Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-03-05
SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER

hope from its future growth, the Consti-
tuition does not put it on any higher
ground than the debt then owed. 1t
could not without absolute qualification.
Its trainers and the people who adopt
ed it saw no virtue in an education for
their posterity of the means of getting
which they would ever be ashamed
They looked upon the debt as too high
a dignity thus to be treated, because it
was an obligation then in being, and
recognized as having both legal and
moral force. And in that very instru-
ment which the bill calls the fundament-
al law, and of such binding power, they
acknowledge or provide for the payment
of the then and now existing debt in
six separate clauses. That the whole of
an instrument must be taken toget her
to arrive at the intention is
CANON OF CONSTRUCTION
we learn in the horn-books. To save
the makers and endorsers, think that
they ought to have the benefit of that
canon.
But the friends of the bill say that the
amount of tax is specified within GER
tain limits, which shall be laid for the
support of free schools, and which is
binding on the Legislature. So much
the worse for their argument. For the
Constitution does not limit the amount
which shall be laid for the payment of
the debt, and which is at least none the
less obligatory.
| cannot, therefore, see how the pre-
amble saves the bill, either upon the
ground of necessity for the preservation
OF the States sovereignty and existence,
or the obligation of the organic law. 1t
lis fat denial ofthe latter in its refusal
to carry out its provisions for the pay
ment of the debt.
NOR CAN I SEE
how the fifth clause brings any relief. =
In my view l am not aware of any DOW
er in the Legislature to take away or
force the creditors ito compromise their
legal rights" And if it had, would it
be any solace, after having used it, to
say it was not meant? Nor is it any
more solace, after having in this very
act taken away those rights. to tell them
1t is only done with purpose to Sc
cure an adjustment of the debt" Is
there any better time than now to carry
out that purpose?
This bill does not help to that end. 1
am sorry to see no peace in it. 1t is a
proclamation of war against those to
whom we are in debt. It is an array of
the will of the Legislature against the
rights of the creditors. Under the Con-
stitution of the State we have sworn to
support there isa tribunal to decide that
issue. Beyond the State there is
ANOTHER CONSTITUTION TO OBEY,
which, as the supreme law, our oaths
equally bind us. Under it's provisions
there is tribunal to which there is ap-
peal. These have both spoken. Why
seek them again, even though sure of
effecting reversal, when we can try to
''secure an adjustment which will bring
peace without loss of time or credit?
Is it beneath the dignity of the State
to look upon it as a plain business mat
ter? The creation of the debt was so.-
Why not its payment or adjustment !?
1t is not by indirect or doubtful ways
that things that are good and great are
done. 1 am very sure you do not mean
such ways though the world might
think you did, and that by some subtle
alchemy you intended to dissolve that
golden chain which, however or wher-
ever We may go, must always bound and
bind both States and men.
FRED. w. M. HOLIDAY.