Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-01-31
Dr. surry's Address.

Rev. J. l.. NJ. Curry. DID,, delivered an
address 10 Richmond, last night 90 the moral
Obligations Of Individuals and States to Pay
their Debts" The house was packed, end
many persons were turned away. Among the
audience were prominent divines, lawyers, and
business men. The Governor and largo
number of legislators were also present.
The speaker said as laws were the educators
Of the public conscience, j State could not too
scdulously avoid everything OF questionable
propricty. When government acted dlshon
fibre Of society. Public crimes we're more nox.
ious 10 their irhuence than crimes committed
by Individuals Because Of this reflex ipAu
cncc governments should, if possible, have a
higher standard Of honor than private persons
The decentralization SO prevalent in bankrupt
oies, strikes, detalcaIion, we're traced 10 part,
10 the Influence OF vicious legislation.
A very easy transition, then, was from these
general and undisputed principles to the ques
lion of Viginia's Indebtedness. 10 pay our
debt was not a question Of legislation easulstry
or cxpediency. The debt was not contracted
under the pressure cf the war, nor by radical
or carpet bag government, but by Virginia,
when she boasted the highest civilization on
the continent. There was DO pretence OF fraud
or want of consideration. The abolition OF s!a.
very, the losses from the war, the partition OF
the State, did not release from the legal or mo
raj obligation to pay, and every department OF
govcrnmcnt-the legislative, Judicial, and cx
ecuive-had, since tue war. recognized lis va
lidity. Of the distasrcus effects of population
upon the material interests OF the State gloomy
picture was drawn.
The first steps taken by Dations as they
emerge from barbarism is to define and estab
lish the rights of properly. When they arc
| violated and contracts are impaired there arc
| no motives for industry beyond securing a bare
! subsistence. There is no difference in morals,
| or in the results upon labor and wealth, Of IN.
reference with the rights Of property by iudl
yidua wrong and the strong and oppressive
| hand of government. Not to pay our debts will
stop immigration of valuable citizens, arrest
| the flow OF capital, depreciate the price. CT
| lands, ADD lessen our ability TO produce and to
| pay. Ii the State educate the people to avoid
| honest Indebtedness she may expect IN return
| to be cheated, and the decentralization will be
| evaded taxes, diminished assessments and less
confidence between man and man. The speak.
| or was emphatic 10 the declaration that while
capital was limid aud sensitive, it could gene.
! raily take care of itself L2borers were moro
Interested than capitalistsir the right solution Of
| this paramount question, and 10 the preserVa-
| ton cf the bonds of integrity aud good faith.
| The speaker said that By birth hs was not q
Virginan, but had sought to win citizenship by
training tho young in principles, vital to their
well beng, and by instiling sense Of the duty
of this educstion of ali classes in university col.
| lepes and public schools. For census or for poll
tag man may be called Virginisn, irrespec-
tive Of character, or loyalty, or honesty; put
| true analysis demands something more and bet.
ter for citizenship than mere inhabitancy or the
tae spirit of Virginian-to be assimilated to
her gonius to honor, her history, - !oTc
her traditions to BIZ true 10 her honor.
There might ba bodily presence. q natal
6ond and moral discord and seinage OF
hosrt ltafIinity with The Utmost life OF the
land, Willingness to make sacrifices for her hon
or, pride in those immortal pages which record
the struggles for and triumphs Of civil and rcll.
| gious liberty, quick beating pulse at the men
ton Of imperishable names and historic fields,
and q conviction that with wise laws, stainless
name, developed industries, sustained schools
and institutions OF learning, brighter diadem
Of glory will crown her than ever rested on a
nations brow-if these things make VirgInisn,
ho claimed tho proud designation, and had come
with Glial love and devotion, TO say earnestly it
might he, but not unkindly what in his heart he
deemed Of vital import to the Commonwealth
| He asked whether any native Virglnlan could
| hesitate to Gin him-an Sdopte1 son-ln the
| prayer that God would forbid that the Insignia
of Vireinis's sovereignty should evor be used
TO cvads tho obligation of an honest debt,
should ever be tainted with dsh0nor, should
over ho affixed 70 q legislative lia.-Richn1oad
| State