The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-21

great CRIME, pOlut 10 single suggestion or
act that looked to reputation Of a single
dollar of the money expended to construct
our improvements and charitable institu-
tons. You cannot hide yourselves behind
a single excuse for the stigma you have
placed upon the people, of disposition to
repudiate silver of what they had Dor
rowed. All that was ever asked was that
the interest be adjusted so that the people
could meet it without self-destruction. Their
condition was before the. world. Their
long and bloody and devastating struggle in
arms was known to all men. No defense
or field that trembled under the shock Of
battle can be invoked to testify against their
courage or honor. They were true then
AMI they are true now, and it is cowardly
and unmanly for those who are cognizant
of their suffering and the destruction which
they endured to intimate that they are not.
There is then no proposition to repudiate
or invalidate single dollar of the original
debt, but inasmuch as the debt has been
capitalized, it is regarded as fair and just
that the interest should be proportioned to
the terms of the original debt, and that the
creditors of the State recognize the justice
and propriety of it. This is so because the
people are not able to pay more, and. furth-
er, they do not intend to pay more. They
mean TO hold the sentimental honor men,
who have audaciously slandered them, to a
strict accountability and do what they recog-
nize as right and within their m cans for the
creditor. If those who hold the bonds are
wise they will accept the terms of the Jaw
as passed, adjust themselves to the inevita-
BILE, and thus be saved the necessity of con-
fronting a more formidable invitation.
The real condition of the State must be
considered. The ability Of the people to
pay must be measured. It is useless to ig-
more these practical facts to crafty senti-
mental nothing. 1t is wrong. to taunt the
South, OR any portion of it, with the blum.
der of secession, and rail at it because of
the consequences. We cannot fathom the
causes which brought about national dis
|
that landed its cargo on American shores
to the moral ideas and forces put in motion
through the instrumentality of Wesley and
afterwards Wilberforce, ringing down the
ages to stir and stimulate the mission OF Re-
ligion and Philanthrophy. Gods hand was in
it all, and neither section more than the
other can BIZ blamed. 1t was destiny-the
working out of the purposes of Providence
in human development and the spread Of
moral truth and light. We must deal with
the exact facts as we find them, and adjust
them to the practical business rules OF life.
When the people are willing to pay what
they can, and say how much that is. 1t is
useless to seek to go behind that. 1t must
be met and recognized, and wisdom exercised
in treating it. Neither the ''honor" Shrek
ers nor the creditors should expect more.
1t would be madness to demand more, and
leave the question over for even the present
Legislature to again tackle. to say nothing
about the temper of the people, should it
again be submitted to their determination.
The people will not only protect their ''hon-
Or" but they will see to it that their political
existence is not imperlled. and that their
tradrcers are made to feel that it is no in
different matter to assail them as ''repudia-
tionists," when their highest ambition is to
reclaim not only the character of the Com
monwealth, impaired by the operation OF
the Funding bill, but to protect the rights
and interests of the creditors.
A Significant Result.
The result of the election in New Hamp-
shire on the 18th has forcble significance.
The Republican Convention which nomi-
mated the State ticket adopted platform
in which the President and his policy were
heartily endorsed, and Governor Prescott,
with like emphasis, placed himself square
ly upon an acceptance of the views of the
President in his treatment of the Southern
States. 1t was in New Hampshire that
Hon. w. E. Chandler first attacked chat
policy: and from this fact it was believed
there would he such dissatisfaction among
Republicans as to ensure the success of the
Democratic ticket. The complete triumph
of the Republicans. electing the Governor,
and large majority in both branches of the
Legislature, was surprise to Republicans
and Democrats, for the latter confidently
calculated upon the success Of their ticket.
We may reasonably draw the inference
from the fact stated that the Republicans OF
the co2ptry cannot be swerved from their
convictions as to the principles of the party
by any mere difference as..to administrative
policy. The New Hampshire Republicans
had faith in the President, believed in the
high motives which govern him, and that his
alm is to accomplish through Republican
instrumentality the peace and quiet OF the
country. The President believes, TOO, that
there is nothing in the principles of his par.
ty inconsistent with the best interest of the
whole country, and that the time had come
to demonstrate to the world that the Repub.
lican party was equal to the demands oil
peace as it had been to those Of war. We
can we'll see how earnest partizans. without
the responsibility Of high administrative
duty pressing upon them, may differ with
the President. We can accord to them
sincere convictions In this, inasmuch as their
surroundings are such as to render it entire.
ly polite to insist upon strict adherence
to rigid party discipline as means of local
success, because success could better be at
tanned through an appeal to old issues and
old policies. The President has higher duty
to perform. He has to crown the history oil
the Republican party with Union restored
in fact as well as name, with sentiment
of national attachment. and respect prevail
ing in all the States, the South as we'll as
the North, and the cultivation OF common
ambition to serve the cause of that Union
as that best calculated to promote the hap
piness and prosperity of all. Speaking from
Southern standpoint, we but assert what
we know, that this sentiment has taken
deeper hold upon the people in the last
twelve months than in all the time inter-
vening since the surrender at Appomattox.
Partizan rancour and hate have measurably
abated, more catholic and rational feeling