The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-03

III a39 ~ ss II III ssass
0ls ss4ts ii The
history OF N,.ssssi, ner Governor was IN
augurated with great pomp 9nd ceremony.
At II o'clock . long military and civic pro-
cession march through the principal streets
of Richmond to the Capitol. The music was
headed by the Stoncwall Band. under Prof.
Turner. Prominent In the procession were
the two Staunt0i. military companies. The
display was very imposing. In his inaugu-.
raj address, Colonc! Holiday has the follow
ing in reference to the State debt. After
asking "What 'ilinders Virgina?' he says ::
The excitement which aroused and troubled the
people in the late CANVASS answers for nothing
was heard on every huStingS anG court house
green but the sole absorbing question OF the
State debt. What of it +? States have been in
vived. Is it a Just debt, and has the State re-
ceived consideration for it? have never heard
GRAFTON. 1t was maze before the war. and is now
represented by public improvements, without
which Virginia would be a slough of despond !;
with which, she is ready to enter into rivalry with
the strongest of her sister States. She gave her
bond for it at o time when her word would be
taken, and her credit pass in any market in the
world. And upon that word and credit means
were got which were spent i'll opening up her
vast resources.
OF Il State is above price. 1t cannot be measured
by money. The character of q Commonwealth
marks her place among nations and is the guide
OF the individual growth and destiny of her citi-
ZenS. The law is q SchoolmaSter and it will de-
termine whether the citizen is to be vicious or
vlrtuous. generation or so of bad legislation
may change people from q highminded and non
orabe race into depraved and dishonest IN zen.
Nothing so soon accomplishes this unhappy end
sanctity the whole framework of society rests.
from the sacred bond that ties the family, to the
strong and subtle cord which binds in harmony
otherwise Earring elements i'll the unity OF gov
eminent.
This should guide every one who is called to
take part in the counsels of the State. Especially
| is u IS true in a republican form of government
like ours. Without virtue it cannot survive
force must take the place OF reason. And the
man who thinks he can use such tricks to gain a
petty end will find when too late that everything
| is lost. The hope and only hope of republic is
| the recognition OF the sanctity of contracts and
the binding obligation and supremacy OF law.
! Our duty, then as good citizens, IS 70 uevlse
means to pay the debit not to lind ways TO avoid
it. 1t will hardly pay it to criminate some former
Legislature by general charges OF bribery and
| legislation with these crimes let him be
brought to trial and punished with the utmost
f1gof OF Inc law NC nor VIII IL any more pay
pie of our highest court by reflections upon its
| Judgment or integrity; a court OF which any
State might be proud-sO learned, so able. and so
pure.
Nor does it pay the debt to plead the war save
as touching our ability. That was OF our choice,
losses, though untold wealth spent and so
many lives lost that Virginia is a great battle,
| bloody fighting, the regret was to see the flag
| furled even in the midst OF and in view OF more
| dreadful ruin. Nocomplant then of loss OF prop
| erty only hope Of victory. No complaint OF suf-
| fering and privation, though famine stared them
in the face; only sorrow for the fall We're we
| willing now to bear one hundreth part of what
we then bore, the debt would have been we'll
nigh paid. and triumph equal to the victory Of
arms would have signaliZeu the patriotism and
| devotion OF our people.
| But our people are not yet given over. | have
not seen OF heard OF an individual bold enough
| pudiation. hope none OF us will mistake the
thing for the name, But ought not those who
| the zeal OF party they do not let fall the ideas
| which make the impression upon the mind Of
| tant to study how not to pay, than how to psy
| the debt. If not now, the uemagogue, shallow
| and wicked will soon be abroad in the land, at
/ lacking like poison the yltalS OF the State, and
more dangerous than an invading army. The lat
| ter unites, the former dissolves patriotism. Not
that the little demagogue long survives after
he has done his work he is RENTED to the origi-
nal obscurity and q mightier than he rides
and guides the storm
/ With such ideas in the ascendant a strange
picture Virginia would present. statute book
full OF provisions for the protection of property
| dreds of thousands raised by taxation and spent
yearly for the education OF the ingenious youths
|
| good citizens and stalwart men. and yet the
| State that does these things a standing fraud.
