh.
No flies will go down your throat if you
keep your mouth shut, and no evil
lspeaking will come up. Think much,
but say little; be quick at work and
slow at talk, and above all, ask the
great LORD to set watch over your lips
/