Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-07-01
The Ladies and the Debt,

The Ladies' and the Debt,
On Wednesday, June 25th, at + p. m.' as
announced 10 our last issue. second meeting
of ladies was held at the residence OF th' late
Commodore Many, on Seventh street, between
Grace aud Franklin, in regard to the put'lc
debt, and further reunion of the ladies' "ho
have already expressed their interest 10 this
matter, aud such others as may be disposed to
mako themselves known to Mias Maury, is
called for Tuesday afternoon, July 9, at he
same time and place. Several very eloquent
aud dignifed letters were read from representa-
tive women of Virginia, and one or two res'u'
lions adopted which reflected tho hishcs'
credit upon tho spirit aotuating these ladies -
their noble effort. At present, however, tbs
movement is altogether too much 10 emOIYo TO
make detailed report oft desirable, ahd ~e'
therefore, decline to giye to the public nero
than general mention of its proceedings but
to the many who are disposed to derldo TIL.
move land wc are ourselves OF those VINO lec'
that it is as yet in its tendencies. dangerous
experiment. and in justice to the ladles ~n'
ha1s thus come forward, We would say shat tf
tone of these meetings and the type OF "om
seen there rs yet is not OF kind to excite def'H
ion or provoke amusement. The teens uIu''cS
~ /, .i.s lItlIv Dand OF champions Oh tho S!i''
Of common honesty, is one which could i: to
made to pcrvado the mon of Virginia would
do away with the occasion for any cooperation
or example from the fairer sex, and would ~
stOro at oncs the good rcputo ot tho public
credit. Whatever the women OF Virginia mry
accomplish 10 this matter by thoir patriotic
and we'll meant cndeavors, their efforts must
still be an eloquent exponent OF their lntegIlty,
an honor to Virginia and shame and dshoncr
to those, who false to themselves. to their poo
ple and their State have enrolled themselves
on tho side Of dishonor, and by thought, word,
or decd encouraged fer moment tho though:
of possible reputation. If tho women OF Vn'
ginis can accomplish anything 10 this matter it
bohooves them to do it, when from the care
less and inefficient handling Of men The bono'
of Virginia is iu jeopardy every hour. Let .htm
then be up and doing whatever they may ac'
complish for good. We bid them God speed,
and lot the results be great or small they nesd
blush not to own that they shave done ~has
they could. ."-Rlchmond Transcript
A correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch
says: If tho ladies of Virginia are "comln,r
to the rescue" it seems to me that ohe!r l'ud
able efforts to extricate the State from Its
hnanoia, ernbaraaaamant would be rewarded
with q creator degree OF SUCCESS il s,'~,
uere to do something to improve the market
value OF the bonds rather than attempt
raise fund for the liquidation of +.
debt. Doubtless numbo.a of patriotic lada
will cheerfully contribute to :4AnH4s5A.
fund, but much la-1,a1:S5Sa rc. .s6sa5s q t'.a
would be willing to sxe.11 w. SUMS 4
varying magnitude to a fuoa or PODS
to be applied to the purchase of bonds, TO b,
held for the benefit of the subscribers in proper
tion 10 the amount of their subscriptions. ir.
the one case there is the absolute surrender OF
the contribution in the other proprietary ID
terest would be retained, with the prospect o.
ultimately receiving back more than the orlXlna'
investment. The theory upon which ny sug
pestion is based is that if domand ior Virg'nh'
bonds be created the market value Will De en-
HANGED, and the nearer the approximation 10 pa
the stronger the credit of the state Will Decom
and with renewed and inylgorated credit u"
State will be able to sell new bonds bearing loS
rato of interest, and with the proceeds buy ana
extinguish the outstanding bonds. This demand
would assuredly be created if the ladies' IN eVeiy
county and neighbOrhood would form SINAI
associations for raising funds for the purchase
of State bonds in the manner indicated In1
effect of tho general diffusion throughout IIs
State of 8 direct personal interest 10 the fundei
debt and its ultimate payment would pa m"'
salutsry. Just as soon as the subscripLons bs-
came large enough to produce an appreclapl"
riso in the bonds spoculators would enter thf
field, and spirit of competitions would Do oe'
velonod which would send the bonds nearer u
mar than they have been since the war In'
ladies' associations could then "unload," as th'
brokers say, and when the prico fell could rem
vest and use the profits of the transaction IN puS-
ing additional bonds"