i believe there is no danger of such a result
| However far Virginia may, in moments of excite
ment or suffering. drift from her moorngs, sober
| second thought will restore her. Her people are
No graver responsibility can fall to the lot Of
men than falls upon us now entering upon office
| i'll Virginia. This debt issue has hitherto been
overshadowed by the question Of our return to
the Union, and the salvation of local Sef-goy-
| eminent. These objects have been gained thanks
q n NV
| stands out in bold relief not only before our
selves, but before the civilized world, this grave
| problem of the debt. Then it was question of
| honor. The former cannot live without the lat
ter.
t Those who now enter upon office, cannot say
that it is new and unconsidered. They were
| elected because they professed to know all about
| tit was made the sole issue in the canvass
Even il they wished, there is no way of Shirking
| the responsibility. They have promised to set
| tie the troublesome matter once and forever 1
! hope and believe those promises will be fulfilled
| 1 know that, standing ON high ground before the
eyes OF the world they dare not, they will not
| wish to cast Stigma upon the name and history
!. of our beloved Commonwealth.
| There is no CT uniting the loss which its discus
sion and unsettled condition has inflicted on our
State. 1t has driven wealth and industry from
our borders it has created false views OF our
liabilities and resources. But, worse than all
else, it has lowered the grade of public morals,
and coniured up spectres from which are stretch
ing the frightful fingers of Communism.
the me- tune met to =, END lit aong aGag has
enough has it been hawked in every commercial
centre, making the credit OF the State equivocal
long enough has it driven labor and capital from
one OF the grandest countries that the sun visits
in his diurnal circuit long enough has it ham
pered the growth of people painting for ahgher
and wider power. 1t ought now to be settled
and this Legislature, fresh from its discussion,
has promised that it shall be settled Let that
promise be kept. There is time enough in the
present session. But woe to the man. who in
that settlement betrays the trust or sells the
he not been Born. Fer Wen the smoke of excite
ment has fioated away. retribution, swift and
1 have an abiding faith Virginia has tided over
greater troubles before. 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 etfectng settlema mt with
her creditors, honorable and satisfactory to both
Her heart has ever beat in sympathy TO, whatev-
er is noble and true in he world. If war, drouth
and flood nave stripped her OF her means, neither
! one nor all have slipped her of her good name
and when in her poverty she gives what she cam
| no more will be asked.
| But il she is able to meet her liabilities no adj
| justment is wanted or needed. BY economy.
trenchment, and self-sacrifce abe ought to pro-
new wealth will flow in to her help, and lift the
burden. This has been The experience OF other
Know it viii be tie experience Of virginia
| With such spirit moving her people, who can
| predict the future OF the old Commonwealth !?
| Those very lines of communication which this
debt was instrumental in building, will be flied
with fresh vigor, and will bring forth with reioc
oped., new life viii strengthen the PEOPLE
! stirred by patriotism and pride; the Genius OF
| Virginia will rouse herself from her slumber,
like new morn risen on midnoon,' and her lat
| ter day will be more glorious than her fofIcer.
There was time (has that time gone p when to
be citizen Of Virginia was passport wherever
o he Glow Of pae Mhch made mas @
feel like the Roman in sight OF the Eternal City,
that to be Virginian was greater than to be a
King.
| May God give us strength to aid in holding up
this bright ideal, Let us rise ard put ourselves
like men, and initiating the virtues OF all Illus
trous ancestry-be earnest and true.
Sale Of Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad.
It is announced in the papers that the
Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad will be sold on
the Cd of April next. This is an Important
notice, ard means .hat She western connec-
tons Of ti,is great enterprise arc to be. at