Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-01-09

to II hiViC III pOi tdut " oiuuJ LON uOt
to pay than hoY to pay the debt? I'll
not now, the demag9- ue, shallow and
wicked, will soon be abroad in the
land attacking, like poison, the vitals |
OF the State. and more dangerous than
an invading army. The latter unites,
the former dissovlcs patriotism. Not
that the little demagogue long survives.
after be has done his work he is remit
ted to his original obscurity, and a
mightier than he rides and guides the
storm.
With such ideas in the ascendant,
strange picture Virginia would present.
A statu.e-bo full of provisions for
the protection of property. and for
the endorsements oCindividual contract;
hundreds of tnousandsraised by taxa
s;e., e.,i @i.4af yAoslr for the education Of
the ingenious youths Of the country,
that they may be fashioned into good
citizens and stalwart men, and yet the
State that does these things is a standing
fraud!
believe there is no danger Of such
result. However far Virginia may, in
moments of excitement or suffering,
drift from her moorngs, sober second
thought will restore her. Her people
are still earnest and true.
There is, and can be, but one excuse
for the non-payment Of an honest deLt
-inability-either for the individual in
the court OF morals or for the State at
the bar ofpubllc opinion.
No grayer responsibility can fall TO
the lot Of men than falls upon -us now
entering upon office in Virginia. Ills
debt issue has hitherto been overshad-
owed by the questions Of our return to
the Union and salvation of our local
sell-government. These objects have
been gained, thanks to the good and
wise Of our State. There now stands
out in bold relief, not only before our
selves but before the civilized world, this
grave problem ofthe debt. Then it was
a question OF government; now it is
question of honor. The former cannot
live without the latter.
Those who now enter upon Office cam
not say that it is new and mconsidered.
T1ey were elected because they profess
ed to know all about tit was made
the sole issue in the canvass. Even if
they wished, there is no way Of shirking
the responsibility. They have promis-
cd to settle the troublesome matter once
and forever. hope and believe these
promises will be fulfilled. | know that,
standing on high ground before the eyes
Of the world. tbcy dare not, the will not
wish to east 4 stigma upon the name
and history Of or beloved Common
. wealth. ,,.,-,,.,,
ITS discussion and unsettled condition
has indicted Oh our State. 1t has dry-
en- wealth and industry iIom our borders:
il has created false views ofour liabilities
and resources Bat, worse than all
else, it has lowered tse grade Of public
morals,and conjuredup spcctres from
which are stretching the frightiul fingers
of communism.
Now is the time to end it. Long enough
has It troubled the rest Of the good citi-
zen; long enough has it been hawked in
every commercial centre, making the
faith and credit of the State eQuiyocal;
long enough has it driven labor and
capital from one of the grandest cour-
tries that the sun visits in his diurnal
circuit; long enough has it hampered
the growth Of a people painting for a
higher and wider power. 1t ought now
to be settled, and this Legislature. fresh
from its discussion. has promised that
il shall be settled. Let that promise be
kent. There Is time enough in the pres
ent session. But woe to the man whom
that settlement betrays the trust or sells
the honor of Virginia. 1t were better
for that man had he not been born. For
when the smoke Of the excitement has
hoated away, retributlon, swift and sure,
will follow like an avenging Nemesis.
| have an abiding faith. Virginia
has tided over over greater troubles be-
fore. She will triumph now. Count
the means to pay her debts, and prove
the inability of Virginia to meet them
and there will be no trouble in effectin-
a settlement with her creditors, honor
able and satisfactory to both. The hear
of the world beats in sympathy tor her
Her heart has ever beat in sympathy iol
whatever is noble and true in the world
If war. drouth and food have stripped
her of her means, neither one nor al
have stripped her OF her sood name >an'
and when in ner poverty she gives what
she can, no more Will be asked.
But if she is able to meet her liabili
ties. no adjustment is wanted or need
J ed. BY economy. rctrenchment anC
/ self.sacrifce sle ought to provide to
them for so soon as these are
manifested, new wealth Will flow in tC
, her help and lift the burden. This has
t been the experience OF other States will
, heavier debt and less resources. know
+, it will be the experience Of Virginia.
With such a spirit moving her people
t who can predict the future Of the ok
r Commonwealth? Those very lines o
communication which this debt was in
slrumental in building will be flied viii
l flesh yigor, and will bring forth with re
ioi,ipg the untold wealth now hiddel
, Land undeyeloped. A new life vii