The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-02
sDNEsDAY MORNING. JANUARY 2. 1878.

JANTL Z 2. 1878.
public affairs to be careful lest in The zeal bi
Il party they do not let fall ideas which make
a the impression upon the mind OF 1.-THE igRo.
4 ront and unwary that it is more important
\ to study how not to pay than bow to pay
the debt9 Hnot noW.rsS
1 THE EDEMAGoGUE, SHALLOW AND WICKED,
!. will soon be abroad In the land attacking
Hike poison the vitals OF the State, and more
1 dangerous than ain invading, army. The
latter. unites, the former dissolYes pa
i ltriotisrn. Not that the little demagogue
long survives. After he has done his work
he is RENTED to his original obscurity, aud
1 q miglltier. than he rides and guides the
storm. ..- II -sA.s st
Il With such ideas in the ascendant, q
strange picture Virginia would present.
i A statute book fun OF provisions for the
protection OF property and for che e'enforce-
ment OF individual contracts; hundreds Of
thousands raised by taxation and spent
yearly for the education of the ingenious
! youths OF the country that they may be
fashioned into good citizens and staIwart
men, and yet the State that does these
things standing fraud - i
/ believe there is no danger Of such a re-
Isult. 8 However, far Virginia maj, I'D mo
ments Of excitement or suffering, dfist
from her rnoorinss, sober second thought
willrestore her. Herpeople are still earnest
land true. gs. g
There is and can be but one excuse for
the non-payment OF an honest debt-in-
abilitY-either for the individual in the
court OF morals or for the State at the bar
ofapublic opinion.
No greater responsibility can fall to the
lot Of men than falls upon lis, now enter
ing upon Office in Virginia. This debt issue
has hitherto been overshadowed by the
question OF our return to the Union and the
salvation OF our local self-government.
These objects have been gained, thanks to
| the good and wise of our State. There
now stands out in bold relief not only be-
fore ourselves, but before the civilized
world, this grave problem OF the debt.
Then it was question OF government; now
IT'S QUESTION OF HONOR.
The former cannot live without the latter.
Those who now enter upon Office cannot
say that it is new and unconsidered. They
were elected because they professed to
know all about tit was made the sole
|
there is no way Of Sinking the RESPONSE
bility. They have promised to settle the
troublesome matter once and forever. I
hope and believe these promises will be
fulfilled. I know that, standing on high
ground before the eyes Of the world, they
dare not-they will not wish to-cast a stig-
ma upon the name and history OF our be-
loved Commonwealth.
There is no counting the loss which it's
discussion and unsettled condition has in
ficted on our State. 1t has driven wealth
and industry from our borders; it has cre-
ated false views Of our liabilities and re-
sources. But, worse than all else, il has
lowered the grade of public morals, and con-
jured up spectres from which are stretching
the frightful fingers Of communism.
Now is the time to end it. Long enough
has it troubled the rest Of the good citizen;
long enough has it been hawked in every
commercial centre, making the faith and
credit OF the State equivocal; long enough
has it driven labor and capital from one Of
the grandcst countries that the sun visits in
his diurnal circuit; long enough b has it ham,
pered the growth OF a people painting for a
higher and wider power. 1t ought now to
be settled; and this Legislature, fresh from
its discussion, has promised that it shall be
settled. Let that promise be kept. There
is time enough in the present session. But
woe to the man who in that settlement be-
trays the trust or sells the honor Of Virginia.
It were better for that man had he not been
| born for, when the smoke of excitement
has floated away, retribution, swift and sure,
will follow like
| AN AvENG1EG NEMESIS.
have an abiding faith. Virginia has
tided over greater troubles before. She
will triumph now. [Applause.]
Count the means to pay her debts, and
prove the inability Of Virginia to meet
them, and there Will be no trouble in effect
ing settlement with her creditors, honor.
able and satisfactory to both. The heart OF
the world beats in sympathy for her. Her
heart has ever beat in sympathy for what.
ever is noble and true in the world. II
war, drouth, and flood have stripped her OF
her means, neither one nor all have stripped
her of her good name, and when in her
poverty she gives what she can, no more
Will be asked.
But il she is able to meet her liabilities
no adjustment is wanted or needed. BY
economy, retrenchment, and self-sacrifce
she ought to provide for them; for so soon
rs these are manifested new wealth will
flow in to her help and lift the burden.
Lids UdS DeGu Luc cAE)C1lCHCC VI OtHCi
States with beaver debts and less resources.
know it will be the experience of Virginia.
With such q spirit moving her people,
who can predict the future Of the old Com.
monWealth? Those very lines OF commu.
nication which this debt was instrumental
in building will be filled with fresh vigor,
and will bring forth with rejoicing the un-
told wealth now hidden and undeveloped.
A new life will strengthen the people,
stirred by patriotism and pride. The genius
OF Virginia will rouse herself from her
slumber, stlike another morn risen on mid
noon," and her latter day will be more glo-
rious than her former.
There was time (has that time gone 2,
when to be citizen Of Virginia was a pass.
port wherever he might travel. Shame
never mantled his cheek, but only the glow
OF pride-which made him feel like the Ro-
man in sight OF the Eternal City-that TO be
Virginian was greater than to be king.
May God give US strength to aid in hold
ing up this bright ideal! Let us rise and
quit ourselves like men, and, initiating the
virtues of our nlustrious ancestry, be earnest
\ and true. ss,-.t...-.s ss..- -..s... '.....
THE NEW GOVERNOR.
Governor Holiday speaks decidedly
we'll. His presence is commanding and at
tractive, and his voice falls upon the ears o.
the hearer very pleasantly. His hair j;
, touched with gray as becomes a man o
fifty years, but he is not oldisll-looking. A:
his right arm was amputated close to IN
shoulder he does not have the advantage o
: being able to use many gestures. AT times
however, when he becomes little eXcltet
and wishes to express himself earnestly ant
, decidedly, he uses his left arm with grea
,