The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-14

chains Of communication. When misfortune
has befallen it, it is not ANY more beneath
its dignity to effect settlement with those
who trusted it satisfactory to them and
honorable to the Commonwealth
1t is hardly necessary for us, as against
them, to trouble ourselves about preserving
the life of the State-it is as much interest
to them as it is to US that it should be pre-
served. On it depends the payment of their
debt. And l am very sure, judging them
by the motives that ordinarily control hui
man actions. that there will be no difficulty
in reaching with them such conclusion
that life will be preserved and without loss
of honor.
Nor in arriving at this end do l think it
will be necessary to abolish free schools.
They have become part of our political
and social OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES through
our organic law. 1t has not been necessary
for me, nor do now assail them. What I
have before said and what l now say is, that
if the people want them they must pay for
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 subjects
of taxation have been exhausted after the
highest rate has been laid that can be borne !;
and still there is a deficiency, then comes
the time for settlement with the creditors.
And this is to be done in the spirit of con-
Citation by making fair exhibit of our as
sets and liabilities to those who have right
to know them. Is this any disparagement
OF State sovereignty? Not as have under
stood it. State sovereignty has always been
the keynote Of my faith, which gave tone
and charm to my political creed. But never
thought the State sovereign over justice,
truth, and right. On the contrary, it was
the recognition and the unfolding 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 agis. The cred
itors cannot be the enemies of the State, be-
cause by so doing they would be the enc
mics of their own interest.
Why not, then, gather up the knowledge
your committees have furnished, 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 satisfaction of the creditors, but for the
vindication 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 1 am sure not
gentleman of your honorable body will adj
nit the latter.
Arguments at long range do not close such
controversies. 1t puts the parties further
away from each other, begets animosities,
and hinders instead of aiding settlement.
10 say that anything is incapable of settle
ment, is to deny What occurs after every
war. Is it not possible for us to have it
without the bad fe cling and loss which war
entails? In these latter days war is never
sought till the measures Of peace have been
| eXha listed.
But if this General Assembly find that
they cannot come to conclusion among
themselves, would it not be well to collect
the material Of their long and laborious in
vestigations, and appoint a commission who
shall, after conference as far as practicable
with the creditors, report to its next ses-
sion? Let at least an effort be made to
close this troublesome matter on fair and
honest terms. If nothing can be done by
peaceable measures. it will be time enough
to talk Of war.
We will not despair. There is grand
history behind US there is cheering future
before us. We cannot barter either for tenn
porary gain. Both are priceless. l know
that long after you and shall have passed
into the land Of shadows, that future will
have become history. which shall not cast
any shame upon Virginia's brightest page.
FRED. W. NJ. HOLIDAY.
March Z, 1878.