Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-01-08

NO. 10.
If any one has dared to taint the hall O
legislation with these crimes let him b.
brought to trial and punished with tn,
utmost rigor of the law. Nor will it any
more pay the debt to weaken the stand
ing among the people of our highes
court by reflections upon its judgment
and integrity; "a court of which any
State might be proud-so learned, Sc
able, and so pure.
Nor does it pay the debt to plead tht
war save as touching our ability. Tha1
was of our choice, and hear no one en-
gagged in it complain of its losses, though
untold wealth was spent and SO many
lives lost, that Virginia is great battle
field and a great cemetery. After fou1
years of bloody fighting, the regret was
to see the flag furled even in the midst
OF and in view of more dreadful ruin
No complaint then of loss of property ;
only hope of victory. No complaint OF
suffering and privation, though famine
stared them in the face; only sorrow
for the fall. Were we willing now to
bear one hundredth part of what we then
bore, the debtlwould have been well-nigh
paid, and triumph equal to the victory
of arms would have signalized the pat
riOtism and devotion of our people.
But our people are not yet given over
l have not seen or heard of an individ,
ual hold enough to avow publicly or pri-
vately the doctrine of reputation. I
hope none of us will mistake the thing
for the name. But ought not those who
aspire to rule in public affairs be careful,
lest in the zeal of party they do not let
fall ideas which make the impression
upon the mind of the ignorant and un-
wary that it is more important to study
how not to pay, than how to pay the
debt. If not now, the demagOgue, shall
low and wicked, will soon be abroad in
the land, attacking like poison the vitals
of the State, and more dangerous than
an invading army. The latter unites,
the former dissolves patriotism. Not
that the little demagOgue long survives; /;
after he has done his work he is remit
ted to his original obscurity, and a
mightier than he rides and guides the
storm.
With such ideas in the ascendans, :,
strange picture Virginia would present.
A statute book full of provisions for the
protection of property and the enforce
ment of individual contracts; hundreds
of thousands raised by taxation and
spent yearly for the education of the in
genuous youths of the country. that they
NAV be fashioned into good citizens and
stalwart men, and yet he State that does
these things standing fraud!
believe there is no danger of such a
g., l.
moments of excitement or suffering
drift from her moorings, sober second
thought will restore her. Her people
are still earnest and true.
There is and can be but one excuse for
the non-payment of an honest debt-in-
for the individual in the
bar of public opinion.
No graver responsibility can fall to
the lot of men than falls upon us now
entering upon office in Virginia. This
debt issue has hitherto been overshad-
owed by the question of our return to
the Union, and the salvation of our To-
have been gained, thanks to the good
and wise of our State. There now stands
out in bold relief not only before our
this grave problem of the debt. Then it
was a question of Government; now it
it is question of honor. The former
cannot live without the latter.
Those who now enter upon office, can
not say that it is new and uncOnsidered.
They were elected because they pro-
fessed to know all about tit was made
the sole issue in the canvass. Even if
they wished, there is no way of shirk-
ing the responsibility. They have prom
ised to settle the troublesome matter
once and forever. I hope and believe
these promises will be fulfilled. Iknow
that, standing on high ground before
the eyes of the world, they dare not,
they will not wish to cast stigma upon
the name and history of our beloved
Commonwealth.
There is no counting the loss which
its discussion and unsettled condition
has inflicted on our State It has driv.
en- wealth and industry from our Dor
ders; it has created false views of our IL
abilities and resources. But, worse than
all else, 1t has lowered the grade of pub
lie morals, and cOnjured up spectres
from which are stretching the frightful
fingers Of Communism.
Now is the time to end is. 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 grand
est countries that the sun visits in his
diurnal circuit; long enough has it
hampered the growth of people pant
ing for q higher and wider power. 1t
ought now to be settled; and this Leg
islature, 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 Vir
ginia. Tt were better for that man had
he not been born. For when the smoke
of excitement has floated away, retribu-
tion, swift and sure, will follow like an
avenging Nemesis.
have an abiding faith. Virginia has
tided over greater troubles before. She
will triumph now.
Count the means to pay her debts, and
prove the inability of Virginia to NEE,
them. and there will be no trouble in
effecting q settlement with her credi
tors, hon ora BILE and satisfactory to b. oth
, Fhe heart of the world heats in sympa.
thy for her. Her heart has ever beat in
sympathy for whatever is noble and true
in the werld. If war, drouth, and Hood
have stripped her of her means, neither
one nor all have stripped her of he
good name. and when in her povert,
she gives What she can, no more will b.
asked.
But If she is able to meet her liahili
ties. no adjustment is wanted or needed
BY economy, retrenchmant, and self
sacrifice she ought 10 provide for them
| for so soon sc Shese are manifested, nev
wealth will flow in to her help, and hf
the burden. This has been the experienc
Eof other States with heavier debt an
less resources. know IL will be the ex
perience of Virginia.
With such spirit moving her people
who can predict the future of the Ol
| Comm or wealth? Those very lines {
communication which this debt was in
strumental in building, will be file
with fresh vigoA and will bring fort
with rejoicing the untold wealth no,
hidden and undeveloped. A new lii
will strengthen the people, stirred b
patriotism and pride; the Genius G
Virginia will rouse herself from he
| sl,,robo. itIfko another upnrn risop n