Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-12-10
$s72,2e2 ~

This sl,742. S65.S2 does not include the
annual interest due on bonds held by the
Literary Fund, full interest on which would
be $S4, 349. GA, as shown by the report OF the
Second Auditor. II this item be added to
the first statement of interest as above the
total annual deficit would be 1854. 952.92.
This is, every one will admit,
AVERY LARGE DEFICIT,
which must be met, and must be met honor
ably, by the State. 1t cannot be said before
the General Assembly, however unrefecting
men may at large talk, that this debt is
without consideration, or has any other de-
feet, actual or technical. Happily that mat
ter is closed, and hope Forever, by the re-
peated declarations Of your respected body !;
nor have we the pretext, shallow though it
would be, that the consideration was lost by
the war. That consideration stands to-day ;
and could it by some magic process be lifted
out of the State, instead of abstracting its
mere sum, it would take away many times
its amount from the values OF the Common
wealth. Indeed, it would leave Virginia.
with all her endOwments and resources,
equal to those OF any other area, vast will
derness. In any direction we may travel on
its surface, we see how that consideration
has gone before us, and strengthened and
But whilst this purely material view is
based in fact and cannot be controversial, [
regard 1t as small, if not insignificant, in
comparison with that higher view which
ought to impel us, as the representatives OF
the State, to uphold her integrity because it
is right, I will not insult you by asserting
that single member of the General Assem-
bly, would be so faithless to the history OF
Virginia, as well as to his own Obligations.
as to knowingly vote for any measure that
would cast shadow even OF discredit upon
her name. Yet the ear is offended constant
~ by reflections or insinuations that there
may be some other things more desirabie
than honor, and that they who uphold it are
impelled either by selfish motives or nlmsy
sentimentality.
1Iknow that the profoundest and most honest
emotions may be undermined by the willy
demagogne. l know that tho deepest and
most sacred of those emotions is that love OF
country founded upon it's history and the no
BILE works of Our fathers in the old time be-
fore us. 1t is worth more than material
wealth. Such wealth can be rapidly accu-
mulated, and as rapidly lost, and the pow
ers educed in amasslng it are not ofth high.
est order. But the fame OF State is tue
outgrowth OF the experience, sufferings, and
blood OF generations OF men, and their words
and deeds are the richest heritage. The
people ought to value it above any earthly
possession, for 1t Is the monument OF the
glory, which will survive the material works
OF the generation which wrought it, and be
an example and guide to their descendants.
and promise OF the greatness OF the coming
race. The man who murders his fellow suf-
fcrs the penalty OF death. What shall be
done with the mau who, for selfish, ignoble
purposes, strikes. T
A BLOW AT THE HEART OF THE sTATE?-
State, too, which, when you consider the
short course OF its life, has not been sur
passed by any other in the whole range Ut
the worlds history.
do not regard these references as empty
words. | think in such active. materialistc
times as these they contain the weightiest
considerations that can engage the attention
OF those who fill high office. And when we
meet with one who treats them lightly. we
may be assured he is unworthy Of them, and
needs to be watched. Aud then we mean
enough to fall below them and forget the ex-
allied sentiment they ever carry, we ought to
remembe: they bear practical value worth
far more than pecuniary wealth, and which
money cannot buy. A man or State may
have money and have no credit :-either State
or individual that has credit can command
money. This have occasion to know and
feel since have occupied the Executive Of
fee. Though Virginia has not repudiated,
ana does not intend 10 repudiate though |
know, and you know, that the people are
honest and will not tarnish her Reputable by
SO base an act. yet the very discussion OF this
question Of the State debt, and the bitterness
it has engendered among the people, has be-
gotten an alarm that has prevented the adj
vent CT capital aud labor to our borders and
thrown cloud over our heretofore bright
name.
If any class OF men in the Commonwealth
could, or would, from selfish motives advo
cate reputation, it would be the friends OF
the public free schools, or those who occupy
official POSITIONS in, or derive their support
from them: for by reason of the deficiency OF