The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-14
Communications.

1t is hardly presumed that there is single in
telligent representative OF the "last dollar men"
or ''funders, no matter how extreme, rabid or
fanatic, who will undertake seriously to deny
that large majority that, in fact the great mass
OF the people OF Virginia have been disappointed,
sadly, woesully disappointed by the late action OF
Gov. Holiday, in vetoing the Barbour bill. and
thus by one fell stroke, blasting their fond hopes
State debt question, and its removal from the
arena of politics forever and in single hour
putting his, foot upon, and ruthlessly quashlng
the result of months of earnest, laDorious, accu-
rate work of one OF the most industrious and
able Legislatures that Virginia has had in the
last two decades. But it is not the purpose of
this brief article to attempt criticism of the
motives of that high official. II he is prepared to
assume the responsibility OF throwing himself
along with few impractical obstructionists-
between the people and their almost per fected
plan of adjusting permanently and satisfactorily
this long vexed question, it is his affair, not
ours Neither is it the intention here OF discussing
the State debt question; the writer's convictions
being clear, conscientious and i'll full accord with
those OF the great majority OF the people above
Barbour bill, its conStitutionality &C., further
than to say it has been closely scrutinized, stud
led and passed fayorably upon by. some OF the
very best lawyers in this or any other land and
it were worse than idle to handy words with, or
TO combat again and again the oft repeated and
thrice answered arguments, stale objections and
hackneyed old charges OF some OF our country edl-
tors and small politicians who regard themselves
That gentry Who vocferonsly deciaTed that there
could be no 'pta4" of adjustment. and that the
very word adjustment carried with 1t suspicion,
and was "stench in the nostrils OF all honest
fOlks;'' but who, with wondrous tact and great
zeal (having gradually adjusted themselves to the
the times and circumstances have now become
the staunch supporters of the Brooke BILL and
cry loudly for adjustment Or if you please, for
REIMBURSEMENT, upon any plan that can be made to
cable obstructionists OF the real adjusters
scheme. no matter how proper, rational, eXped1-
ent. or Just 1t is really nauseating too, to hear
even one of the Metropolitan papers continually
prating within the last few days of the great ne
cessity of conciliatory measures in the Legisla-
ture, and of the immense Importance of settling
this question before the 18th inst, when that
paper knows that it has used every means in its
power, boil fair and foul, to defeat the very OBJ
Suppose the Brooke bill, or any other plan Of
adjustment had been carried, or shall hereafter be
are we, and the people of Virginia, to be indebt-
ed to the "fun 1er' alias last dollar men," will
anybody say? But we are all 'adjusters,'' say
We are DEPRESSING too far. II it be true that
the great body OF the intelligent masses, outside
the Commercial centres. and away from ring
influences, think and feel upon this vital ques-
ton, above indicated, where are, and who
during all these troublesome times, have been
their real friends? What portion of the great
press of the State has been battling for the peoples
rights How many and what papers have stood
up against such fearful odds, and, undismayed
amid taunts and jeers from high places, fought
valienty for the life of the State and the peoples
welfare? Who. in our, own Valley, and who,
crushing weight the overwhelming numbers and
powerful means and amid the insidious assaults,
and willy devices, and intimidating influences OF
an able, experienced and monied opposition. has
brsvely met every attack, has unweariedly borne
the peoples flag through all these dark hours.
and now stands at his post, cast down, but not
dispirited; disappointed it is true, but undismay.
ed and ready to rise again and renew the contest
Fellow-citizens OF Virginia, don't we owe it to
ourselves to stand by the Richmond Wing T? lam
sure we all appreciate the service it has DONE
and is still doing but it is our duty. in more tan
gible way to show our gratitude for one, confess
to a derelctiOn in this regard. just to read 1.-The
other side. have been taking during the entire
winter, one of Richmond's other dailies though
have no sympathy with its sentiments Others,
many others, have done likewise. Now. say we
owe it to ourselves and our great cause, as well
as to that noble and fearless journal, to make up
clubs for the ''Whig'' all over the country. Let
us put it into the hands and at the firesides
them. And we will thus aid in diffusing intelli-
gence. promulgating healthy political sentiment,
and, in some degree lend a support to an able
and most deserving journal, and one which, in
the present crisis, has surely shown itself to be
the able friend and advocate of the people.
AUGUSTA,