Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-03-12

Dur political and social structure-inter-
woven through cur organic law. 1t has
not been necessary for me, nor do now
assail them. What I have before said
and what now say is, that if the peo-
pie want them they must pay for them
out OF their own means. 1t is the only
way to make them valuable to this and
coming generations.
Thus, after the expenses have been re-
duced to the lowest rate; after the sub
jects Of taxation have been exhausted
after the highest rate has been laid that
can be borne and still there is defici-
ency, then comes the time for settle
ment with the creditors. And this is to
be done in the spirit of Cancellation by
making fair exhibit of our assets and
liabilities to those who have right to
know them. Is this any disparagement
of State sovereignty? Not as I have
understood it. State sovereignty has al
ways been the keynote of my faith,
which gave tone and charm to my po-
litical creed. But I never thought the
State sovereign over justice, truth, and
right. On the contrary, it was the re-
cognition and the upholding of them
that made her sovereign. So it is now,
and ever will be.
1t is, then, no disparagement to that
high claim to lay the facts before the
creditors. Terms will soon be reached.
They have no interest to impoverish
or destroy the State. Their interest is
to build it up and enrich it. They have
as much interest in this as the citizens
who live under its ngis. The creditors
cannot be the enemies of the State, be-
cause by so doing they would be the
enemies of their own interest.
Why not, then, gather up the
knowledge your committees have fur.
nished, and make proposition based
upon that knowledge? Not by simple
declaration, but by proof open to all
men. This is not only due for the sat
isfaction of the creditors. but for the
vindieation of our own honor to the
world. | can see no difference between
an array of force with an open or covert
threat. and downright reputation.
And am sure not gentleman of your
honorable body will admit the latter.
Arguments at long range do not close
such controversies. Tt puts the parties
farther away from each other, begets
animosities, and hinders instead Of aid
ing a settlement. To say that anything
is incapable of settlement, is to deny
what occurs after every war. Is it not
possible for US to have it without the
bad feeling and loss which war entails
In these latter days war is never sought
till the measures Of peace have been
exhausted.
But if this General Assembly find that
! they cannot come to conclusion among
| themselves. would it not be well to col
lect the material of their long and labo-
rious investigations, and appoit COM
mission who shall after conference as
far as practicable with the creditors, re-
port to its next session Let at least an
effort be made to close this troublesome
matter on fair and honest terms. IF
nothing can be done by peaeeable meas
ures, it will be time enough to talk OF
| war.
| We will not depair.. There Is grand
| history behind us; there is cheering
| future before US. We cannot barter
either for temporary gain. Both are
priceless. knew that long after you
and I shall have passed into the land OF
shadows, that future will have become
q history, which shall not cast any
shame upon VirgiDia's brightest page.
FRED. w. NJ. HOLIDAY.
| March Z. 1878.
| DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO IN KENTUC-
KY.-On Saturday week, tornado,
bearing destruction in its course, swept
| through Casey county, Kentucky. The
family of Vincent Wesley, near Reep
Hill, consisting Of himself, wife, two
grown daughters, boy named Sloan,
his nephew, and William Taylor. a
neighbor, stopping at his house, were
killed outright. Mrs. Wesley's body
was blown 400 yards her clothing en-
tirely stripped off. The two daughters
were carried 30 yards, and were found
locked in each others arms. The father
and nephew were fearfully mangled, and
all must have been killed by the first
force Of the tempest. The dwelling, sta
bies, and out-houses were blown entire
ly away. The hearth and foundation
stones were blown from their places. In
the vicinity Mrs Olive and Mrs. Nor
gan, wife of John W. Morgan, were kill
ed, and the dwelling and outhouses of J..
| Floyd completely swept away, and the
timbers scattered in every direction. In
the village of Mount Olive several houses
We're swept away. Loss, $4,000.
| LEGISLATURES DIFFER.-The Legis
| lature of last year declared by resolu-
| ton that the present session would be
the first biennial session under the
amended constitution, and the present
Legislature declares that it is not-that
the first biennial session will be that OF
the General Assembly to be elected Oh