The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-08
Gators Richmond Dispatch:

BUFFALO LITHIA SPRINGS.
July 5, 1878. 81
Gators Richmond Dispatch:
:. f.n either side he onld dispute,
Cpafu;e, change hands, and still coGfuie.S tas
In your issue OF July lst appears most
remarkable instance OF editorial inconsist-
ency and ingratitudc-viz.. your comments
upon the resolutions passed by the people
Of Mecklenburg at their last County Court.
I deem 1t proper to state that | was not
present at the meeting; consequently, being
uninformed as to the interpretations; put
upon the sixth resolution by its trainers, /
cannot endorse it, Neither do | endorse
literally the, seventh. But that the venera-
BILE "GamalieI" OF the Dispatch, at whose
feet tie people OF Meckienburg for years
past have learnt the doctrines inculcated in
those resolutions, should go far forget his
own record rs to denounce the legitimate
offspring Of his own teaching besgars pc
lief, There is an unfitness in 1t that
deserves severe rebuke. The DaSpdtch IS
by far the most extensiye'y-circuiated pa
per in the county, and to its teachings as
sert are due the views OF portion OF the
resolutions. in confirmation Of my asser-
ton would refer the gentleman to his
many and well-written editorials at the time
of the passage OF the resumption act; later,
to those on the repeal OF said act, and on
the silver bill. He will find literal en-
dorsa:ion Of the seventh resolution in bis
able articles in advocacy OF the National
Government completing the James River
and Kanawha canal, the Southern Pacific
railroad, and especially In those urging the
General Government to take possession OF
the tclecra,,hic and railroad systems or the
country. Now, Dir. Editor, in all candor,
do not think it Just or decent to denounce
the good people OF our county as fools ana
knaves simply because they are consistent
to the teachings they have imbibed through
their worthy Instructor. With your teach
ings VIC have been taught through another
source that 50 honesty is a diamond bright;
consistency is 4 jewell
Some people grow no wiser by consider
ing, but are only the more firmly "sot IN
their ways" but cannot believe that my
venerable friend belongs to that Class, not.
withStandiso his past Inconsistencies, and
I would urge him-and through him the
bendbo,ders-to consider and heed the
warnings given by the Meckcnburg and
Abingdon meetings. Listen no longer,
beseech YOU, TO the whispers OF se!i-interest,
but rise to that plane OF patriotism ana
craftsmanship that the times demand. 1t Is
one Of the golden maxlms OF the federalist,
which deserves TO be held in everlasting re-
membrance, that ''iustice Is the end of so
cietv.o 1t ever has been and it ever Will be
pursued until il be attained or until liher-
ty be lost in the pursuit. There is "the
conceit OF knowledge without the reality"
ms OR funding friends will learn 10 their
cost. With an insolent assumption OF WIS
dom that is unique they press upon tue
people the legality and business OF the fund
ing act. We are seriously told by our solons
of the executive, legislative, and judicial
departments OF the State that we are bound
bv every principle OF honor to father and
adopt this abortion Of legislative iniQuity-
this ethical "Caliban - Of modern legisla-
ton. BoaStingly we arc tainted with the
fact that we have been bound over, hand
and foot, and handed over to the tender
mercies OF our IordIy masters, forgetting
that. while individuals may be bound by
laws OF writing and oppression, that com
munities-neTer. Organized communities
are governed by their own will this never
fails to override any laws that may come
in conflict with it. Especially is this
the case when venality and cunning
combine for the purpose OF expressing the
many for the benefit OF the few. The g logic
OF events" will assuredly bring about one OF
two tblngs-a total reputation OF the State
debt or total bankruptcy OF the people
pecuniarily, morally, and Intellectually.
"The wayfaring man, though fool,'' can
easily predict the end when the issue is
forced upon the people. And now, Mr..
Editor, in all kindness let me urge you,
while it is yet time, to turn from the error
Of your ways; use your influence for fair
and equitable settlement OF the debt, and
all will yet be well. When bad men COM
bine, the good must unite; and remember
that the only laws that have sufficient tena-
city to hold against a heavy popular pres
sure are the unwritten laws, such as the
Roman civil law and the English common
law. "Self-preserva ton is the first law OF
nature Old, trlte, and true. W. A. j.
To the charge that we have ever adVo-
Gated such utterly nonsensical ndVisionary
schemes as those approved in the Mccklen-
burg resolutions we offer flat denial. We
say that the assertion is destitute OF ali foun-
Gation IN truth. Our files are accessible to
anybody who thinks that he can find such
teachings in them. Our correspondent is,
we believe, what he claims to be-an old
friend and subscriber to the Dispatch, and
will OF course do us the justice either to
withdraw his charge or substantiate it by
the proofs. His "prooiS,' however, when
presented, il ever they shall be presented,
will show that he has entirely miSapprc-
hended what we have said upon these sub
jects, il indeed We have ever written upon
them.
"W. A. j." refers Us to the fact that we
have advocated the repeal OF the resumption
act. so we have; and we have always OPP
posed the policy OF contraction. We would
do the same now. But what in the world
have these facts to do with the issue by the
Government Of two thousand millions or
so.called "dollars" OF irredeemable green
backs, or the giving to the people OF five
hundred millions CT the same sort Of cur.
rency with which to pay their taxes? The
Government may well be able to keep $3.50,
100000 OF greenbacks at or near par, and
totally unable to keep five times that amount
in the same condition Of usefulness. We
are surprised that any man should pretend
to be able to find in our teachings in the one
case any Inconsistency with our teachings
in the other. We also advocated the silver
bill; and we did we'll. Had Congress failed
to pass that bill, the greenback lunatics
would have carried the country by storm,